Before you set off on your travels abroad, especially to regions where rabies is common, protecting yourself with a rabies jab could be an essential part of your travel health preparation. Rabies is a serious and potentially fatal viral disease transmitted through the bite, scratch, or lick of an infected animal. While rare in the UK, it remains a risk in many parts of the world, making vaccination an important consideration for travellers.
At Market Harborough Pharmacy, we provide expert travel health advice and offer the rabies vaccine to help you stay safe while abroad. This guide explains what rabies is, why the jab is important, who should get it, and what to expect from your vaccination.
What Is Rabies?
Rabies is a viral infection that affects the central nervous system. It’s usually spread through the bite or scratch of an infected animal, but can also be transmitted if infected saliva enters an open wound or the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal, making prevention and early treatment absolutely critical.
Animals that commonly carry rabies include:
- — Dogs (the most common source worldwide)
- — Bats
- — Monkeys
- — Cats and other mammals
Where Rabies Is a Risk
Rabies is present in more than 150 countries, but some areas pose a higher risk than others. You may need a rabies jab if you’re travelling to:
- — Asia – High risk in India, China, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia
- — Africa – Widespread risk across many regions
- — Central and South America – Risk in both rural and some urban areas
- — Eastern Europe and the Middle East – Certain countries report regular rabies cases
Our team at Market Harborough Pharmacy can assess your destination and itinerary to advise if the rabies vaccine is recommended for your trip.
Why You Might Need a Rabies Jab
While not every traveller needs the rabies vaccine, certain activities and destinations increase your risk. You may be advised to have the jab if you:
- — Are travelling to rural areas where medical facilities are limited
- — Plan to stay abroad for long periods
- — Work closely with animals (e.g. vets, researchers, wildlife volunteers)
- — Go trekking, camping, or cycling in areas where rabies is more common
- — Visit countries with a high prevalence of stray animals
If you’re bitten or scratched by an animal abroad, having the vaccine beforehand can make treatment simpler and faster.
How the Rabies Jab Works
The rabies vaccine helps your body produce antibodies that protect against the rabies virus. It’s available as a course of injections, typically given over several weeks.
Pre-Exposure Vaccination
If you’re travelling to a high-risk area, you may be advised to get the vaccine before your trip. This usually involves:
- — Three doses of the vaccine
- — Given on day 0, day 7, and day 21 or 28
After this, you’ll have a strong level of protection, but you may still need post-exposure treatment if bitten or scratched.
Post-Exposure Treatment
If you haven’t had the vaccine and are bitten or scratched, urgent medical attention is required. Treatment usually involves:
- — A series of five doses of the rabies vaccine
- — In some cases, an injection of rabies immunoglobulin
For vaccinated travellers, fewer doses are needed after exposure, and treatment is generally simpler and quicker.
Side Effects of the Rabies Vaccine
The rabies jab is considered very safe, and most side effects are mild and temporary. These may include:
- — Soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site
- — Mild headache or dizziness
- — Fatigue
- — Fever or flu-like symptoms
Serious side effects are extremely rare. Our team at Market Harborough Pharmacy will discuss the vaccine with you in detail and ensure it’s suitable based on your medical history.
Additional Rabies Prevention Tips
Even if you’re vaccinated, taking precautions can reduce your risk of rabies exposure:
- — Avoid contact with wild and stray animals, especially dogs, cats, and monkeys
- — Don’t feed or pet animals abroad, even if they seem tame
- — Cover cuts and wounds to prevent exposure to infected saliva
- — Seek medical advice immediately if you’re bitten or scratched, regardless of your vaccination status
By combining safe habits with vaccination, you’ll have the best possible protection.
Why Choose Market Harborough Pharmacy
At Market Harborough Pharmacy, we provide expert support for your travel health needs, including:
- — Pre-travel consultations tailored to your itinerary
- — Rabies vaccinations and other essential travel jabs
- — Advice on preventing insect-borne and animal-related diseases
- — Guidance on what to do if you experience a bite or scratch while abroad
We’ll ensure you have the protection and knowledge you need before you travel, giving you peace of mind wherever you’re going.
Protect Yourself Before You Go
Rabies is a serious disease, but it’s also highly preventable. If you’re travelling to a country where the virus is present — particularly if you’ll be in rural areas or spending time around animals — the rabies jab provides effective protection and ensures you’re prepared in case of an emergency.
Book your travel health consultation at Market Harborough Pharmacy today and make sure you’re fully protected before your trip.
This blog was written on behalf of Market Harborough Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.
