Days 0, 7 and 21–28 — book at least 4 weeks out to fit it all in.
Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms show — pre-exposure vaccination buys you time and simpler treatment if you're ever bitten. Our Wythenshawe pharmacy runs the three-dose course for trips to South Asia, Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.
It won't remove the need for care if you're bitten, but it buys you crucial time
Once symptoms appear, rabies is close to universally fatal — it attacks the nervous system and spreads through bites, scratches or saliva, with dogs responsible for roughly 99% of human cases worldwide. The pre-exposure course is three doses (days 0, 7, and 21 or 28), covering you for around 2 to 3 years. It won't remove the need for care if you're bitten, but it cuts down what treatment you'll need and buys time in places where that care is harder to reach.
Days 0, 7 and 21–28 — book at least 4 weeks out to fit it all in.
Vaccinated and later bitten? Usually just 2 more doses, no immunoglobulin — unvaccinated people need 5 doses plus immunoglobulin, which isn't always available locally.
Especially remote or rural trips, trekking, and travelling with kids, who get bitten more and report it less.
A viral infection from animal bites, present in over 150 countries
Once symptoms show, it's almost always fatal — that's what makes prevention worthwhile.
Bites, scratches or saliva from infected animals spread it — dogs account for around 99% of human cases.
Over 150 countries report cases, with South Asia, Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa hit hardest.
Pre-exposure vaccination plus prompt wound care makes a real difference if you're bitten.
Wash the wound with soap and water for a full 15 minutes, apply antiseptic, and get medical attention as quickly as you can — even if you've done the pre-exposure course. The vaccine simplifies things, it doesn't replace urgent medical care.
Two groups where this genuinely matters
If proper medical care and immunoglobulin might be a long way off where you're headed, this is worth arranging.
If your job puts you near animals abroad on a regular basis, this one's for you.
Priced per dose — we'll confirm your full course cost at the first visit
Price is per dose. Full course is 3 doses over 21–28 days — this isn't an NHS travel service.
Three visits to our Wythenshawe pharmacy, spread over a month
We confirm the course schedule fits comfortably before you fly.
Given in the upper arm at your first appointment.
Doses on days 7 and 21–28 get scheduled so the full course lands before travel.
A sore arm, headache, nausea, muscle aches or a slight fever.
Worth considering given kids get bitten more often and mention it less.
Travel rabies vaccination sits outside the NHS, so book with us directly.
No — you'll still need medical attention. What the pre-exposure course changes is how much treatment you need: typically 2 more doses and no immunoglobulin, versus 5 doses plus immunoglobulin if unvaccinated.
At least 4 weeks before you travel, to fit in all three doses (days 0, 7 and 21–28).
Wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes, apply antiseptic, and get to a doctor as fast as you can — vaccinated or not.
A 2-dose accelerated schedule can work in some circumstances — tell us your travel dates and we'll see what fits.
Usually mild — a sore arm, headache, nausea, muscle aches or a slight fever. Serious reactions are rare.
Choose a time that suits you at our Bowland clinic
Book with our Wythenshawe team — the course takes a few weeks, so don't leave it too late.