Rabies Vaccine
We offer Rabies vaccination prior to travel to safeguard against the potential risks of Rabies, particularly if you are visiting Asia or Africa. The Rabies vaccine is an inactivated vaccine administered via injection into the upper arm’s deltoid muscle.
We offer a wide range of travel vaccinations in our Birmingham clinic. Whether you need vaccinations for travel purposes or for work, we are here to help you. We offer free travel consultations so you can travel safely and confidently.
£65 per dose
From birth
3 doses required
Free Travel Consultations
Stay protected during your travels with our Travel Vaccination Consultation. Our expert medical team will guide you on essential vaccinations, helping prevent diseases uncommon in the UK. Learn how to minimise the risk of exposure and ensure a safe and healthy journey.
Travel Vaccinations
What is Rabies?
Rabies, caused by the Rabies lyssavirus, is a viral infection prevalent in over 150 countries across the world, with the exception of Antarctica. While Rabies exists worldwide, 95% of all deaths related to this disease occur in Asia and Africa. It disproportionately affects poor rural and remote communities, accounting for 80% of reported cases.
The transmission of Rabies to humans occurs through bites, scratches, or licks on open wounds from infected mammals. It is crucial to note that Rabies is a severe but preventable disease, and if left untreated, it is almost always fatal. Shockingly, around 29 million individuals receive post-exposure treatment each year.
The incubation period for Rabies varies, typically manifesting symptoms between 2-3 months after exposure. However, it can manifest as quickly as one week or even take as long as 18 years. Early symptoms may include a high fever, unexplained pain, and tingling around the wound site. As the disease progresses, the virus spreads to the central nervous system and spinal cord, causing progressive and fatal inflammation.
Types of Rabies and their Symptoms
There are two forms of Rabies: furious and paralytic. Understanding the symptoms of each type is essential in recognizing the disease and seeking prompt medical attention.
- Furious Rabies: Symptoms of furious rabies include excitability, fear of water (hydrophobia), and fear of fresh air (aerophobia). Death occurs a few days after the onset of symptoms.
- Paralytic Rabies: Paralytic rabies is a slower form of the disease characterised by widespread muscle paralysis. This gradual paralysis eventually leads to a coma and, ultimately, death.
How is Rabies Contracted?
Rabies is a disease that affects mammals and is primarily transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal. In approximately 99% of cases, infected domestic dogs are the source. However, Rabies can also be present in wild mammal populations, such as monkeys.
Regardless of intent, travellers to any region with reported Rabies cases are at risk. Engaging in high-risk activities, such as working with animals (including bats), increases the chances of contracting Rabies. However, it is essential to note that the majority of cases occur through unprovoked attacks from household animals like dogs and cats. Any incident involving an unprovoked attack should be considered serious, and immediate post-exposure treatment (vaccination) should be sought.
What should you do if exposed to Rabies?
If you suspect you have been exposed to Rabies, it is crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Prompt action can significantly improve the outcome of post-exposure treatment. Follow these steps:
- Thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water, and then disinfect it with a 40-70% alcohol or povidone-iodine solution.
- Cover the wound with a simple dressing to prevent bacterial infection, but refrain from stitching it until post-exposure treatment has been initiated.
- Consider antibiotic therapy to prevent wound infection and ensure you are up to date with tetanus vaccination.
- If you have not previously been vaccinated against Rabies, it is crucial to act swiftly to obtain the necessary treatment. A course of four Rabies vaccines should be administered over a three-week period. Depending on the wound location and the known Rabies status of the animal involved, live rabies antibodies may also be administered.
Rabies Vaccination (pre-exposure)
The Rabies vaccine is an inactivated vaccine administered via injection into the upper arm’s deltoid muscle. A typical course of the Rabies vaccine, such as Rabipur, consists of three doses spread over three to four weeks. If you have immediate travel plans, don’t fret. Our experienced pharmacists can expedite the immunisation process, ensuring completion within just seven days. However, please note that a booster dose will be required after one year.
Upon completing the initial course of three to four injections, an average traveller is protected for approximately ten years. Additional protection can be achieved through a single booster dose when required, providing another decade of coverage.
Precautions and Side Effects
Rabies vaccines, such as Rabipur, are considered safe and effective. Adverse reactions are infrequent and limited to mild symptoms. These may include injection site reactions such as a sore arm, redness, swelling, or tenderness. Some individuals may experience a low-grade fever (above 37.5°C), fatigue, or tiredness. These symptoms usually resolve within a few days and can be managed with paracetamol or a cold compress. For detailed information on adverse events, please refer to the patient leaflet accompanying the vaccine.
How much do Travel Vaccinations cost?
Yellow Fever Vaccine (Includes Certificate)
£95
Hepatitis A (Booster after 6-12 months)
£50
Typhoid (Covers for 3 years)
£50
Diptheria, Tetanus & Polio (Covers for 10 years)
£50
Malaria Tablets
£25
Hepatitis B (Course of 3 vaccines – £195)
£65
Rabies (Course of 3 vaccines – £195)
£65
Japanese Encephalitis (Course of 2 vaccines – £250)
£125
Meningitis ACWY (Covers for 3-5 years)
£75
Cholera (Course of 2 vaccines)
£95
Whooping cough vaccine (Pertussis) (Pertussis combined with D/T/P)
£75
Travel Vaccines
Malaria is a life-threatening disease that occurs in tropical and subtropical regions, including Africa, Asia, and South America. If you’re planning a trip to these regions, it’s essential to take the necessary precautions to prevent malaria.
Antimalarial medication is essential for preventing malaria in high-risk areas. Consult with a travel health specialist to determine which medication is right for you. Some medications must be taken several weeks before your trip, so plan ahead.
When selecting a mosquito repellent, make sure it’s effective and safe. Choose a product that contains at least 20% DEET or an equivalent concentration of other active ingredients.
If you’re planning to travel to an area with a high risk of polio or diphtheria, it may be necessary to get vaccinated against polio, diphtheria, and tetanus. The need for a DTP booster shot depends on the date of your previous vaccination.
The polio, diphtheria, and tetanus vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against these three serious illnesses. Polio is a highly infectious disease that can cause paralysis, while diphtheria and tetanus are bacterial infections that can lead to respiratory problems and muscle stiffness. The vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against these illnesses, which helps to protect against them.
The hepatitis A vaccine is a preventive measure against hepatitis A, an infection that targets the liver. This disease is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). If you plan to travel to high risk areas, it is essential to assess your risk and take appropriate precautions to safeguard your health.
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious virus that is typically not acquired in the UK. This virus primarily targets the liver, resulting in various symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, jaundice, dark-colored urine, fever, diarrhea, and nausea. It’s important to note that unlike other forms of hepatitis, such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A does not lead to long-lasting liver damage or cirrhosis. However, in rare cases, Hepatitis A can progress to liver failure, which can be life-threatening, especially among older individuals.
The most effective method of preventing Hepatitis B infection is through vaccination. The Hepatitis B vaccine is safe and highly effective. If you plan to travel to high risk areas, it is essential to assess your risk and take appropriate precautions to safeguard your health.
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that primarily targets the liver, leading to acute illness and potentially causing long-lasting damage. This global health challenge affects millions of individuals across nearly every continent. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were approximately 296 million cases of Hepatitis B in 2019, resulting in an alarming 820,000 deaths attributed to liver damage and liver cancer. The highest concentration of cases can be found in the WHO Western Pacific and African regions.
A typhoid vaccination is recommended if you are travelling to an area of high risk, such as the Indian subcontinent, parts of Africa, South America, and other regions with low hygiene standards. The typhoid vaccine is a crucial preventive measure that stimulates your body to produce antibodies, enhancing your immune system’s ability to fight against the typhoid bacteria.
Typhoid fever is a serious bacterial infection that can have severe consequences if left untreated. It spreads throughout the body, affecting multiple organs and can even lead to complications such as internal bleeding, which can be fatal. It is primarily prevalent in areas where hygiene standards are low.
The Meningitis ACWY vaccine is highly recommended for individuals traveling to regions with a high risk of meningococcal meningitis, including parts of Africa, the Middle East, and certain countries in South America. This vaccine serves as a crucial preventive measure, stimulating the production of antibodies in your body and enhancing your immune system’s ability to combat the bacteria responsible for meningococcal meningitis.
To safeguard against this disease, the Meningitis ACWY vaccine provides protection against four different serogroups of the bacteria: A, C, W, and Y. By receiving this vaccine, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of contracting the disease and potentially protect themselves from its debilitating consequences.
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a viral infection transmitted through mosquito bites that is prevalent in certain regions of Asia, including rural areas of China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. If you are planning to travel to these high-risk areas, it is strongly recommended to receive the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine as a preventive measure.
The Japanese Encephalitis vaccine stimulates the production of antibodies in the body, enhancing the immune system’s ability to fight against the JEV. By receiving this vaccine, you can significantly reduce the risk of contracting the virus and developing Japanese Encephalitis.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is primarily transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal, most commonly dogs, bats, raccoons, and other wild animals. If you are travelling to areas where rabies is prevalent, it is crucial to be aware of the risks and take preventive measures, including the rabies vaccine.
The rabies vaccine serves as a preventive measure to protect individuals from contracting the virus. It is administered before potential exposure or as a series of post-exposure shots, depending on the circumstances. Pre-exposure vaccination is recommended for individuals who may be at an increased risk of exposure, such as animal handlers, veterinarians, and individuals traveling to regions where rabies is prevalent.
Yellow fever is a viral disease caused by the yellow fever virus, primarily transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. It is mainly found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and South America. If you are planning to travel to areas where yellow fever is endemic or where there is a risk of outbreaks, it is important to take precautions and consider getting the yellow fever vaccine.
The yellow fever vaccine is a highly effective preventive measure against the disease. It is a live attenuated vaccine that stimulates the body’s immune system to develop immunity to the yellow fever virus. Many countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination as an entry requirement, especially if you are arriving from or have recently visited a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection transmitted through the bite of infected ticks. It is primarily found in parts of Europe and Asia, particularly in forested areas and regions with high tick populations. If you are planning to travel to areas where TBE is endemic or engaging in outdoor activities in these regions, it is important to be aware of the risks and consider getting vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis.
The tick-borne encephalitis vaccine is a preventive measure that provides protection against the virus. It stimulates the body’s immune system to produce antibodies that help fight against the tick-borne encephalitis virus. The vaccine is typically administered as a series of doses and offers long-term immunity against the disease.
Cholera is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is primarily transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. Cholera is prevalent in areas with inadequate sanitation and poor access to clean drinking water, particularly in parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. If you are traveling to these regions, it is important to take necessary precautions and consider receiving the cholera vaccine.
The cholera vaccine is an oral vaccine that provides protection against the specific strains of Vibrio cholerae responsible for the disease. It stimulates the production of antibodies in the body, enhancing the immune system’s ability to fight against the bacteria. The vaccine is typically administered in a series of doses and offers a certain level of immunity against cholera.
