Travelling abroad is exciting, but it also comes with important health considerations. One of the most crucial is ensuring you have the right travel vaccinations for your destination.
Rabies is a rare but deadly viral infection that affects the brain and nervous system. Once symptoms appear, it is almost always fatal – but it is also preventable with vaccination and timely treatment.
This guide explains what rabies is, who needs a rabies vaccine, how the rabies vaccination works, and where to get it in Ireland.
What is Rabies?
Rabies is a viral disease spread through the saliva of infected animals. Transmission occurs via:
- Bites and scratches from animals such as dogs, cats, and bats
- Saliva contact with broken skin, eyes, mouth, or nose
Worldwide, rabies causes around 59,000 deaths per year, mostly from dog bites in Asia and Africa.
If you are bitten, scratched, or licked on broken skin by a potentially rabid animal, you must wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and seek urgent medical attention.
Rabies Symptoms
The incubation period is typically 1 to 3 months, though symptoms can appear after a few days or be delayed for more than a year.
Early rabies symptoms include:
- Tingling, numbness, or pain at the bite site
- Fever, headache, or weakness
Advanced rabies symptoms include:
- Difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, or hydrophobia (fear of water)
- Anxiety, hallucinations, or confusion
- Paralysis and breathing difficulties
⚠️ Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal – which is why urgent vaccination after exposure is essential.
How Does the Rabies Vaccine Work?
The rabies vaccine contains an inactivated virus that trains your immune system to recognise and fight rabies.
There are two types of vaccination:
- Pre-Exposure Rabies Vaccination (PrEP)
- Recommended for travellers to high-risk areas, animal workers, and long-term visitors.
- Given as 2–3 injections over several weeks.
- Boosters may be required depending on risk level and guidelines.
- Post-Exposure Rabies Vaccination (PEP)
- Required after any possible exposure (bite, scratch, or saliva contact).
- If never vaccinated before:
- 4–5 doses of rabies vaccine (depending on country guidelines).
- Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is given into and around the wound for immediate protection.
- If previously vaccinated:
- Only 2 booster doses are needed.
- RIG is not required.
Who Needs a Rabies Vaccination?
You should consider a rabies vaccination if you are:
- Travelling to or living in Asia, Africa, Central or South America
- Visiting remote areas with limited medical access
- Working with animals (veterinarians, wildlife workers, researchers)
- Spending extended time outdoors (hiking, cycling, caving, camping) in high-risk regions
- Children in high-risk areas (more likely to play with animals and not report bites)
How to Reduce the Risk of Rabies While Travelling
- Avoid contact with stray dogs, cats, and wild animals
- Do not feed or pet unfamiliar animals
- Educate children not to approach animals abroad
- If bitten or scratched:
- Wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes
- Disinfect with iodine or alcohol if available
- Seek immediate medical care for assessment and vaccination
Where to Get a Rabies Vaccine in Ireland
If you’re planning international travel, check whether your destination requires or recommends vaccinations.
At Roxboro Medical Centre in Limerick, our experienced doctors and nurses provide:
- Rabies vaccination (PrEP and PEP)
- Other travel vaccinations based on your itinerary
- Travel health consultations and first-aid advice
- Official vaccination certificates required for entry to some countries
Book a travel medicine consultation to ensure you are fully protected before your trip.
Rabies Vaccination FAQs
Do I need a rabies vaccine for a short trip?
If you are staying in urban areas with good healthcare access, you may not need pre-exposure vaccination. However, remote travel, outdoor activities, or animal contact increases your risk.
Is the rabies vaccine safe?
Yes. Rabies vaccines are inactivated (killed) virus vaccines, meaning they cannot cause rabies. Side effects are usually mild, such as temporary soreness at the injection site.
What if I miss a vaccine dose?
You should contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. The series may be continued without restarting in most cases.
Travel Safely with Roxboro Medical Centre
Here at Roxboro Medical Centre, our experienced nurses and doctors will take the time to help you find the best healthcare solutions to maintain your health and wellbeing, whether you are travelling or at home. We offer patient focused care via appointment, from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and you can book simply by calling us or by emailing our team.
Our medical centre is located just a short walk from Limerick City centre so it is convenient and accessible and we are specialists in children’s health, men’s health, women’s health and sports medicine. You can book an initial appointment with one of our GPs or contact us online to arrange a travel consultation.
Dr. Lucey is a very keen sportsperson having played both Hurling and Gaelic Football with his native club Croom as well as representing Limerick from the age of 16 in 1996 up to his retirement in 2015. He represented Limerick at Senior level for 17 years with 67 championship appearances, over 30 in each code.
Following on from his interest in sport, Dr. Lucey completed a Masters in Sport & Exercise Medicine from University College Cork graduating in 2009. He is a certified provider of the EMS Swiss Dolorclast method for ESWT (extracorporeal shockwave therapy).
Dr Lucey has worked as doctor for the Limerick Senior, U21 and Minor Football teams, as well as the Limerick Minor Hurling team. He has also worked as doctor for Limerick FC for a number of years.