Rabies Vaccinations – Do I Need the 3-Dose Course?

Rabies is rare in the UK, but it remains a serious risk for travellers visiting parts of Asia, Africa, Central America and South America.

Rabies is usually spread through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. Dogs are the most common source worldwide, but monkeys, bats, cats and other mammals can also carry the virus. When symptoms develop, rabies is almost always fatal, which is why prevention and prompt treatment after a possible exposure are so important.

For some travellers, having a rabies vaccine before travelling is recommended. In the UK, the usual pre-travel course is 3 injections.

How Much Does the Rabies Vaccine Cost?

At Dr Wayne Cottrell & Co in Canary Wharf, the current cost is:

The vaccine is normally given as a course of three injections before travel.

What Is the Rabies Vaccine Schedule?

The standard UK pre-exposure schedule is usually:

• Dose 1 – Day 0
• Dose 2 – Day 7
• Dose 3 – Day 21 or 28

The NHS advises that rabies vaccination is usually given as 3 doses over 28 days. Where there is less time before travel, alternative schedules may sometimes be considered following clinical assessment.

Because the course takes several weeks, it is sensible to arrange a travel health appointment well before your departure date.

It is recommended that you seek travel vaccination advice ideally at least 8 weeks before travelling, particularly because some vaccination courses take time to complete.

Who Should Consider a Rabies Vaccine Before Travel?

Not everybody travelling to a country where rabies occurs automatically needs vaccination.

The decision depends on your destination, length of stay, planned activities and access to medical care.

TravelHealthPro advises considering pre-travel rabies vaccination particularly for people who:

• Are travelling to areas where rabies occurs
• May have limited access to appropriate medical treatment
• Are travelling for longer periods
• Plan activities that could increase their chance of animal exposure
• Work with animals
• May be cycling, running or spending significant time outdoors in higher-risk areas

Children can also deserve particular consideration because they may be more likely to approach animals or may not always tell an adult immediately if they have been scratched or bitten.

Do I Need a Rabies Vaccine for Thailand, Bali or India?

Rabies remains present in several popular travel destinations, including parts of Thailand, Indonesia and India.

Whether vaccination is recommended depends on your individual itinerary.

A traveller spending a few days in a major city with easy access to medical care may have a different risk profile from somebody spending several weeks travelling through rural areas, cycling, trekking or visiting places where post-exposure treatment may be difficult to obtain.

This is why travel vaccination advice should be based on more than simply the name of the country you are visiting.

What Does Pre-Travel Rabies Vaccination Actually Do?

One important point is that having the vaccine before travelling does not mean you can ignore an animal bite or scratch.

You still need urgent medical advice after a possible rabies exposure.

However, having completed the pre-exposure course simplifies the treatment you may need afterwards.

Someone who has not previously been vaccinated may require a longer course of vaccine and, depending on the exposure, rabies immunoglobulin may also be recommended. Rabies immunoglobulin can be difficult to obtain in some parts of the world.

That can be particularly important if you are travelling somewhere remote.

I Have Had the Rabies Vaccine. Do I Still Need Treatment After a Bite?

Yes.

This is one of the most important things travellers need to understand.

If you are bitten, scratched, or an animal licks broken skin while you are abroad, you should seek medical attention even if you completed the full rabies vaccination course before travelling.

Pre-travel vaccination prepares your immune system, but it does not remove the need for post-exposure treatment.

What Should I Do If I Am Bitten or Scratched Abroad?

If an animal bites or scratches you in a country where rabies is a risk:

1. Immediately wash the wound with plenty of soap and running water for several minutes.
2. Apply an appropriate disinfectant if available.
3. Cover the wound loosely.
4. Seek local medical attention urgently.
5. Do not wait until you return to the UK before getting advice or treatment.

TravelHealthPro specifically advises starting appropriate post-exposure treatment abroad when recommended rather than delaying treatment until you come home.

Keep a record of any vaccines or other rabies treatment you receive abroad and speak to a healthcare professional again when you return to the UK.

Avoiding Animal Bites While Travelling

Vaccination is only one part of preventing rabies.

The safest approach is to avoid unnecessary contact with animals while abroad.

Be particularly careful around:

• Stray dogs
• Cats
• Monkeys
• Bats
• Other wild mammals

Animals infected with rabies do not always look obviously ill.

Monkeys are a particular issue in some popular tourist destinations because travellers may approach them for photographs or feed them.

Children should be reminded not to touch unfamiliar animals and to tell an adult immediately about any bite, scratch or lick on broken skin.

Are There Side Effects From the Rabies Vaccine?

Most side effects are mild and short-lived.

According to the NHS, possible side effects include:

• Soreness or swelling where the injection was given
• Headache
• Raised temperature
• Nausea or vomiting
• An itchy rash or hives

Serious allergic reactions are very rare.

The rabies vaccine used in the UK cannot cause rabies.

Do I Need a Booster?

Most travellers do not routinely need regular rabies boosters.

However, a booster may sometimes be considered for people who continue to travel frequently to high-risk areas or have an ongoing occupational risk.

Your travel health clinician can review your previous vaccination history and advise whether another dose is appropriate.

Rabies Vaccination in Canary Wharf

At Dr Wayne Cottrell & Co in Canary Wharf, we provide travel health consultations and rabies vaccination for travellers at increased risk.

A travel health appointment allows us to look at:

• Where you are travelling
• How long you will be away
• The type of accommodation you will be using
• Planned activities
• Access to healthcare at your destination
• Your existing vaccination history

This helps determine whether rabies vaccination is recommended for your particular trip rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

At Dr Wayne Cottrell & Co in Canary Wharf, we offer expert travel consultations and rabies vaccinations for those at increased risk during their trip.

Full Service Price

Travel vaccination consultation – 15 minutes with a nurse (video or in person) £75

A clinical assessment helps identify the most appropriate vaccines for your journey, allowing you to schedule the necessary doses and appointments.

If you are visiting a country where rabies occurs, especially for an extended stay, rural travel, or activities that heighten your risk of animal exposure, it is sensible to discuss vaccination options before your departure. Or directly book over the phone Monday – Friday 020 4579 3971