In brief
The short answer
Rabies is present in both Bali and Thailand, mainly in dogs, and is almost always fatal once symptoms start. The pre-travel vaccine means that if you are bitten you need two booster doses and no rabies immunoglobulin, which is in short supply worldwide. UK guidance suggests considering it for longer trips, backpacking, cycling or running, and anywhere medical care is hard to reach. At our clinic it costs £74 / £222 course.
- Rabies is present in dogs in Bali and Thailand, and monkeys can bite too
- Vaccinated travellers need 2 booster doses after a bite and no immunoglobulin
- Unvaccinated travellers need immunoglobulin, which is scarce in many countries
- The standard course is 3 doses over 3 to 4 weeks, so book early
How common is rabies in Bali and Thailand?
TravelHealthPro describes rabies as a risk in both Indonesia, which includes Bali, and Thailand, with cases reported in domestic animals. The UK Foreign Office notes that Bali has many street dogs and monkeys around temples and tourist areas.
In Thailand, TravelHealthPro reported a rise in human rabies deaths in 2025 and a rabies alert covering parts of Bangkok in September 2025. Local reports from Bali in 2026 also describe large numbers of animal bites.
Most visitors are never bitten. The question is what happens if you are.
What the vaccine changes if you are bitten
Anyone bitten, scratched or licked on broken skin by an animal in a rabies country needs urgent treatment, whether or not they have had the vaccine. The difference is in what that treatment involves.
| Vaccinated before travel | Not vaccinated | |
|---|---|---|
| Vaccine doses after a bite | 2 doses, a few days apart | 4 doses over 3 weeks |
| Rabies immunoglobulin | Not needed | Often needed, and hard to find in many countries |
| Urgency | Still urgent, but more time to reach care | Needs treatment as soon as possible |
Why immunoglobulin matters
Rabies immunoglobulin gives immediate antibodies while the vaccine starts to work. It is in short supply worldwide: TravelHealthPro notes that most countries have limited or no access to it.
Having the vaccine before you go removes the need for immunoglobulin altogether. For many people that is the main reason to have it.
Who should consider it
UK guidance suggests the pre-travel rabies vaccine is considered for travellers who:
- Are staying a month or longer
- Are backpacking, cycling, running or trekking
- Will be in rural areas, far from good medical care
- Will work with or be close to animals, including volunteering
- Are travelling with children, who are more likely to be bitten and less likely to tell you
The schedule and cost
The standard UK course is three injections on days 0, 7 and 21 to 28. If time is short, an accelerated schedule over 7 days is possible for some adults. The vaccine is not free on the NHS for travel. At our clinic it is £74 / £222 course.
Once you have completed a course, routine boosters are not needed for most travellers. If you travel to a high-risk area again more than a year later, the pharmacist may suggest a single booster.
If you are bitten or scratched abroad
Wash the wound straight away under running water with soap for several minutes, then apply an antiseptic if you have one. Get medical help the same day, even for a small scratch and even if you have been vaccinated. Keep a record of your vaccine doses with your passport so the doctor abroad knows what you have had.
Do not feed or touch dogs, cats or monkeys, however tame they look, and keep food out of sight around temple monkeys.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
It is not essential for every short trip, but many travellers choose it for Bali because of the street dogs and temple monkeys and because immunoglobulin can be hard to get. The pharmacist will talk through your plans with you.
Yes. You still need two booster doses as soon as possible. The difference is that you will not need rabies immunoglobulin.
Ideally four weeks before you travel, to fit in the standard three-dose course. An accelerated course can sometimes be given over 7 days.
Yes, the vaccine is licensed for all ages and children receive the same dose as adults. Children are at higher risk because they are more likely to approach animals and to be bitten on the face.
Final vaccine and medicine recommendations always depend on your medical history, previous vaccinations, current travel health guidance, trip duration and planned activities. This page is general information, not a personal clinical recommendation — book a consultation so our pharmacist can assess your individual trip.