Rabies vaccination - Sri Lanka

[Mammyofonlyone]

We're just about to book our Sri Lankan holiday and am wondering about vaccines. Obviously I will consult our GP for advice but just wondering if people have paid to have it done for Sri Lanka. On other trips we haven't felt it was worthwhile but not too sure about Sri Lanka - online opinions are pretty vague so far. Thank you

www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/asia-east/sri-lanka will you be in remote areas or close to animals?

Thx pixie, I've seen that site. Tbh I'm not sure what classes as remote. I'll ask the lady who is booking the trip

Will you be in a hotel? Travelling about in remote areas?

I had the rabies vaccine because I worked with animals, bats in particular, why would you need it there?

Pixie, yes, we are in hotels and lodges. We will be going out to see elephants, monkeys, etc with our guide
The reason I'm wondering if we need it is because the NHS website suggests it's one to consider.

We went a few years ago and didn't bother - we also saw monkeys, elephants, dogs etc but none really came close to us at all. I'd probably not bother to be honest.

Thx lewk

My DH went to see the nurse last week as he's off to India at the end of the month & we're off to Sri Lanka at Easter. She said (and I've not checked) that they advise the same jabs for both countries. He's up to date with Tetanus and Hep A and she gave him a Typhoid injection - didn't mention Hep B or Rabies. Don't think we're going to do it as I don't think we'll get that close!

Thx SJ

Just got back from Sri Lanka and although there are a LOT of dogs (and a few bats) they never came near us and in the main visitor places they were either kept out or clearly got scared away.

One or two were on the beaches but again we were never bothered by any. On a bike ride the local dogs appeared to belong to people and were docile.

We are going to have one for Africa next summer but the nurse I saw (who comes from Zambia) said we should definitely do it. She said guidelines can be a bit wishy washy, but didn’t think it was needed for Sri Lanka as medical provision would be better and we weren’t going outside of the standard tourist routes.

We loved sri Lanka, it’s a paradise island.