Rabies Vaccine

Rabies vaccination is recommended for travellers to regions where rabies is present, particularly parts of Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. Vaccination before travel gives important protection for long stays, outdoor activities, or travel to areas with limited access to medical care.

What is rabies?

Rabies is a viral infection of the brain and nervous system that is almost always fatal once symptoms develop. It is passed on through a bite, scratch, or lick on broken skin or mucous membranes from an infected animal. Worldwide, dogs are the most common source, but bats, cats, monkeys and other mammals can also carry it.

Rabies is present in large parts of Asia, Africa, Central and South America and some regions of Eastern Europe. Ireland and the UK are free of rabies in land animals.

Why is vaccination important for travellers?

Travellers may be exposed to rabies through:

• Animal bites or scratches
• Contact with animals in rural or urban settings
• Activities such as trekking, cycling, camping or volunteering
• Limited access to prompt, reliable medical care

How effective is the vaccine?

Rabies vaccination is highly effective at preventing rabies when it is given before exposure and followed by prompt medical care if exposure occurs. Pre-exposure vaccination does not remove the need for medical assessment after a bite, but it makes treatment simpler and safer.

Benefits of vaccinating before travel

• Fewer vaccine doses are needed after a bite
• Removes the need for rabies immunoglobulin, which can be very hard to obtain in many countries
• Reassurance when travelling to remote areas

Vaccination schedule

The course should ideally be completed at least one week before departure. It is suitable for children and adults, with no upper age limit.

Who should consider rabies vaccination?

• Travellers to rabies-endemic countries
• Long-stay travellers and backpackers
• Children travelling to high-risk regions
• People working with animals (e.g. vets, aid workers)
• Travellers doing outdoor or adventure activities

Who should not have it?

Most people can be vaccinated safely. Vaccination may be postponed if you are acutely unwell with a high fever (a minor illness is not a reason to delay). There are no absolute contraindications when the rabies risk is significant, and the vaccine can be given during pregnancy and breastfeeding if clinically indicated.

Side effects

Side effects are usually mild and short-lived, and may include:

• Pain, redness or swelling at the injection site
• Headache or tiredness
• Mild fever

Serious allergic reactions are very rare.

What to do after an animal bite or scratch

If you are bitten, scratched, or licked on broken skin in a rabies-risk country:

1. Wash the wound immediately with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes
2. Apply an antiseptic if available
3. Seek urgent medical attention, even if you have been fully vaccinated

Further vaccine doses are still required after exposure, but treatment is simpler for vaccinated people.

Avoiding animals still matters

Vaccination does not replace common-sense precautions. Even when vaccinated:

• Avoid touching or feeding animals
• Keep away from dogs, cats, monkeys and bats
• Supervise children closely around animals
• Seek medical advice after any animal bite or scratch

Key points

• Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear
• Vaccination before travel gives important protection
• A 3-dose course is recommended for travellers
• Any animal bite or scratch needs urgent medical assessment, even if vaccinated
• Avoiding contact with animals remains essential

Further reading (TravelHealthPro)

TravelHealthPro is the UK’s official travel health website, run by the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) for the UK Health Security Agency. It is the source we use for vaccine and malaria recommendations.

• Rabies factsheet
• Rabies — disease information and vaccine recommendations
• Country information — vaccine and malaria recommendations for every destination
• All TravelHealthPro factsheets

See also: Travel Clinic · Vaccinations · Fees