About the Rabies Vaccine
When Should You Get the Rabies Vaccine
We recommend completing the rabies vaccination course at least four weeks before travel, where possible, to allow your immune system sufficient time to develop full protection before potential exposure.
If you are travelling at short notice, an accelerated rabies vaccination schedule may be available following a clinical assessment.
Vaccine Schedule
The standard pre-exposure rabies vaccination course consists of three doses, administered on Day 0, Day 7, and Day 21 or 28. This schedule provides effective protection for travellers and individuals at increased risk.
For those with limited time before departure, an accelerated schedule over one week may be offered. This consists of four doses, with two doses given on Day 0 and two doses given on Day 7.
Booster Requirements
Booster doses are not routinely required for most travellers. However, a booster may be recommended between one and five years after the initial course for individuals with ongoing or increased risk, including frequent or long-term travellers to high-risk regions, people working with animals, and those with occupational exposure. Our healthcare team will advise based on your risk level and travel plans.
How the Rabies Vaccine Is Given
At London Vaccination Clinic, pre-exposure rabies vaccination is administered using the intradermal route, which is clinically proven, endorsed by the World Health Organization, and provides the same level of protection as intramuscular vaccination when delivered by trained clinicians.
Intramuscular rabies vaccination is reserved for post-exposure treatment and specific specialist medical indications.
How Long Does the Rabies Vaccine Last
After completing the full vaccination course, protection typically lasts at least 10 years. In some cases, immunity may last longer, although booster doses may be recommended if ongoing or repeated exposure is expected.
Possible Side Effects
Most people tolerate the rabies vaccine well. Mild and temporary side effects may include:
-Soreness or redness at the injection site
-Headache
-Fatigue
-Mild fever or muscle aches
These effects usually resolve within a few days.
Who Should Not Have the Rabies Vaccine
The rabies vaccine may not be suitable for individuals with certain medical conditions or severe allergies. Our clinicians will assess your medical history and suitability during your consultation to ensure the vaccine is safe for you.
Risk If You Contract Rabies
Rabies is a life-threatening viral infection. Once symptoms develop, there is no effective cure, and the disease is almost always fatal. Infection can occur through bites, scratches, or saliva contact with broken skin from infected animals.
Because treatment options are extremely limited after symptoms appear, vaccination and immediate medical attention after any potential exposure are critical.
Our London Travel Clinics
We have four central London travel clinics in Liverpool Street, London Bridge, High Street Kensington, and Mayfair, convenient for anyone living or working in the city. We are open early mornings, lunchtimes, evenings, and weekends, providing all essential travel vaccinations and medications.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Rabies Vaccine
Rabies vaccination is strongly recommended to anyone travelling to regions where rabies is present, particularly where contact with animals is possible or access to prompt medical care may be limited. It is also advised for people working with animals or travelling long-term.
Rabies is common in many parts of Asia, Africa, Central and South America, and parts of Eastern Europe, particularly in areas with large populations of stray dogs or limited veterinary control.
Yes. Once rabies symptoms develop, the disease is 99.9% fatal. However, vaccination before exposure or prompt post-exposure treatment is highly effective at preventing illness.
No. The rabies vaccine used in humans is inactivated and cannot cause rabies.
The rabies vaccine is highly effective when given according to recommended schedules, both for pre-exposure protection and post-exposure treatment when required.
Ideally, you should complete the rabies vaccination course at least 3–4 weeks before travel to allow full protection to develop. Accelerated schedules over one week may be available for last-minute travel following a clinical assessment.
Yes. The rabies vaccine is suitable for children from birth, and we strongly recommend vaccination for children, as they are at higher risk of exposure due to close interaction with animals such as puppies and kittens.
Yes. Rabies vaccines are considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding when there is a risk of exposure, as the benefits outweigh any potential risks.
Immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes and seek urgent medical attention. Medical advice is required even if you have previously been vaccinated.
Yes. Vaccination simplifies treatment but does not remove the need for urgent medical assessment after any potential exposure.
Yes, the rabies vaccine can usually be given at the same time as other routine or travel vaccinations, using different injection sites if needed.
After completing the full course, protection typically lasts at least 10 years, with boosters recommended only for those with ongoing or repeated risk.
Rabies vaccination is not routinely provided on the NHS for travellers and is usually available through private travel clinics such as London Vaccination Clinic.
Avoid contact with wild or stray animals, particularly dogs, bats, and monkeys. If exposure occurs, wash the area immediately and seek medical advice without delay.
Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected warm-blooded animals (mammals). The virus can enter the human bloodstream through a bite, scratch, or lick to broken skin or an open wound. Animals do not always show visible signs of rabies, so any such exposure in a country where rabies exists in the mammal population should be treated as a potential rabies risk, and urgent medical attention should be sought immediately.
Intradermal rabies vaccination is endorsed by the World Health Organization and provides the same level of protection as intramuscular vaccination when administered by trained clinicians. It uses a smaller vaccine dose while still producing a full immune response, which allows us to offer rabies vaccination at a lower cost, improving access to protection. This method is widely used internationally and supported by strong clinical evidence.
Yes. When administered by trained clinicians, intradermal rabies vaccination produces an equivalent immune response to intramuscular vaccination for pre-exposure protection.
Intradermal rabies vaccination is delivered only by clinicians who are specifically trained and competent in intradermal technique, under strict clinical protocols and governance.
Intramuscular rabies vaccination is used for post-exposure rabies treatment and for specific specialist medical or occupational health indications where intradermal vaccination is not appropriate.
Most travellers are suitable for intradermal rabies vaccination. Your clinician will assess your medical history and travel risk during your consultation to ensure the correct vaccination route is used.
Yes. Intradermal rabies vaccination has an excellent safety profile and has been used globally for many years.
No, this is not accurate. Having the rabies vaccination course before travel provides life-saving antibodies that protect you if the virus enters your body. Pre-exposure vaccination removes the need for rabies immunoglobulin, a life-saving blood product that is expensive, not widely available, and carries a small risk of blood-borne infections such as hepatitis and HIV. From a global health perspective, reducing the use of immunoglobulin also helps preserve limited supplies for local populations, especially young children.
Why Rabies Vaccination Is So Important for Travellers
Hear from Our CEO and Founder, Katy Peters
In this short video, Katy Peters, CEO and Founder of London Vaccination Clinic, explains why rabies risk varies by destination and travel style, and why speaking with an experienced travel nurse is the best way to decide if vaccination is right for you.
