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Travel Clinic

Rabies Vaccine in London

A 3-dose pre-exposure course that simplifies treatment if you are bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal. Essential for travel to areas where rabies is endemic and post-exposure treatment may be delayed.

Starting from

£99

Pre-exposure vaccination for travellers visiting areas where rabies is common. 3-dose course recommended for rural travel, animal contact, or remote areas far from medical care.

Price

£99 per dose

Doses

3 (over 21–28 days)

Protection

Lifelong (with PEP boosters)

Course cost

£297 total

Appointment

~15 min per visit

Overview

Rabies is a viral infection that is almost always fatal once symptoms develop. It is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals — most commonly through bites or scratches from dogs, but also bats, monkeys, and cats. Rabies is present on every continent except Antarctica, but the highest risk is in Asia and Africa. Pre-exposure vaccination does not provide complete immunity — if you are bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal, you will still need post-exposure treatment. However, it dramatically simplifies that treatment: instead of needing a full 4–5 dose course plus hard-to-find rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG), you need only 2 booster doses. In many endemic countries, HRIG is simply not available — making pre-exposure vaccination potentially life-saving. At Holborn Clinic, we provide the full 3-dose pre-exposure course using WHO-approved vaccines. We can plan the schedule around your departure date and combine it with other travel vaccinations in the same appointments.

Holborn Travel Clinic is inside Boutalls Pharmacy at 60 Lamb's Conduit Street, London WC1N 3LW, minutes from Holborn and Russell Square stations.

Who Needs This Vaccine?

  • Travellers visiting countries where rabies is endemic — particularly India, South-East Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Anyone planning to cycle, run, or hike in rural or remote areas where stray dogs are common.
  • Travellers staying for more than a month, or making frequent short trips to endemic areas.
  • People who may have direct contact with animals — veterinary workers, animal sanctuary volunteers, wildlife researchers.
  • Children — they are at higher risk because they are more likely to approach animals and less likely to report a bite or scratch.
  • Travellers visiting areas where post-exposure treatment (PEP) may not be readily available or may take more than 24 hours to reach.

What to Expect

  • The pre-exposure course is 3 doses given over 21–28 days: Day 0, Day 7, and Day 21 (or Day 28).
  • Each dose is a single injection in the upper arm. Appointments take approximately 15 minutes.
  • If you are short on time, an accelerated schedule may be possible — our pharmacist will advise.
  • After the full course, if you are bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal, you will need only 2 booster doses (rather than a full course plus immunoglobulin).
  • A free travel health consultation is included — our pharmacist will review your full itinerary and advise on other vaccines you may need.

Side Effects

  • Very common: soreness, redness, or mild swelling at the injection site.
  • Common: headache, muscle aches, or mild nausea for a day or two after vaccination.
  • Serious allergic reactions are extremely rare. Staff are trained in their management.
Destinations

Common Destinations Requiring This Vaccine

A selection of countries where this vaccine is commonly required — many more may apply. See our destination guides for the full list.

IndiaThailandVietnamCambodiaBali / Indonesia
View all destination guides
Vaccines

Related Vaccines

Other vaccines available at our London clinic. Your pharmacist will confirm what you need for your trip.

RSV VaccineShingles VaccineTick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) VaccineTyphoid Vaccine
View all vaccines
Enquiries

Rabies Vaccine FAQ’s

Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear — there is no cure. It kills an estimated 59,000 people worldwide each year, mostly in Asia and Africa. Pre-exposure vaccination does not eliminate the need for post-exposure treatment, but it simplifies and shortens it significantly, and removes the urgent need for rabies immunoglobulin (which is often unavailable in endemic countries).

Ready to Book?

Same day appointments available. Call ahead to book. No consultation fees.

Book an AppointmentCall 0207 405 1039