Rabies vaccinations in the UK

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Rabies vaccinations

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Rabies is a fatal viral disease from animal bites
and scratches, that claims 60,000 100,000 lives
per year worldwide. Every year 15-20 million
people need treatment following an animal
exposure (bite, scratch or lick) that could have
a rabies risk. Less than a handful of people have
ever survived rabies as far as we know. It is
almost always fatal (Rabies Travel Vaccinations).

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Pre-exposure vaccination is a highly effective
measure in lowering the risk of this disease
following a bite or scratch from a suspected
rabid animal. Pre-exposure vaccination does NOT
just buy you time". Vaccinations against rabies
has taken on added importance since human rabies
immunoglobulin (the antidote called HRIG) has
been in limited supply in the countries where the
rabies risk is highest  East Asia (India,
Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia
including Bali, etc.), Sub-Saharan Africa and
Latin America.

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Rabies prevention, before you go
Book an appointment for a pre-travel consultation
at least 6 weeks before you are due to travel. A
rabies vaccine is available for travellers who
are considered to be at risk of rabies. Your
healthcare provider will be able to talk to you
about your risk of rabies and any other disease
risks in your chosen destination. Please note
that receiving rabies vaccine prior to travel
does not eliminate the need for a medical
evaluation if you are exposed to a possibly rabid
animal during your trip. Urgent medical advice
should always be sought following any possible
exposure to rabies additional doses of rabies
vaccine may be needed. You can help to ensure you
receive the correct treatment after a possible
exposure to rabies by keeping a record of your
rabies vaccinations with you at all times whilst
you are traveling. It is important to show this
to the doctor or nurse treating you after any
potential rabies exposure. For future trips
booster doses may be recommended, so check with
your practice nurse or doctor before traveling
overseas.

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What if you dont get vaccinated before
traveling?
If you do not have rabies vaccination before
traveling, you may need more intensive treatment
in the event of a potential exposure to rabies,
including a treatment called immunoglobulin,
which will be followed by 5 doses of the rabies
vaccine over the course of the following
month.Rabies immunoglobulin is vital for
immediate protection but it has been difficult to
obtain in some countries for a number of years
now. In such cases you may need to quickly travel
to a nearby country or home to the UK for
immediate treatment.While you are there, what can
you do to protect yourself from rabies?

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• Avoid contact with wild and domestic animals
• Do not approach animals or attempt to pick up an
  unusually tame animal or one that appears unwell
• Do not attract stray animals by offering food or
  by being careless with litter
• Be aware that certain activities can attract dogs
  (e.g. running, cycling)
• Be aware that children are at higher risk of
  rabies as they are less likely to avoid contact
  with animals or report a lick or bite.
• If you are bitten, scratched, or licked on an
  open wound (such as a cut or a patch of eczema)
  or mucous membrane (eyes, nose or mouth) you must
  seek medical attention immediately.
• Never think that a wound is so small it cant be
  a risk. If the skin is broken then the rabies
  virus may be able to enter.

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What should you do if you are exposed to rabies?

• Remember, this is an emergency seek medical
  advice without delay, even if you had the rabies
  vaccine before you traveled. Immediately flush
  the wound with plenty of soap or detergent under
  running tap water for at least 15-20 minutes
• Do not scrub the wound
• If possible apply an iodine solution or neat
  alcohol (40-70)
• Do not cover the wound or apply a pressure
  dressing
• Wash any animal saliva from your face immediately
  with plenty of water to stop it from getting into
  your eyes, nose or mouth
• Seek urgent medical attention with out delay
  (even if you have had a course of rabies vaccine
  previously).
• You might also need antibiotics to prevent the
  wound becoming infected.
• Further information for travellers regarding
  rabies vaccinations is available from Public
  Health England in chapter 27 of The Green Book
   Rabies.

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Rabies vaccination at TravelDoc
The primary rabies vaccination course comprises
three rabies vaccines given over 3-4 weeks, on
days 0, 7 and 21-28.This provides cover for a
number of years but a booster should be given if
travelling to a high risk area in the future
(usually 5 years).The rabies vaccines used are
NON-LIVE and therefore do not usually lead to
flu-like or febrile illness. A pre-exposure
course of rabies vaccinations means that if you
are unlucky enough to be bitten or scratched by a
suspected rabid animal, you will not need human
rabies immunoglobulin (the antidote, known as
HRIG).Rabies vaccine (Intradermal) costs just 30
per dose at TravelDoc. The full course consists
of three doses over 3-4 weeks. A booster is
required after 5 years. The vaccine is not live
and therefore does not make you unwell. It is
very well tolerated. The vaccine does not go into
the stomach (it goes into the arm like all other
travel vaccines).

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THANKS!
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