Rabies Vaccine in Harrow
Pre-exposure rabies protection for travellers heading to Asia, Africa and Latin America, from our pharmacist-led clinic on Harrow on the Hill High Street.
You can get the rabies vaccine at Harrow Clinics, 106 High Street, Harrow on the Hill, HA1 3LP, with no GP referral needed. The standard pre-exposure course is three doses on days 0, 7 and 21 to 28, and adults travelling at short notice can often use an accelerated day 0, 3 and 7 schedule.
- Rabies is passed to people through bites, scratches or licks on broken skin from infected mammals, most often dogs.
- The standard pre-exposure course is three doses given on day 0, day 7 and day 21 to 28.
- An accelerated course on days 0, 3 and 7 is available for adults travelling at short notice.
- Pre-exposure vaccination removes the need for rabies immunoglobulin and reduces post-bite treatment to two further doses.
- A booster around one year is advised where risk continues, with later doses guided by risk assessment.
At a glance
| Service | Rabies pre-exposure vaccination course |
|---|---|
| Serving | Harrow, North Harrow, Pinner, Rayners Lane, Wembley and the wider HA postcodes |
| Clinic address | 106 High Street, Harrow on the Hill, HA1 3LP |
| Nearest station | Harrow-on-the-Hill, Metropolitan line and Chiltern Railways |
| Standard course | Three doses on day 0, day 7 and day 21 to 28 |
| Accelerated course | Three doses on day 0, day 3 and day 7, for adults at short notice |
| Booster | Around one year if risk continues, then guided by risk assessment or antibody testing |
| GP referral | Not required, book directly |
| Regulator | GPhC premises 1114125, pharmacist Avni Kanabar GPhC 2225518 |
Who needs the rabies vaccine
Rabies is present in dogs, bats and other mammals across much of Asia, Africa and Latin America. The pre-exposure vaccine is worth considering if you are travelling to these regions, especially for longer or rural trips where treatment after a bite may be hours away.
- Backpackers and long-stay travellers
- Cyclists, runners and trekkers
- Anyone working with or around animals, including vets and volunteers
- Children, who are more likely to approach animals and less likely to report a bite
The course and schedule
The pre-exposure course is three doses given over about three to four weeks, on days 0, 7 and 21 to 28. If you are travelling sooner, ask us about an accelerated schedule, which we can often arrange for last-minute trips.
Being vaccinated before you travel reduces the treatment you need after a possible exposure and buys you time. It does not remove the need for care, so you should still wash any wound and seek medical advice after any bite or scratch.
What is included
Your appointment covers a travel risk assessment based on your itinerary, the rabies vaccine itself, a record of the doses given, and clear aftercare advice on what to do if you are bitten abroad.
Same-day and last-minute appointments are usually available, so we can start your course quickly when departure is close.
For pricing, see our booking page for current rates.
Getting your rabies vaccine in Harrow
Harrow Clinics is at 106 High Street, Harrow on the Hill, HA1 3LP, serving Harrow and the wider HA catchment. We are a short walk from Harrow-on-the-Hill station, with parking nearby.
Book your rabies appointment online, or call 020 8869 1200 to plan your doses around your travel dates.
- NHS guidance on rabies — How rabies spreads and what to do after an animal bite abroad.
- TravelHealthPro country travel health advice — Check the rabies risk for the countries on your itinerary.
- Fitfortravel destination vaccine recommendations — NHS destination guidance used alongside your consultation.
- Green Book immunisation against infectious disease — UK guidance on rabies pre-exposure and accelerated schedules.
- GPhC register entry for Avni Kanabar — Verify the pharmacist responsible for the clinic.
What your rabies appointment at Harrow Clinics includes.
Travel risk assessment
A review of your itinerary and activities to confirm whether pre-exposure rabies vaccination is right for your trip.
Rabies vaccine on-site
The pre-exposure course given here on Harrow High Street, with no GP referral needed.
Accelerated option
An accelerated schedule we can often arrange for travellers leaving at short notice.
Post-bite aftercare advice
Clear guidance on washing a wound and seeking care quickly if you are bitten or scratched abroad.
Families welcome
Suitable for children travelling to higher-risk areas, with the schedule planned around your departure.
Rabies pre-exposure schedule options: standard course and accelerated course
| Standard course | Accelerated course | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of doses | Three | Three |
| Schedule | Day 0, day 7 and day 21 to 28 | Day 0, day 3 and day 7 |
| Minimum time before departure | About three to four weeks from the first dose | About one week from the first dose |
| Who it suits | Anyone able to plan ahead, including children | Adults travelling at short notice |
| Booster | Around one year if risk continues, then guided by risk assessment | Around one year if risk continues, then guided by risk assessment |
| If bitten afterwards | Two further doses, no immunoglobulin needed | Two further doses, no immunoglobulin needed |
Three steps from booking to travel-ready.
Pre-screen, vaccinate, certificate. Usually 30 minutes total.
- 01
Book online or call
Pick a slot. Tell us where you are going, when, and for how long. We send a short pre-appointment form so we are ready when you arrive.
- 02
Come to Harrow High Street
106 High Street, Harrow on the Hill, a short walk from Harrow-on-the-Hill station. Our pharmacist runs through your itinerary and confirms which vaccines and tablets you need.
- 03
Vaccinated and certified
Get your jabs the same visit, with malaria tablets if needed, plus any certificates required for your destination. Most appointments take 20 to 30 minutes.
Questions people ask about Harrow
How many rabies injections do I need before travelling?
Three. The standard pre-exposure course is given on day 0, day 7 and then day 21 to 28, so allow three to four weeks from your first appointment. Adults travelling sooner can often use the accelerated day 0, 3 and 7 schedule, which finishes inside a week.
Can I start the rabies course if I fly in two weeks?
Usually yes. Adults can normally use the accelerated schedule on days 0, 3 and 7, completing all three doses within a week. If your dates are tighter still, we vaccinate as far as the time allows and explain exactly what to do if you are bitten or scratched abroad.
How is rabies actually caught?
Through the saliva of an infected mammal, usually a bite or scratch, or a lick on broken skin or the eyes, nose or mouth. Dogs cause most human cases worldwide, and bats and monkeys also carry it. It is not spread by food, water or ordinary contact.
Do I still need treatment if I am bitten after being vaccinated?
Yes, and urgently. Pre-exposure vaccination does not remove the need for care, it simplifies it. You avoid rabies immunoglobulin, which is scarce in many countries, and need only two further doses. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical help straight away.
How long does rabies vaccination last?
A completed pre-exposure course primes the immune system for years. Where risk continues, a booster is usually advised about one year after the primary course. Doses after that are guided by ongoing risk assessment or antibody testing rather than a fixed calendar interval.
Which trips make the rabies vaccine worth having?
Longer stays, rural travel, cycling, running and backpacking, work with animals, and any trip where medical care is hours away. It matters most across parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America. We weigh destination, duration and planned activities together at the consultation.
Can children have the rabies vaccine?
Yes, there is no lower age limit for the pre-exposure course, and children are often prioritised because they are more likely to approach animals and less likely to report a lick or small scratch. The accelerated schedule is intended for adults, so children usually follow the standard course.
Can I get the rabies vaccine in Harrow without seeing my GP?
Yes. Book straight in with our pharmacist at 106 High Street in Harrow on the Hill, a short walk up from Harrow-on-the-Hill station on the Metropolitan line. Doses can be given alongside other travel vaccines, and the remaining appointments are scheduled around your departure date.
Avni Kanabar is a GPhC-registered pharmacist at Harrow Clinics, a registered Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre (YFVC No. 5291) on Harrow on the Hill High Street, providing pharmacist-led travel health for the HA community.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about the rabies vaccine.
The pre-exposure course is three doses over about three to four weeks, on days 0, 7 and 21 to 28. If you are short on time, ask us about an accelerated schedule.
Often yes. For last-minute travel we can usually arrange an accelerated schedule so you start and progress your course more quickly. Book early where you can.
A completed pre-exposure course gives lasting priming. Boosters may be advised for ongoing or repeated risk. Our pharmacist will advise based on your travel history.
Yes. Pre-exposure vaccination reduces the treatment you need and buys time, but you should still wash the wound and seek medical care after any bite or scratch.
Most people have only a sore arm, and sometimes a mild headache or tiredness for a day or two. Serious reactions are uncommon. We talk you through what to expect.
Yes. Children can be vaccinated and are often a priority for higher-risk trips, as they are more likely to approach animals. We plan the schedule around your travel dates.
At Harrow Clinics, 106 High Street, Harrow on the Hill, HA1 3LP, a short walk from Harrow-on-the-Hill station with parking nearby. Book online or call 020 8869 1200.
Also serving nearby
Book travel vaccinations in Harrow
Heading somewhere rabies is a risk? Book your rabies appointment at Harrow Clinics online, or call 020 8869 1200 and we will plan your doses around your trip.