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Travel & occupational vaccine

Rabies Vaccine in Singapore

Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear — and entirely preventable before then. The rabies vaccine, given before you travel, means that if you're ever bitten you need fewer doses, and none of the immunoglobulin that can be impossible to find abroad.

Book your rabies vaccine Bitten or scratched?
~100%Fatal once symptoms appear
PreventableWith prompt care
3 dosesBefore you travel
AccessibleClinics across Singapore
A vial of rabies vaccine

Bitten, scratched or licked by an animal abroad?

Act immediately — do not wait to see whether it heals. Rabies is preventable if treated before symptoms begin, and untreatable afterwards. This applies to minor scratches and to licks on broken skin, and it applies even if you were vaccinated beforehand.

  1. Wash the wound for 15 minutesImmediately, with soap and plenty of running water. This single step removes much of the virus and saves lives.
  2. Apply antisepticPovidone-iodine or an alcohol-based antiseptic, if you have it.
  3. Seek medical care the same dayGo to a clinic or hospital wherever you are. Do not wait until you return to Singapore.
  4. Tell them your vaccination historyIf you had the rabies vaccine before travelling, you'll need only two further doses and no immunoglobulin.
The disease

What is rabies?

Rabies is a viral infection of the central nervous system, carried in the saliva of infected mammals. It enters the body through a bite, a scratch, or a lick on broken skin or the eyes, nose or mouth — then travels slowly along the nerves to the brain.

The incubation period is usually weeks to months. That delay is what makes prevention possible: there is time to stop the virus before it arrives. Once it reaches the brain and symptoms begin, rabies is almost always fatal.

Singapore has been free of rabies since 1953. The risk is when you travel.

How rabies spreads

  • Dogs — the source of most human cases worldwide
  • Bats — bites can be tiny and easily missed
  • Monkeys — common around temples and tourist sites in Asia
  • Cats and other mammals
  • Through bites, scratches, or licks on broken skin
Two kinds of protection

Rabies vaccine before or after exposure

The rabies vaccine is used in two quite different ways. Understanding the difference is the whole argument for getting vaccinated before you fly.

ScenarioDosesImmunoglobulin needed?
Before travel (pre-exposure)Typically 3 doses — day 0, day 7 and day 28. An accelerated regimen may be possible at short notice.—
After a bite — previously vaccinated2 doses — day 0 and day 3No
After a bite — never vaccinated4 doses — day 0, 3, 7 and 14Yes — rabies immunoglobulin, administered in hospital

Swipe the table sideways to see all columns →

Why bother beforehand

"If I'd still need treatment after a bite, why vaccinate first?"

It's a fair question, and it has a clear answer. Pre-travel vaccination doesn't remove the need for treatment after a bite — it transforms it.

The hardest part of post-exposure treatment is rabies immunoglobulin. It is expensive, often unavailable outside major cities, and must be given quickly. Travellers have been evacuated between countries to find it.

If you were vaccinated beforehand, you don't need it at all — just two straightforward doses of vaccine, available almost anywhere.

What pre-travel vaccination buys you

  • No immunoglobulin needed — the scarce, costly part
  • Post-bite course drops from 4 doses to 2
  • No frantic search for treatment while unwell and far from home
  • Valuable if you'll be remote, or far from good medical care
  • Peace of mind on long or adventurous trips
Is it for you?

Who should get the rabies vaccine?

Pre-exposure vaccination is recommended for higher-risk travel, and for people whose work brings them near animals.

  • Travellers to areas where rabies is common — much of Asia, Africa and South America
  • Those on long, rural or remote trips, far from medical care
  • Cyclists, runners, hikers and campers — more likely to encounter loose dogs
  • Veterinarians, animal handlers and laboratory workers
  • Expatriates and those relocating to affected countries
  • Families with young children — children approach animals, may not report a bite, and are often bitten on the head or hands
Schedule

Rabies vaccine dose & timing

Pre-exposure vaccination is a short series of injections into the upper arm.

Pre-exposure courseTypically three doses — day 0, day 7 and day 28. Start early so the course is complete before you fly.
Travelling at short notice?An accelerated regimen may be possible. Speak to our doctors rather than skipping vaccination altogether.
BoostersA booster around a year later is often advised if you'll travel again to a risk area. Those at ongoing occupational risk may need boosters every 6 months to 2 years.
Alongside other travel vaccinesCan usually be given with your other jabs, and malaria tablets discussed in the same visit.
Safety

Rabies vaccine side effects & precautions

Modern rabies vaccines are inactivated and well tolerated.

Common & mild

  • Soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site
  • A mild fever
  • Headache or muscle aches
  • Usually settles within a day or two

Tell your doctor if you

  • Are unwell or have a fever today
  • Reacted badly to a previous rabies vaccine dose
  • Are allergic to any vaccine component
  • Are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding
  • Have a weakened immune system, or take immunosuppressive medicines

Pre-travel vaccination can usually be deferred in pregnancy. But post-exposure treatment after a genuine bite is never withheld — rabies is fatal, and the vaccine is not.

Rabies immunoglobulin is given in hospital

If you have been bitten and were never vaccinated, you will need rabies immunoglobulin as well as vaccine. This is not routinely stocked at GP clinics — go to the nearest hospital Accident & Emergency department without delay.

Cost

Rabies vaccine cost in Singapore

The rabies vaccine is a travel and occupational vaccine and is self-funded — it isn't covered by CHAS, Healthier SG or other national subsidy schemes. Pre-exposure vaccination is a multi-dose course, so ask us for the full course price rather than the price per dose.

 Ask about rabies vaccination
What to expect

Getting your rabies vaccine

Start the course several weeks before you fly.

1. Tell us your trip

Destination, duration, how remote you'll be, and your activities.

2. Travel health review

We assess your risk and advise on other vaccines and malaria tablets.

3. Your doses

A short series of injections into the upper arm.

4. Recorded for you

Documented in your health record — take the details with you when you travel.

Good to know

Rabies vaccine FAQs

Is rabies really always fatal?
Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal — there is no effective treatment at that stage. But it is entirely preventable. Prompt wound washing and post-exposure vaccination after a bite are extremely effective at stopping the virus before it reaches the brain.
Is there rabies in Singapore?
No. Singapore has been free of rabies since 1953. The risk is when you travel — rabies is present across much of Asia, Africa and South America.
What should I do if I'm bitten or scratched abroad?
Wash the wound immediately with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes, apply an antiseptic such as povidone-iodine if available, and seek medical care urgently — the same day. Do this even for a minor scratch or a lick on broken skin, and even if you were vaccinated beforehand.
If I'm vaccinated, do I still need treatment after a bite?
Yes, but far less of it. If you had pre-travel vaccination, you need just two further doses (on day 0 and day 3) and — crucially — you do not need rabies immunoglobulin. If you were never vaccinated, you need four doses plus immunoglobulin, which can be difficult or impossible to obtain in remote areas.
Why bother with the vaccine before travelling if I'd still need doses after a bite?
Three reasons. It removes the need for rabies immunoglobulin, which is often unavailable abroad and expensive. It cuts your post-bite course from four doses to two. And it removes the frantic search for treatment while you're unwell and far from home.
How many doses of the rabies vaccine do I need before travelling?
Pre-exposure vaccination is typically three doses, given on day 0, day 7 and day 28. An accelerated regimen may be possible if you're travelling at short notice — speak to our doctors.
Which animals carry rabies?
Any mammal can, but dogs cause most human cases worldwide. Bats, monkeys and cats are also important — monkeys around temples and tourist sites are a common source of bites in Asia.
Which countries have rabies risk?
Rabies is present in much of Asia — including India, Indonesia (Bali), the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, China and Nepal — as well as Africa and parts of South America. Our doctors will assess your destination and activities.
How long does the rabies vaccine last?
If you plan to travel again to a rabies-risk area, a booster about a year after your first course is often advised. Those at continuing occupational risk — veterinarians, animal handlers, laboratory staff — may need boosters every six months to two years, sometimes guided by an antibody test.
What are the side effects of the rabies vaccine?
Most people have only mild reactions: soreness at the injection site, a mild fever, headache or muscle aches. Severe allergic reactions are rare. Seek immediate medical attention if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing after vaccination.
Can I have the rabies vaccine if I'm pregnant?
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Pre-travel vaccination can often be deferred. However, post-exposure treatment after a genuine bite is never withheld in pregnancy — rabies is fatal, and the vaccine is not.
Can children have the rabies vaccine?
Yes. Children are at particular risk because they are more likely to approach animals, less likely to report a bite, and more likely to be bitten on the head or hands. Vaccination is worth discussing for family travel to high-risk areas.
Is the rabies vaccine subsidised in Singapore?
No. It is a travel and occupational vaccine and is self-funded — not covered by CHAS, Healthier SG or other national subsidy schemes. Because pre-exposure vaccination is a multi-dose course, ask us for the full course price.
Where can I get rabies immunoglobulin in Singapore?
Rabies immunoglobulin is not routinely stocked at GP clinics. If you have been bitten and require it, go to the nearest hospital Accident & Emergency department without delay. We can vaccinate you and advise, but immunoglobulin is administered in hospital.
Related

Other travel health you may need

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Travelling somewhere with rabies?

Start your course several weeks before you fly. Book a travel consultation and we'll cover rabies, your other vaccines and malaria advice in one visit.

Book your rabies vaccine

Sources

The requirements and recommendations on this page are drawn from official Singapore government sources:

This page is general information, not medical advice, and requirements can change. Always confirm the current position with the relevant Singapore government agency, or speak to our doctors about your own circumstances.