Rabies is a serious viral infection that affects the brain and nerves. It’s almost always fatal once symptoms appear so prevention is important before you travel.

The virus is usually transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal, most commonly a dog. While rabies is rare in the UK, it’s found in many parts of the world, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. If you’re planning to travel to these regions, especially if you know you’ll be coming into contact with animals, it’s important to consider getting vaccinated against rabies before your trip.

You can book your vaccine easily online with Croyland Pharmacy so you can enjoy your trip with complete peace of mind. Book your travel vaccination consultation online today.

Which Countries Require a Rabies Vaccine?

Rabies is present in numerous countries across Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. Travellers to these regions should consider vaccination, especially if:

• You’re going to areas where medical care may be hard to access quickly.
• You plan to engage in activities that might bring you into contact with animals, such as cycling, running, or hiking.
• You’re staying for an extended period, typically over a month.

If you’re not sure that you need the rabies vaccine you can always visit our pharmacy for advice. We’ll create a tailored vaccine schedule that fits your travel plans and activities.

What Is Rabies?

Rabies is a viral infection that targets the central nervous system, leading to brain inflammation.
Once you start to see symptoms, the disease is, unfortunately, almost always fatal. The virus is commonly spread through the saliva of infected animals via bites or scratches. While dogs are the primary culprits, other animals like bats, cats, and monkeys can also transmit rabies.

Early symptoms resemble the flu, including fever, headache, and general weakness, but as the disease progresses, neurological symptoms such as confusion, agitation, and paralysis can occur.

Is There Anyone Who Can’t Have Rabies Vaccine?

Most individuals can safely receive the rabies vaccine, including babies, children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with weakened immune systems.

However, you should not receive the vaccine if you’ve had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose or to any component of the vaccine. Notably, the rabies vaccine used in the UK contains egg protein, so individuals with a severe egg allergy should inform the healthcare provider before vaccination.

When you visit us for your appointment we’ll go through a few questions to make sure that it’s safe for you to have a vaccine. If you can’t have the vaccine we’ll advise you on what to do next and give you advice for staying safe.

How Is the Vaccine Administered?

The rabies vaccine is given as an injection, typically into the upper arm. The standard vaccination schedule consists of three doses. After completing the primary vaccination course, booster doses may be recommended based on your ongoing risk of exposure.

As the vaccine needs three doses to be effective, it’s important to get your vaccine in plenty of time before you travel. We recommend starting your vaccines at least 8 weeks before you travel.

At Croyland Pharmacy our Rabies Vaccination cost £99 per dose.

Side Effects and Precautions

Like any vaccine, the rabies vaccine can cause mild side effects, including:

• Rash
• High temperature
• Nausea
• Muscle aches

Typically these side effects are mild and will pass quickly for most people. If these symptoms become severe you must speak to your GP, or if your symptoms are extremely severe seek immediate medical advice.

Before your appointment, if you experience a high temperature or feel unwell, it’s advisable to wait until you’re feeling better before receiving the vaccine. If you need to rebook your appointment with Croyland pharmacy contact our pharmacy on 01933 698 491 and we’ll move your appointment.

While rabies is rare among travellers, the consequences of infection are so severe that it’s important to take the precautionary measures you can.

Vaccination provides a layer of protection, especially for those visiting high-risk areas or engaging in activities that increase the likelihood of animal contact that you can’t afford to miss.

Speak to our travel clinic to find out more about our rabies vaccine, alongside all the other vaccines we offer across Wellingborough and Nottingham. You can see our full list of available vaccines, and their price per dose, here.