Rabies Vaccination
Pre-exposure rabies vaccination for travellers to remote areas where access to post-exposure treatment may be limited.
Overview
Rabies is a fatal viral disease transmitted through the saliva of infected animals — most commonly dogs, bats, and monkeys. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal, making prevention through vaccination critical for travellers to high-risk areas.
At Gloucester Travel Clinic, we provide the pre-exposure rabies vaccination course, which involves 3 doses of vaccine administered over 21–28 days. Pre-exposure vaccination doesn't eliminate the need for post-exposure treatment after a bite, but it simplifies and speeds up the treatment required — which can be life-saving in remote areas where rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is unavailable.
Rabies kills an estimated 59,000 people worldwide each year, with 95% of deaths occurring in Africa and Asia. Dog bites account for up to 99% of human rabies cases.
Who Should Get Rabies Vaccination?
Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is recommended for:
- Travellers to remote areas where access to medical facilities and post-exposure treatment is limited (e.g. trekking in South-East Asia, rural Africa, or the Amazon)
- Long-stay travellers (more than 1 month) to countries where rabies is endemic
- Travellers likely to encounter animals — cycling, running, caving, or working with animals
- Children — at higher risk as they are more likely to approach animals and may not report a bite
- Adventure travellers — backpackers, hikers, and those visiting rural communities
Vaccine Schedule & Pricing
| Vaccine | Rabies vaccine (Rabipur® or equivalent) |
| Doses required | 3 doses (days 0, 7, and 21–28) |
| Price | £76 per dose (£216 total course) |
| Duration of protection | Long-lasting; boosters may be needed for ongoing risk |
What to Do If Bitten Abroad
If you're bitten, scratched, or licked on broken skin by an animal in a rabies-endemic area:
- Wash the wound immediately with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes
- Apply antiseptic (iodine-based if available)
- Seek medical attention urgently — you will still need post-exposure treatment even if vaccinated
If vaccinated: You'll need 2 additional booster doses on days 0 and 3. You will NOT need rabies immunoglobulin (RIG).
If unvaccinated: You'll need a full 4-dose course PLUS rabies immunoglobulin (RIG), which is often unavailable in developing countries.