Not every traveller needs a rabies vaccine. The need for Rabies Vaccine UK travel vaccination depends on your destination, planned activities, length of stay and how easily you could access medical care if exposed to rabies.
The NHS particularly recommends considering rabies vaccination when travelling somewhere rabies is common, especially if you:
- May come into contact with animals
- Plan outdoor activities such as cycling or running
- Will stay for more than a month
- Are travelling somewhere where medical help may be difficult to access quickly
A travel-health professional can assess your itinerary and explain whether rabies vaccination is appropriate for your trip.
Even if you are vaccinated, you should avoid contact with dogs, cats, bats and other animals in areas where rabies occurs.
If you are bitten, scratched or licked on broken skin by an animal that could have rabies, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately. Do not wait until you return to the UK.