Rabies Vaccine for Travel — Why Canadian Travellers to India & Southeast Asia Need It

Rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms appear — and 100% preventable

Rabies kills approximately 59,000 people annually worldwide. Once symptoms develop, there is no effective treatment and survival is essentially impossible. Yet rabies is one of the most preventable diseases known to medicine — with vaccination, both before and after potential exposure.

For Canadian travellers to India, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa, the pre-exposure rabies vaccine is one of the most important pre-travel investments you can make. Here's why.

The immunoglobulin problem

If you are bitten by a potentially rabid animal without prior vaccination, the post-exposure protocol requires:

1. Immediate wound cleaning (soap and water, 15 minutes minimum)
2. Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) — injected into and around the wound
3. 4–5 doses of rabies vaccine over 14 days

The problem: rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is frequently unavailable or in short supply in rural India, many parts of Southeast Asia, and much of sub-Saharan Africa.

Without RIG, post-exposure protocol cannot be completed as required. Without proper PEP, the outcome is almost universally fatal.

What pre-exposure vaccination changes

If you received pre-exposure vaccination (2 doses before travel):

• Post-exposure protocol: 2 booster doses of vaccine only — no immunoglobulin required
• These 2 doses are widely available at hospitals even in rural areas
• The protocol buys you time to reach medical care

Pre-vaccination transforms a life-threatening shortage problem into a straightforward, solvable one.

Cost of the rabies pre-exposure vaccine in Canada

The rabies pre-exposure vaccine (Imovax or RabAvert) costs approximately $100–$150 per dose in Canada. The full 2-dose series costs $200–$300. Many extended health benefit plans cover travel vaccines including rabies — we provide official receipts for insurance submission.

Who should get the rabies pre-exposure vaccine?

• Travellers to India for any trip longer than 2–3 weeks (highest global rabies burden)
• Travellers to Southeast Asia — Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand rural, Indonesia (bali included — stray dogs are present)
• Adventure travellers: cyclists, motorcyclists, hikers, cave explorers
• All children travelling to endemic regions — they are more likely to approach animals and less likely to report bites
• Anyone with planned animal contact — wildlife, veterinary work, research

What to do if bitten even if vaccinated

Even with pre-exposure vaccination, any bite or scratch from a potentially rabid animal requires immediate action:

1. Wash immediately: soap and water for 15 minutes — this single step reduces transmission risk significantly
2. Seek medical care: get 2 booster doses of rabies vaccine (no immunoglobulin needed if pre-vaccinated)
3. Contact TVTC for guidance on returning home and next steps

Book your pre-travel rabies consultation at Virtual Travel Clinic. We serve Mississauga, Markham, Ottawa, and all of Ontario virtually.

Sources: PHAC Travel Health | WHO Rabies Fact Sheet