If you’re travelling to Asia or Africa, chances are that you’ll need to have a course of rabies vaccinations before you go. This is because these regions of the world are where rabies is most prevalent. Although rabies is still present in Latin America and the Caribbean, cases here are less frequent and your risk will depend on where you’re travelling to.
So, if you’re planning a trip to any African or Asian country, it’s worth familiarising yourself with the rabies vaccine because chances are that it’ll be on the list of recommended jabs to get before you jet off.
Why get the rabies vaccine?
Having the rabies vaccine before you travel will be recommended, not mandatory, so you still have a choice about whether or not to have it. However, given that rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, it is best to do all you can to protect yourself.
The disease attacks the brain and the nerves, but in some cases it can take weeks or even months for symptoms to appear. It’s most commonly associated with dogs – we’re all familiar with the image of a rabid dog who is foaming at the mouth. But because symptoms aren’t always obvious in infected animals, you might not be able to tell if a dog has rabies.
In some parts of the world, like Latin America, bats are the main carriers of the disease.
It can be passed to humans through animal bites or scratches, or even if an infected animal has licked you around your face (especially the nose or mouth) or licked a cut or wound elsewhere on your body.
How far in advance of travel do I need a rabies vaccine?
Normally, the rabies vaccine is delivered over three doses, spread out over the course of 28 days. That means you need to visit a travel health clinic well in advance of your trip to make sure there is time to deliver the vaccine through the desired schedule.
It is possible to have a course of the rabies vaccine on an accelerated schedule, including one that’s as short as seven days, but ideally you should start the process at least a month before travelling.
How long does a rabies vaccine last?
Generally, a rabies vaccine will protect you for around two years. Once you’ve had a primary course of the vaccine, you may be offered a booster if you are travelling to a high-risk area more than one year after your first shots. Speak to your travel clinic specialist though to find out what is most appropriate for you.
Will a rabies vaccine completely protect me?
Not necessarily. While it’s highly effective, if you are bitten by or have close contact with any animal you suspect may have rabies, you need to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
After exposure, you will usually need two additional doses of the vaccine to boost your antibody levels to allow your body to combat the virus.
By contrast, if you haven’t been vaccinated and suspect you may have contracted rabies, you need to seek medical attention within 24 hours. You will then have to undergo a longer-term treatment where four doses of the rabies vaccine are administered, in addition to a specialised medicine called Human Rabies Immunoglobulin (HRIG).
How much does a rabies vaccine cost?
The rabies vaccine is not available through the NHS. It costs between £60 and £80 per dose of the vaccine, so it’s important to plan for this additional expense before you travel. Given the severity of rabies, however, it is certainly a price worth paying to protect yourself.