Rabies Vaccination
๐ Rabies Vaccination in Prescot
Private Rabies Travel Vaccine at Prescriptions Pharmacy
๐ Prescriptions Pharmacy provides private Rabies vaccination in Prescot for travellers who may be at risk of animal bites, scratches or exposure while abroad.
Rabies is present in many parts of the world and can be spread through the bite, scratch or lick of an infected animal. Vaccination may be recommended for remote travel, backpacking, long-stay trips, animal work and destinations where urgent medical care may be difficult to access.
๐งญ What Is Rabies?
Rabies is a serious viral infection that affects the nervous system. Once symptoms develop, rabies is almost always fatal, so prevention and urgent treatment after exposure are extremely important.
๐ Rabies is commonly spread by bites from infected mammals, including dogs
๐ Scratches, licks on broken skin and contact with saliva can also carry risk
๐ฆ Bats can carry rabies-like viruses in some regions
๐ Urgent medical advice is needed after any possible rabies exposure
๐ Pre-travel vaccination helps prime your immune system before exposure
๐ Rabies vaccination reduces risk and simplifies post-exposure treatment, but it does not remove the need for urgent medical help after a possible exposure.
โ๏ธ Who May Need a Rabies Vaccine?
Rabies vaccination may be recommended depending on your destination, length of stay, planned activities, access to healthcare and likelihood of animal contact.
๐ Backpackers and long-stay travellers
๐๏ธ Travellers visiting rural or remote areas
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐ง Children travelling to higher-risk areas, as they may be more likely to approach animals
๐พ Veterinary workers, animal handlers and wildlife workers
๐ Travellers going to areas where prompt post-exposure treatment may be difficult to access
๐งณ People undertaking adventure travel, cycling, trekking, volunteering or field work abroad
Your pharmacist will assess your itinerary, travel style and animal exposure risk before advising whether rabies vaccination is recommended.
๐ Rabies Vaccine Schedule
Rabies pre-exposure vaccination is usually given as a course of injections before travel.
๐ Standard schedule: 3 doses on days 0, 7 and 21 or 28
โ๏ธ Ideally started at least 4 weeks before travel where possible
โก Accelerated schedule: may be possible on days 0, 3 and 7 if there is not enough time before travel
๐ A further dose may be advised at 1 year if you continue travelling to high-risk areas
๐ Your pharmacist will advise the most suitable schedule for your travel dates and risk level
Rabies vaccination does not remove the need for urgent medical treatment after a possible exposure. Always seek medical help as soon as possible after an animal bite, scratch or lick on broken skin.
๐ What To Do After an Animal Bite or Scratch
If you are bitten, scratched or licked on broken skin by an animal in a rabies-risk country, act immediately.
๐ฟ Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for several minutes
๐งด Apply an antiseptic where available
๐ฅ Seek urgent medical help locally, even if you have been vaccinated
๐ Further post-exposure rabies vaccines may still be needed
๐ Keep a record of your previous rabies vaccinations with you when travelling
๐พ Occupational and Animal Contact Risk
Rabies vaccination may also be relevant for some occupational, study and volunteering roles.
๐พ Veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and animal care workers
๐ฆ Bat workers and wildlife handlers
๐ Humanitarian workers and field workers in higher-risk countries
๐ฅ Healthcare workers in settings where rabies exposure may occur
๐ Students undertaking overseas electives or animal-related placements
๐ Related Travel Vaccines
Rabies vaccination may be considered alongside other travel vaccines depending on your destination and activities.
๐ Japanese Encephalitis Vaccination
May be relevant for rural travel, longer stays or certain outdoor activities in parts of Asia and the Western Pacific.
๐ Tick-borne Encephalitis Vaccination
May be considered for outdoor travel, walking, camping or forest exposure in certain parts of Europe and Asia.
๐ Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) Vaccination
May be relevant for travel to higher-risk destinations, outdoor activities or remote travel.
๐ Travel Vaccination Clinic
A travel consultation can help identify which vaccines may be recommended for your itinerary.
๐ Once the individual Prescriptions Pharmacy travel pages are live, this section can be updated with direct links.
๐ Check Rabies Travel Advice
Rabies vaccine recommendations vary depending on destination, animal exposure risk, activities and access to medical care.
๐ TravelHealthPro Rabies Information
๐ NHS Rabies Vaccination Information
๐ท Cost of Rabies Vaccination
Rabies vaccination at Prescriptions Pharmacy costs ยฃ85 per dose.
๐ Book Your Rabies Vaccination
Book your Rabies vaccination appointment at Prescriptions Pharmacy in Prescot before you travel.
Where possible, start your rabies vaccination course at least 4 weeks before travel. Accelerated schedules may be possible for last-minute travel.
Book Rabies Vaccinationโ Frequently Asked Questions
How far before travel should I book?
Ideally, start the course at least 4 weeks before travel. If you are travelling sooner, an accelerated schedule may sometimes be possible.
Do I still need treatment after an animal bite if I have had the rabies vaccine?
Yes. You must still seek urgent medical help after a possible rabies exposure. Further post-exposure vaccines may still be required.
Is rabies vaccination only for animal workers?
No. It may also be recommended for travellers visiting remote areas, backpackers, children, long-stay travellers and people who may have limited access to urgent medical care abroad.
Is this an NHS service?
No. This is a private travel vaccination service provided by Prescriptions Pharmacy.
The Pharmacy First service builds on the NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service which has run since October 2019. The consultation service enables patients to be referred into community pharmacy for a minor illness or an urgent repeat medicine supply.