Rabies Vaccine

Rabies Vaccine and Travel Health Advice

Rabies is one of the most serious infections a traveller can encounter. Once symptoms develop it is almost always fatal, yet it is entirely preventable with the right preparation. If you are travelling to a part of the world where rabies is present, getting vaccinated before you go and knowing what to do if you are bitten could save your life. At Anna Pharmacy, our pharmacists provide the rabies vaccine and expert pre-travel advice as part of our travel health service. We have branches in Carshalton, Sutton, and Hackbridge, and we welcome patients from Croydon, Richmond, Epsom, Stoneleigh, and Wallington.

Where Is This Service Available?

The rabies vaccine is available at all three Anna Pharmacy branches:

Anna Pharmacy Carshalton

398 Green Wrythe Lane
Carshalton Sutton
SM5 1JF
United Kingdom

Anna Pharmacy Hackbridge

186 London Rd, Hackbridge
Wallington
SM6 7FW
United Kingdom

Anna Pharmacy Tudor

107 Wrythe Ln
Sutton
Carshalton
SM5 2RR

We also welcome patients from Croydon, Richmond, Epsom, Stoneleigh, and Wallington. Whichever branch is most convenient, our team is ready to help.

What Is Rabies and Where Is It Found?

Rabies is a viral infection that affects the brain and nervous system. It is spread through the saliva of infected mammals, most commonly through a bite or scratch, though it can also be contracted if an infected animal licks broken skin or the eyes, nose, or mouth. Dogs are the most common source globally, but bats, foxes, raccoons, and other wild animals can also carry the virus. In the UK, rabies is extremely rare and found only in certain bat species.

The risk to travellers is generally low but not negligible, particularly in parts of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America where animal contact is more likely and access to post-exposure treatment may be limited.

Who Needs the Rabies Vaccine?

Pre-travel rabies vaccination is recommended if you are:

Travelling to a region where rabies is present and medical care may be difficult to access quickly.
Planning outdoor activities such as cycling, running, or trekking that increase the chance of animal contact.
Staying for more than a month in a risk area.
Working in a role that involves handling animals or in a laboratory with exposure risk.

The vaccine is given as three injections over 28 days, though an accelerated schedule over 21 or even 7 days is possible when time is short. Protection typically lasts at least one to two years. A booster may be recommended if you return to a risk area more than a year after your initial course. The rabies vaccine is a private vaccination and is not available on the NHS for travel. Our pharmacists will advise on cost and scheduling at your appointment.

Signs and Symptoms of Rabies

Symptoms of rabies can take anywhere from a few days to several months to appear after exposure, with three to twelve weeks being most typical. Early signs are easy to miss or mistake for other illnesses. They include:

Tingling, numbness, or unusual sensation around the site of the bite or scratch
Fever, headache, and general feelings of being unwell
Anxiety, agitation, or confusion
Hallucinations
Difficulty swallowing or breathing
Progressive paralysis

Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. There is no effective treatment at this stage. This is why seeking medical help immediately after any potential exposure, even if you have been vaccinated, is absolutely critical. Do not wait until symptoms develop and do not wait until you return home from abroad.

How Anna Pharmacy Can Help You Travel Safely

Here is what to expect when you book your rabies vaccination appointment with us:

A Travel Health Assessment

Our pharmacist will review your destination, planned activities, length of stay, and health history to assess your rabies risk and confirm whether pre-travel vaccination is recommended.

Vaccination and Dose Scheduling

We will administer your vaccine and help you plan the full three-dose course around your travel dates. If your departure is imminent, we will advise on the fastest available schedule to ensure maximum possible protection before you leave.

What to Do If You Are Bitten Abroad

We will give you clear guidance on exactly what to do if you are bitten or scratched while travelling, including washing the wound immediately, seeking local medical care without delay, and contacting your GP on return to the UK to confirm whether further doses are needed.

Book Your Rabies Vaccine at Anna Pharmacy Before You Travel

Travelling to a rabies risk area without pre-exposure vaccination is an avoidable risk. Book your travel health appointment at any of our three branches today and travel knowing you are as protected as possible.

Frequently asked questions

If I have been vaccinated, do I still need treatment if I am bitten?

Yes, always. Pre-exposure vaccination does not mean you can ignore a bite or scratch from a potentially rabid animal. It does, however, simplify your post-exposure treatment significantly, removing the need for rabies immunoglobulin and reducing the number of additional vaccine doses required. Seek medical help immediately regardless of your vaccination status.

Can I get the rabies vaccine at short notice before travel?

Yes. While the standard course spans 28 days, an accelerated schedule can compress the three doses into 21 or even 7 days if your departure is imminent. Some protection is considerably better than none, so do not skip vaccination just because your trip is soon. Book as early as you can.

What should I do immediately if I am bitten by an animal abroad?

Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes, then apply an antiseptic if available. Seek local medical care immediately and do not wait until you return to the UK. Contact your GP on return to confirm whether further post-exposure treatment is needed.

Are bat bites a rabies risk in the UK?

Yes. Rabies in the UK is found only in certain bat species, but a bat bite or scratch here should be treated with the same urgency as an animal bite abroad. If you are bitten by a bat in the UK, call NHS 111 or seek urgent GP advice immediately.

Can the rabies vaccine be given alongside other travel vaccines?

Yes. The rabies vaccine is compatible with most other travel vaccinations and can be incorporated into a combined travel health appointment. Our pharmacists will coordinate your schedule to ensure everything is timed correctly around your departure.

How long does the rabies vaccine protect for?

Protection from a completed three-dose course typically lasts at least one to two years. A single booster dose is recommended if you return to a risk area more than a year after your initial course. Those with ongoing occupational exposure may need more frequent boosters. Our pharmacists will advise on the right schedule for your circumstances.

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