The rabies pre-exposure travel vaccine in Chislehurst and London. Who needs it, the course and timing, side effects, and what to do if bitten abroad. Same-day appointments, no GP referral.
If you are travelling to a part of the world where rabies is a risk, the pre-exposure rabies vaccine is one of the most worthwhile things to sort before you go. At Chislehurst Pharmacy Group we provide it from our two pharmacies in Chislehurst, looking after travellers across Bromley and London, with same-day and next-day appointments and no GP referral needed.
Rabies is a viral infection of the brain and nervous system, spread through the bite, scratch or lick of an infected animal. Dogs are the most common source worldwide, but cats, bats, monkeys and other mammals can carry it too. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal, which is why prevention matters so much. The reassuring part is that it is preventable: with the right treatment after exposure, and with pre-exposure vaccination beforehand, the risk to travellers is very low.
Being vaccinated before you travel does three important things if you are ever exposed. It reduces the number of treatment doses you need afterwards, it removes the need for rabies immunoglobulin, which is scarce and hard to obtain in many countries, and it buys you valuable time to reach proper care. For travellers heading somewhere remote, or where good medical help may be hours or days away, that head start can be the difference that matters most.
Rabies vaccination is worth discussing if your trip involves any of the following:
India carries the highest risk for travellers and accounts for most UK travel-related cases, so if you are heading there it is well worth a conversation. See our guides on whether you need the rabies vaccine for India and for Thailand.
Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is a course of three doses, given as an injection into the upper arm, usually on day 0, around day 7 and around day 28, so it takes up to about a month to complete. You are protected once the course is finished. Guidance on rabies schedules has been changing, and where time is short a quicker schedule may sometimes be possible, so your prescriber confirms the right plan for you at your consultation. If you travel often to risk areas, a booster may be advised after a year or so. We cover this in our guide to the rabies vaccine schedule and how many doses you need.
This is the part everyone should know before they fly. If an animal bites, scratches or licks broken skin, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes, then seek urgent local medical attention straight away. Do not wait until you are back in the UK. This applies even if you have had the pre-exposure vaccine, because you will still need treatment; the difference is that you will need less of it and it will be simpler to obtain. Let your GP know on your return as well.
The rabies vaccine is well tolerated for most people. The most common effects are soreness, redness or swelling where the injection is given, along with headache, muscle aches or tiredness, and these usually settle within a day or two. More serious reactions are uncommon, and we check your history before vaccinating. Tell us about any previous vaccine reactions, whether you are pregnant, and any medicines you take, as a few of these need a short conversation first.
The pre-exposure course is £85 per dose, and as it is a three-dose course the full price is £255. We confirm your exact plan and price at your consultation before anything is given, and you only pay for the doses you have. If you need other travel vaccines or malaria tablets as well, we will go through those at the same appointment. You can read more in our guide to the rabies vaccine cost.
You can book online or call either pharmacy. Our travel consultations take around 30 minutes, and where the vaccine is needed and in stock we can start the course at the same appointment. There is no GP referral to arrange. Ideally come to us in good time before you travel so the course can be completed, though we will always do our best for last-minute travellers. For the full range of jabs and advice, see our travel clinic services.
No. Pre-exposure vaccination is not full protection. If you are bitten, scratched or licked on broken skin, you must still wash the wound and seek urgent medical help abroad straight away. The vaccine means you need less treatment and no immunoglobulin, and gives you more time to reach care.
The pre-exposure course is three doses over up to about a month, usually day 0, around day 7 and around day 28. Your prescriber confirms the exact plan at your consultation, as timing can depend on how soon you travel and current guidance.
Ideally several weeks before travel, so the course can be completed before you go. If time is short, book anyway, as a quicker schedule may be possible and we will prioritise what protects you most.
India is the highest-risk destination for travellers, and much of Southeast Asia including Thailand carries risk too, particularly for longer, rural or adventure trips. We assess your exact itinerary and advise accordingly.
Yes. Children can have the rabies vaccine, and they are often a priority because they are more likely to approach animals and less likely to report a bite. We assess each child individually.
After a completed course, a booster may be advised if you travel again to a risk area after a year or so, and less often after that for frequent travellers. We will note your dates and advise when a booster is due.
This information covers pre-exposure rabies vaccination for travel and is general education, not medical advice. It does not cover treatment after a bite or scratch, which is an urgent matter: seek immediate medical attention. Rabies vaccines are prescription-only and given after a consultation where clinically appropriate.
Ready to take the next step?
Book your consultation at either Chislehurst Pharmacy Group location. Same-day and next-day appointments usually available.
