Vaccination

What the rabies vaccine is for

The rabies vaccine helps reduce your risk of getting rabies.

Rabies is:

a rare but very serious infection that affects the brain and nerves
almost always fatal once symptoms appear
usually caught from the bite or scratch of an infected animal, most often a dog
found throughout the world, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America (in the UK, it's only found in a small number of wild bats)

The rabies vaccine is used to help prevent rabies and to help stop you getting symptoms if there's a chance you've been exposed to rabies.

Important

The rabies vaccine does not fully protect everyone from rabies.

You should get medical help as soon as possible if you think you may have been exposed to rabies, even if you've been vaccinated.

Who should have the rabies vaccine

The rabies vaccine is not routinely given as part of the NHS vaccination schedule.

It's only recommended for people at risk of getting rabies, including some people travelling abroad and people at risk through their work.

Check your travel risk

You can check the risks of a country you're travelling to on the TravelHealthPro website

Who cannot have the rabies vaccine

Most people who need it can have the rabies vaccine, including babies and children, and if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a weakened immune system.

You only cannot have the vaccine if you've had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose or to an ingredient in the vaccine.

Rabies vaccines can contain egg protein or small amounts of antibiotics. Tell the person vaccinating you if you have a severe allergy to eggs or have an antibiotic allergy.

Getting vaccinated if you're unwell

If you have a high temperature or feel too unwell to do your normal activities, wait until you're feeling better before having the rabies vaccine.

Where to get the rabies vaccine

You usually have to pay for the rabies vaccine for travel.

You can get it from:

private travel vaccination clinics
pharmacies with travel health services
some GP surgeries (you still have to pay if the vaccine is for travel)

It's best to get advice at least 8 weeks before going abroad, as some vaccines (including the rabies vaccine) need to be given several weeks before you travel.

If you need the rabies vaccine because you're at risk through your work, speak to your employer about getting vaccinated.

If you do voluntary work that involves regularly handling wild bats, you may be able to get the rabies vaccine for free on the NHS. Check with your GP surgery.

How the rabies vaccine is given

The rabies vaccine is given as an injection. You usually have 3 doses given over 28 days.

If there's not enough time to have 3 doses in 28 days, they can be given over 21 days or sometimes over 7 days.

Booster doses

Most travellers do not need a booster dose of the rabies vaccine.

But a one-off booster dose may be recommended if you're travelling to a place where rabies is a risk and it's been more than 1 year since you were first vaccinated.

If you're at risk of rabies through your work, you may need a booster after 1 year, followed by regular boosters every few years.

Having the rabies vaccine at the same time as other vaccines

You can have the rabies vaccine at the same time as other vaccines.

Side effects of the rabies vaccine

Most of the side effects of the rabies vaccine are mild and do not last long.

They can include:

swelling or pain where the injection was given
a headache
a high temperature
being sick (vomiting)
a raised, itchy rash (hives)

More serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction are very rare.

The rabies vaccine used in the UK contains a version of the rabies virus that cannot cause infection.

More about vaccine safety

Find out more about why vaccinations are important and the safest way to protect yourself

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