Rabies vaccination

[Lookingforadvice123]

Hi all, DH and I are off to Kuala Lumpur and Bali in August. We are planning on having the rabies vaccination (at £165 each!) to be safe. Has anyone had this, and what side effects were experienced? We have to have three lots, and we've got so much on over the next few weeks neither of us can afford to be ill!
Thanks!

If you are going to be able to access good medical facilities within 24 hours of wherever you are staying/travelling then you may not need the vaccine.

All it does is buy you time to get to a proper medical facility. You still need medical attention if you have a potential rabies contact.

hmm sorry but I was really poorly after this one. you need to space all/any vaccinations out as much as you can beyond the recommended spacing. not sure you really need it though. it only buys time and you will still need quick medical attention. would suggest you chat with someone from the hospital for tropical diseases in London and see what they say.

I would actually say not to do it. Do not touch ANY mammals, however cuddly - cats, dogs, whatever, and stay well away from monkeys.

if you were to be bitten or licked, both these places are in reach of the good medical care you will then need ASAP.

remember both are dengue zones; 24/7 DEET essential

Sorry specialsubject what does that mean?

dengue fever is endemic in all tropical areas. You have to be fairly unlucky to catch it on holiday, but believe me it is no fun at all. A second attack can be life-threatening, so once you've had it you need to think hard about returning to tropical zones. (be grateful you don't live in one).

no vaccine so heavy mosquito precautions needed at all times. Big cities get regular outbreaks, KL certainly does.

these places are not warmer versions of Tenerife and have separate hazards. Not saying don't go but BE AWARE.

I have had the rabies jab - no side effects.

We did not have it due to the fact it only buys you time. For 4 of us, it was a lot of money. Nurse thought it was not worth it either.

If you are bitten and you have not been vaccinated you will need an anti rabies shot. You need to make sure this is available in the country you are visiting. If it is I personally would not bother with the shots. I had one as I live I'm China and, if bitten, would need to be evacuated to Hong Kong for treatment.

We had the rabies vaccinations a couple of years ago for Bali and did not have any side effects.

We had the jabs done at a Superdrug Travel Clinic. I can't exactly remember the details but we ended up getting about £25 off the last jab - it was something to do with building up points on my Superdrug beauty card for the first two vaccinations and using the points accumulated to contribute to the cost of the final jab. I'm not sure if there was a promotion on at the time but might be worth looking into if you want to save a bit on the cost.

www.nathnac.org/travel/factsheets/rabies1.htm
The vaccine just gives you extra time, you need to seek immediate medical attention even if you've had it.
I'd suggest you discuss the risk with your Practice Nurse.

We live in SE Asia and don't know anyone who has the rabies vax as a precaution. One person I know was bitten by a dog in Bali so had the course of vaccinations. All was well.

We looked into it and decided not to have it on balance.
If you visit the monkey temple in Ubud, don't take any food in and don't buy the food there to feed the monkeys and they stay away. I can't remember the beach dogs coming near and a lot of them are "owned" but come and go as they please, so you might see a scruffy looking dog hanging around but he's got a nice home to go to and is healthy.