Overview
Rabies is a viral infection that is almost always fatal once symptoms develop. It is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals — most commonly through bites or scratches from dogs, but also bats, monkeys, and cats. Rabies is present on every continent except Antarctica, but the highest risk is in Asia and Africa. Pre-exposure vaccination does not provide complete immunity — if you are bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal, you will still need post-exposure treatment. However, it dramatically simplifies that treatment: instead of needing a full 4–5 dose course plus hard-to-find rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG), you need only 2 booster doses. In many endemic countries, HRIG is simply not available — making pre-exposure vaccination potentially life-saving. At Holborn Clinic, we provide the full 3-dose pre-exposure course using WHO-approved vaccines. We can plan the schedule around your departure date and combine it with other travel vaccinations in the same appointments.