Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease transmitted to humans usually by a bite or scratch from an infected animal (usually a dog). The virus attacks the central nervous system causing, progressive damage to the brain and spinal cord. Once symptoms are present, rabies is almost always fatal.
Human rabies cases are often unreported, so it is difficult to provide reliable figures on the incidence worldwide. The disease is estimated to cause 59,000 human deaths annually. Rabies is rare in travellers with only 25 human deaths in the UK from imported rabies since 1946.
Although rabies cases are rare in travellers, animal bites and scratches are common. It is important that travellers visiting areas where rabies occurs are aware of the risk and know what to do if they are bitten or scratched. The disease is preventable if the correct post-exposure treatment (PET) is provided quickly. PET can be expensive and difficult to obtain in some areas.
What Vaccines are available?
There is 1 type of rabies vaccine used in the UK. You can check the ingredients in the patient leaflet:
Rabipur rabies vaccine patient leaflet (Electronic Medicines Compendium website)
Vaccine Schedules
Children and adults of all ages
conventional schedule (3 doses)
Dose 1: Day 0
Dose 2: Day 7
Dose 3: Day 21 or 28
Accelerated schedule for individuals aged 18-65 years (4 doses)
Dose 1: Day 0
Dose 2: Day 3
Dose 3: Day 7
Dose 4: Month 12
Protection Duration: Booster is recommended every 2-5 years
Prevention
Contact with wild or domestic animals during travel should be avoided. Travellers should also be advised:
not to approach animals.
not to attempt to pick up an unusually tame animal or one that appears to be unwell.
not to attract stray animals by offering food or by being careless with litter.
be aware that certain activities may attract dogs (e.g. running, cycling).
The following advice can be given regarding first aid following a possible rabies exposure:
Urgent action is required; treatment should be commenced as soon as possible after the exposure.
Immediately wash the wound with detergent or soap and running water for several minutes.
Apply a disinfectant to the wound such as an iodine solution (tincture or aqueous solution of povidone-iodine) or 40-70 percent alcohol.
Apply a simple dressing to the wound.
Seek immediate medical advice about the need for PET and possible antibiotics to prevent a wound infection.
Tetanus vaccine may be necessary if the traveller is not up to date.
Suturing of the wound should be postponed until PET has started.
Need other vaccines?
Please click on the links below for travel vaccination requirements/ advice.
For vaccine recommendations and information on conditions based on destinations:https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home
For vaccine lifespan:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/travel-vaccinations/jabs/
Antimalarials (Maloff Protect): For adults you can buy these over the counter after the consultation at £2 per tablet. For children please enquire.
Need to book more than one vaccine?
Please make a booking for a single vaccine and leave a note with the booking for the other vaccines you require. We will then call you to make other bookings.
Note: We offer a 5% discount for cash payments.
Please make sure you fill in the form in the appointment confirmation which you will recieve (as a link). This will allow us to do a risk assessement before your arrive and check all your travel requirements for a swift & safe appointment.
*Note*
Any Cancellation within 48 hours prior to appointment will incur a charge of 20% of total service cost.