At Brixton Travel Clinic, we understand the importance of protecting travellers against potentially life-threatening diseases such as rabies. You might be trekking through Nepal, volunteering with animals in Sri Lanka, cycling across Vietnam or spending a long stay with family in India. In each case, the question our clinicians in Brixton, London hear most often is: how long does the rabies vaccine last?
In this guide, we explain the history of the rabies vaccine and how long protection lasts. We also cover when you might need a booster and, most importantly, what to do if you are bitten or scratched abroad, even if you have been vaccinated. If you would like advice for your own trip, book online or send us a message and our team will be happy to help.
Not Sure Which Vaccines You Need for Your Trip?
Rabies is just one of several vaccines you may need depending on your destination, activities and length of stay. Our travel vaccine tool below is a helpful starting point for checking which vaccinations apply to your trip, although it cannot replace a personal consultation with one of our clinicians.
What Is Rabies and Why Does It Matter?
Rabies is a viral infection that affects the brain and nervous system. It is usually spread through the saliva of an infected animal, most often by a bite or scratch, or a lick on broken skin. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal, which is why prevention and prompt treatment after exposure are so important.
According to the World Health Organization, rabies is present in more than 150 countries and is estimated to cause around 59,000 human deaths each year, mostly in Asia and Africa. Dogs are responsible for up to 99% of rabies transmissions to humans (WHO). The NHS notes that rabies is not found in animals in the UK, except for a small number of wild bats, but it is found in many popular travel destinations (NHS).
Key facts every traveller should know:
- Dogs are the main source of rabies worldwide, but cats, monkeys, bats and other mammals can also carry it
- An infected animal may look healthy, so you cannot judge risk by appearance
- Symptoms usually develop between 3 and 12 weeks after exposure, but can appear much sooner or much later
- Rabies is almost entirely preventable with vaccination and prompt treatment after exposure
- Children are at higher risk because they are more likely to touch animals and less likely to report a bite
The Origins of the Rabies Vaccine
The history of the rabies vaccine dates back to the late 19th century. French scientist Louis Pasteur, renowned for his pioneering work in microbiology, developed the first successful rabies vaccine in 1885. The breakthrough came when Pasteur treated Joseph Meister, a 9-year-old boy who had been bitten by a rabid dog. Pasteur's vaccine was made from rabies-infected nerve tissue that had been weakened by drying, and Meister never developed the disease.
This marked a monumental milestone in medical history. It was one of the first times a vaccine had been used to prevent disease after exposure, and it laid the foundation for many of the vaccines and immunisation practices we rely on today.
Modern Rabies Vaccines
Over the years, the rabies vaccine has evolved significantly. Today's rabies vaccines are safe, highly effective and made using inactivated (killed) virus, so they cannot cause rabies. They are given as an injection into the upper arm and are generally well tolerated.
Rabies vaccines are used in two different situations:
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): a course of vaccines given before travel or work, recommended for people at higher risk, such as travellers to areas where rabies is common, vets and wildlife workers
- Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP): treatment given as soon as possible after a possible exposure, which is essential for anyone who may have been exposed, whether or not they have been vaccinated before
How Long Does the Rabies Vaccine Last?
One of the most common questions travellers ask is: how long does the rabies vaccine last? The answer depends on whether you have had the vaccine before travel (PrEP) or after a possible exposure (PEP).
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): In the UK, the primary course usually consists of 3 doses given over 3 to 4 weeks, typically on days 0, 7 and 21 or 28. If you are short of time, an accelerated schedule may be possible, and your clinician will advise on this. Once the primary course is complete, your immune system develops long-lasting memory against the virus, likely for many years. For most travellers, routine boosters are not needed. A booster may be advised if you are at continued or frequent risk, in line with UK guidance.
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): If you are bitten, scratched or licked on broken skin by a potentially rabid animal, you need urgent medical assessment and further vaccine doses, even if you have been fully vaccinated. The good news is that pre-exposure vaccination makes treatment much simpler. Vaccinated travellers usually need just 2 further doses and do not normally need rabies immunoglobulin. Unvaccinated travellers need a longer course and may also need immunoglobulin.
PrEP vs PEP: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Pre-Exposure (PrEP) | Post-Exposure (PEP) |
|---|---|---|
| When it is given | Before travel or at-risk work | As soon as possible after a bite, scratch or lick on broken skin |
| Purpose | Primes your immune system in advance | Prevents the virus causing disease after exposure |
| Typical number of doses | 3 doses over 3 to 4 weeks | Depends on previous vaccination (see below) |
| Where it is given | A travel clinic such as ours in Brixton | A hospital or clinic, abroad or in the UK |
What Treatment Will You Need After a Bite?
Having the vaccine before travel makes a big difference to the treatment you need if you are exposed. The exact schedule will be decided by the doctor treating you, but the table below shows the general picture for healthy adults based on UK guidance.
| Your vaccination status | Vaccine doses after exposure | Rabies immunoglobulin |
|---|---|---|
| Fully vaccinated before travel | Usually 2 doses (days 0 and 3) | Not normally needed |
| Not vaccinated, or course incomplete | A longer course, usually 4 doses over 3 weeks | Often needed, depending on risk |
Rabies immunoglobulin is in short supply in many parts of the world. Unvaccinated travellers may need to travel long distances, or even fly home, to get it in time. This is one of the most practical reasons to have the vaccine before you go.
What to Do If You Are Bitten or Scratched Abroad
Acting quickly is essential. If you have contact with an animal that could carry rabies, follow these steps:
- Wash the wound straight away with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes, as recommended by the WHO
- Apply an antiseptic such as povidone-iodine or alcohol, if available
- Seek medical help urgently, ideally the same day, even if you have been vaccinated
- Note the type of animal, where it happened and, if safe, whether the animal can be observed
- Do not wait for symptoms to appear, as treatment must start before symptoms develop
- Keep a record of any vaccines or immunoglobulin you receive and bring it home with you
- Contact your GP or NHS 111 on your return, especially if you could not complete treatment abroad
Factors That Influence Vaccine Duration
Several factors can affect how well protected you are after vaccination, including:
- Completing the primary course: finishing all recommended doses is vital for strong and lasting immune memory. An incomplete course may mean you need the longer treatment schedule after a bite.
- Your individual immune response: most people respond very well, but people with a weakened immune system, for example due to certain medicines or health conditions, may respond less strongly and may need extra doses or antibody checks.
- Your ongoing level of risk: people at frequent or continued risk may be advised to have a booster. Routine antibody testing is mainly for people at occupational risk, such as laboratory workers, rather than for most travellers.
Who Should Consider the Rabies Vaccine?
Rabies vaccination is not needed for every trip, but it is worth considering if any of the following apply to you:
- You are travelling to a country where rabies is common in dogs or other animals
- You will be in remote or rural areas, far from a hospital that stocks rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin
- You are planning a long stay, backpacking trip or repeat visits
- You will be cycling, running or trekking, as dogs often chase people on foot or bike
- You will be working or volunteering with animals
- You are travelling with children, who are more likely to be bitten on the head and neck
- You will be exploring caves, where bats may be present
Maintaining Protection
At Brixton Travel Clinic, we recommend that anyone at potential risk of rabies exposure speaks to a healthcare professional about the best vaccination schedule for their plans. Keep a record of the dates of your primary course, as this helps any doctor treating you abroad decide which schedule you need after a bite.
For frequent travellers, especially those visiting rural areas or countries with high rabies prevalence, it is worth reviewing your protection before each trip. We can check your vaccination history and advise whether a booster is recommended for you, based on your level of risk and current UK guidance (UKHSA Green Book).
- Start your course at least 4 weeks before you travel so you have time to finish it
- Save a photo of your vaccination record on your phone
- Never approach, feed or stroke stray dogs, cats or monkeys, however friendly they seem
- Keep food out of sight around monkeys at temples and tourist sites
- Carry soap in your day bag so you can wash any wound straight away
- Make sure your travel insurance covers emergency treatment and repatriation
Protection and Immunity
Understanding the history and effectiveness of the rabies vaccine helps travellers make informed decisions about their health. A completed primary course gives long-lasting immune memory, and for most travellers routine boosters are not needed. However, no traveller should ever think of the vaccine as a reason to skip treatment after a bite. Its real value is that it buys you time and makes post-exposure treatment simpler, quicker and easier to access.
The rabies vaccine remains one of the most significant achievements in preventive medicine, offering vital protection against a disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms develop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a booster if I had the rabies vaccine years ago?
Not necessarily. Once you have completed a primary course, your immune system keeps a long-lasting memory of the virus, and most travellers do not need routine boosters. A booster may be advised if you are at continued or frequent risk, for example if you travel often to high-risk areas or work with animals. Bring your vaccination record to your appointment and our clinicians will advise based on your history and plans.
If I have had the vaccine, do I still need treatment after a bite?
Yes, always. The vaccine does not give complete protection on its own. If you are bitten, scratched or licked on broken skin, wash the wound thoroughly and seek medical help urgently. Vaccinated travellers usually need 2 further doses of vaccine and do not normally need rabies immunoglobulin, which makes treatment far easier to arrange abroad.
How far in advance should I get the rabies vaccine?
Ideally, start your course at least 4 weeks before you travel, as the standard UK schedule takes 3 to 4 weeks to complete. If you are travelling sooner, speak to us as soon as possible. An accelerated schedule may be possible, and even a partial course can be discussed, although you would then need the fuller treatment schedule after any exposure.
Can children have the rabies vaccine?
Yes, the rabies vaccine can be given to children, using the same doses and schedule as adults. Children are often at higher risk because they are drawn to animals, may not tell an adult about a bite or lick, and are more likely to be bitten on the face or neck. We often recommend that the whole family is assessed together before a trip to a high-risk area.
Are there side effects from the rabies vaccine?
The rabies vaccine is generally well tolerated. Common side effects include soreness, redness or swelling where the injection was given, as well as headache, tiredness, aching muscles or feeling slightly unwell for a day or two. Serious allergic reactions are very rare, and our clinicians are trained to manage them. If you have had a reaction to a vaccine in the past, let us know during your consultation.
Can I have the rabies vaccine if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
If you have a possible rabies exposure, you should receive post-exposure treatment whether or not you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as rabies is almost always fatal. For vaccination before travel, the decision depends on your level of risk. Your clinician will weigh up the risks and benefits with you, and the vaccine may be recommended where the risk of exposure is significant.
What happens if I did not finish my rabies vaccine course?
If you have only had part of the primary course, you may not be fully primed, and you could need the longer post-exposure schedule, possibly including immunoglobulin, after a bite. It may be possible to complete your course without starting again, depending on how many doses you had and when. Bring any records you have and we will work out the best next step for you.
Book Your Rabies Vaccination in Brixton
For tailored advice on rabies vaccination and to make sure you are protected for your travels, our team at Brixton Travel Clinic is here to help. We can review your itinerary, check your vaccination history, and advise on rabies and any other travel vaccinations you may need.
This guide is intended as general information and is no substitute for a personal assessment. You can schedule your appointment online, pop into our clinic at 222 Coldharbour Ln, London SW9 8SA, or contact Brixton Travel Clinic on 02077334075 to talk through your plans first. Our dedicated team is here to keep your journeys safe and worry-free.
You are also welcome to use the form below to book now.
