Rabies vaccination
 

Hi there,

I am currently in the "vaccination process". I found a travel clinic on the web which replied to me as follows:

The Rabies vaccine can be administered intradermally for £17.50 per dose or Intra-muscularly for £45 per dose.

What is the difference between the 2 methods?

Cheers,

Frank

Rabies vaccine
 

Hi

Intradermally means into the skin using a short needle - whereas intramusculary is with a slightly longer needle into a muscle.

I wasn't aware they gave this vaccine intradermally - its normally into a muscle over 3 doses

Don't forget it doesn't protect you against rabies if you are bitten but buys you an extra 48 hrs to reach medical treatment.

The one I got was a series of 3 shots into the muscle[ upper arm], Im sure it was only around 70 quid and came from my local GP via the nurse think it was called rabipur. Think this was one of the ones you shouldnt mix with other shots so be careful when planning your shots its best to get them all done at same place although I know Gps dont over some so you may need to do a bit of planning.

But why is there such a big price difference between the 2 injection methods?

Edit:

I just found the answer:
eMJA: Intradermal rabies vaccine

Cheers,

Frank

So looks like following the intradermal injection you got to pay out for private blood test - that won't be cheap.

Our vaccines were about £30 per shot intramuscular

How does it work in general with a blood test?

Do I always have to pay for it and how much does it cost roughly?

It is because of the Hepatitis B vaccination. My GP said I only need 2 injections as I had a vaccination before and anti bodies should be still there.
I had this vaccination 20 years ago...

How can I be certain? Probably only with a blood test.

HeP B one does not always take, hence the bloodtest I have had it 3 times in the last 5 years now 2 fast track and 1 over the longer period[ 3 injections each time] and I still dont have the antibodies luckily it was paid for due to my work, I have also had a shot after a needlestick injury for hep as well at the local emergency ward.

Hep is one thing to take very serious not just overseas. I buried a close friend a few months ago who died from liver complications 6 years after catching hep from giving first aid outside a scottish nightclub. He didnt have any visable open wounds and got very little blood on him[ he didnt think he got any on him]. He was also young and pretty fit so it was not expected at all.

A set of sterile gloves is no bigger than a condom and fits in your wallet or purse and other than stopping getting oil on your hands they can save your life. You can also get belt pack first responder kits which contain mouth to mouth shield/gloves/apron and a hazard bag they ar very small[2 inches by 3 by 4 at most] and well worth carrying. Mouth to mouth is no longer as essential in the new first aid training and is optional so pretty much the gloves are the only essential bit you need for first aid.

As far as blood tests go, the NHS wil not do Rabies antibodies levels. This leaves you the private sector- I would imagine for a private blood test your looking in excess of £40 - your best bets to phone up your local private hospital for prices or ask at the travel clinic thats going to give you your jabs

rabies is one of the injections your local GP can give so they can do the bloodtests to check for it as they are required to do so for key workers[ dog catchers, immigration[animal folk] ect. They may however charge you for it.