Vaccines and prices / Rabies

Rabies vaccine

Rabies is a virus carried in animal saliva. It is passed on by a bite, scratch or lick to broken skin, most often from a dog, and bats can carry it too. Once symptoms start it is almost always fatal, but prompt treatment after an exposure prevents it.

Course

3 doses

Price per dose

£100

Start at least

4 weeks before

Your course, dose by dose

Typical schedule shown. Your pharmacist confirms yours, and some courses can be speeded up.

Who it’s for

• Travellers going to areas where medical care and post-exposure treatment are hard to reach.
• Long-stay travellers (more than one month).
• Those planning higher risk activities such as running or cycling.
• People working with animals, and health workers who may care for infected patients.
• Children are at higher risk because they are more likely to touch animals and less likely to report a bite.

Schedule

Standard course

Three injections on days 0, 7 and 28. The third dose can be brought forward to day 21 if time is short.

Rapid course

Days 0, 3 and 7, with a fourth dose at 1 year. Used when there are fewer than four weeks before departure.

Boosters

Not routinely needed for most travellers.

If you are bitten

You still need two more doses, on day 0 and between days 3 and 7. Without the pre-travel course you usually need four doses over a month, and possibly rabies immunoglobulin, which is in short supply worldwide.

Good to know

• After any bite, scratch or lick to broken skin: wash the wound with soap and running water for several minutes, apply disinfectant, and get medical help locally straight away. Do not wait until you are home.
• Carry your vaccine record when you travel and keep details of any treatment given abroad.
• NaTHNaC has reported falsified rabies vaccine in India (2025) and the Philippines (2026), another reason to be vaccinated before you go.

Often advised for trips to

Common questions