The Rabies Vaccine in London: Everything You Need to Know

The Rabies Vaccine in London: Everything You Need to Know

04 / Apr

The Rabies Vaccine: Everything You Need to Know by Murrays Chemist, featuring a vintage cartoon of a vaccine in a retro backstop.

Planning a trip abroad? Need a rabies vaccine in a convenient location like Shoreditch in London? (We’re only a few minutes walk from Old Street Underground Station on the Northern Line.) Your luck is in, you’re at your final destination.

Our Rabies Vaccine Prices

We get that for most people, the journey online for Rabies Vaccinations is a race to find the cheapest one available.

Our goal is to make healthcare accessible and transparent for everyone in our community. Here’s a quick breakdown of the cost for our rabies vaccination service:

  • Rabies vaccine – £62 per dose (3 doses required for full immunity). £186 total.

Note: Vaccine stock can vary, and prices might change over time. We also charge a £10 consultation fee for the clinic appointment, where you’ll receive a health consultation ensuring that the vaccine is the right option for you.

At Murray’s Chemist, we offer the rabies vaccination as part of our comprehensive travel clinic services. Booking an appointment on our system is easy and we seriously doubt you’ll find it cheaper elsewhere – so prepare to cross “get my vaccination” off your travel checklist.

Call our friendly clinic team a call on 0207 253 9859 or book your appointment online at the bottom of this page.

Not ready to book just yet? Find out more about our Rabies Vaccination service below.

Rabies is rare, but it’s one of the most severe infections in the world – if someone contracts rabies and doesn’t get treated, it is almost always fatal (in fact, rabies has a 100% fatality rate if untreated).

For travellers, the most likely way to catch rabies is from a bite or scratch by an infected animal, often a stray dog. Fortunately, you can protect yourself by getting a rabies vaccine before you travel.

Everybody thinks it won’t happen to them. Or that it only happens when approaching a vicious dog, defying all common sense…but in reality that’s rarely the case. A visit to an elephant sanctuary, stroking a cat, a child approaching a small, harmless looking dog…all of these are things people don’t often consider the risks of, and that’s just abroad. People working with animals domestically get the vaccine because with animals, you just never know.

For urgent cases or last-minute travel plans, we also offer emergency vaccination appointments – just give us a call and we’ll do our best to accommodate you as soon as possible. It’s also a good idea to stay informed about health risks at your destination. We recommend checking the NHS Fit for Travel website regularly for the latest information on disease outbreaks around the world. Being informed means you can get the right vaccines (like rabies and others) ahead of your trip.

Who Should Get the Rabies Vaccine?

If you fall into any of the following categories, we strongly suggest getting vaccinated for rabies before you find yourself at risk:

  1. Travellers to high-risk areas – Planning to visit regions where rabies is more common (such as parts of Asia, Africa, or Central and South America)? Getting a rabies shot beforehand is highly recommended.

  2. At-risk occupations – Professional hazards include exposure to rabies. For example, laboratory staff handling animal samples, animal quarantine workers, veterinarians and vet nurses, or wildlife handlers should all consider the rabies vaccine due to their higher risk.

  3. Possible exposure incidents – If you’ve potentially been exposed to rabies (for instance, you were bitten by a wild or stray animal while abroad), you should get the rabies vaccine as soon as possible. In this case, receiving the vaccine promptly can help stop the virus from taking hold.

    Remember: even after a post-exposure vaccination, you should seek immediate medical attention if you suspect you’ve been exposed to rabies. This is why Rabies vaccinations are essential when travelling to countries where the healthcare systems are either remote or less advanced.

What to Expect at Your Rabies Vaccination Appointment

You’ll receive the rabies vaccine as a course of three injections, spaced over 21 to 28 days for maximum effectiveness. In emergencies, we can administer the doses closer together, but this approach offers less protection and isn’t recommended unless absolutely necessary.

Had the vaccine before? You may only need a booster. We’ll help assess your needs based on your destination and duration of your stay.

📍 Tip: It’s best to get your first rabies jab at least 4 weeks before travel. This allows time for all doses and full protection.

Your well-being is our top priority, and we want you to feel comfortable every step of the way. When you come in for a rabies vaccination, here’s what you can expect during your visit:

  1. Pre-vaccination consultation: First, you’ll meet with our pharmacist, a travel health and vaccination expert. They will review your vaccination record and medical history to ensure that the rabies vaccine is appropriate and safe for you.

  2. Approval and preparation: Next, based on the consultation, we’ll confirm that the rabies vaccine is recommended in your case. If everything looks good, our pharmacist will prepare the vaccine dose for you.

  3. Vaccination: Finally, we’ll administer the rabies shot (typically in your upper arm). It’s quick and relatively painless – and just like that, you’ll be protected for your upcoming travels!

Frequently Asked Questions

💬 How much does the rabies vaccine cost in London?

Prices vary by provider, but Murray’s Chemist provide the lowest cost on the market at £62 per dose, plus £10 for a consultation. This works out at £196 in total.

We’ll save you time as well as money, in telling you you won’t find it cheaper elsewhere.

💬 Do I need a Rabies Booster?

Already had the Rabies vaccine? The vaccine is estimated to provide full protection for between 1-2 years. If your vaccination was further back than that, we advise getting a booster. They do not cost as much as a first-time vaccination.

💬 Is the rabies vaccine safe for children?

Yes, it’s safe for children and especially recommended if you’re travelling to countries with free-roaming animals.

💬 Does the rabies vaccine have side effects?

Most side effects are mild, such as redness at the injection site or a low-grade fever.

Rabies vaccines can contain egg protein or small amounts of antibiotics called polymyxin B, streptomycin and neomycin. Tell the person vaccinating you if you have a severe allergy to eggs or any of these antibiotics.

💬 How long does rabies vaccine protection last?

Typically several years, but a booster may be recommended if it’s been over a year or if you’re travelling again soon. Boosters do not cost as much as a first-time vaccine.

💬 Do I need the Rabies vaccine?

There is currently no legal requirement to obtain the Rabies vaccine for travel. However, given the lethal nature of the virus, vaccination as prevention is advised in the strongest possible fashion. For the ultimate word on health when travelling abroad, check the UK Government’s Foreign Travel Advice page, which is continually updated.

⚠️ Important

The rabies vaccine does not fully protect everyone from rabies.

You should get medical help as soon as possible if you think you may have been exposed to rabies, even if you’ve been vaccinated.

Here’s a Breakdown of All the Travel Vaccinations We Offer

If you’re travelling to countries where Rabies is a higher risk, there’s a reasonable chance you might need additional vaccinations.

In addition to rabies vaccines, we provide a wide range of other vaccines at our travel clinic. Below is an overview of our travel vaccination offerings and their prices:

Vaccine Price
Consultation (travel advice) £10
Cholera £29 per dose (2 doses required)
Diphtheria, Tetanus & Polio £35 (single booster dose)
Hepatitis A (Adult) £45 (single dose)
Hepatitis B (Adult) £40 per dose (multiple doses required)
Hepatitis A & B (Adult, combined) £80 (full course, multiple doses)
Hepatitis A (Paediatric) £45 (single dose)
Japanese Encephalitis £95 per dose (2 doses required)
Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) £45 (single dose)
Meningitis ACWY £45 (single dose)
Typhoid £35 (single dose)
Hepatitis B (Paediatric) £27 per dose (multiple doses required)
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) £180 per dose (3 doses required)
Pneumococcal (Pneumonia) Vaccine £70 (single dose)

Book Your Rabies Vaccination Now

We’re here to help you stay safe on your travels. If you have any questions about the rabies vaccine (or any other travel vaccines), please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. When you’re ready, go ahead and book your rabies vaccination appointment using our online calendar below – it’s quick and easy!

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This article has been reviewed and approved by Murray’s Chemist Superintendent Pharmacist : Chittal Ashvin Patel.