Rabies vaccine?

[Lacessit]

90% of the rabies cases in Thailand come from dogs.

 

North-east Thailand plus central and southern Thailand are the areas where rabies is endemic. Less frequent in north-western Thailand.

 

It's why I steer clear of soi dogs.

[how241]

I read recently that not only scratches and bites can give you rabies.  If the dog or animal licks your open mouth, gets saliva into your nose or eyes then it's possible to get infected.  Scary stuff if you like dogs, etc. Especially here with all the soi dogs that might not have ever gotten the shots.

[Sheryl]

Bickering posts removed.

 

note that Rabies  Immune Globulin and Rabies Vaccine are different things.  The vacvine can be givrn pre or post exposure and confers at least a few years of immunity. The immune globulin is short-acting and used (in addition to vaccine)  only after exposure in unvaccinated people. 

 

Vaccine is readily available. The immune globulin can be harder to find.  

[how241]

4 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

the immune globulin can be harder to find.  

 

Is it available in Pattaya at private hospitals ?

[how241]

Anyone know the approximate cost to get the rabies shots if you get scratched or bitten ?maybe 20K ?

[Nick Carter icp]

11 minutes ago, how241 said:

Anyone know the approximate cost to get the rabies shots if you get scratched or bitten ?maybe 20K ?

 

   Figures have ben mentioned on pervious pages 

[lamyai3]

15 minutes ago, how241 said:

Anyone know the approximate cost to get the rabies shots if you get scratched or bitten ?maybe 20K ?

 

Bitten a few years ago, immunoglobulin was <5k baht in one of the government hospitals, and the anti-rabies shots (Verorab) under 300 baht each - had around 6 shots including a tetanus booster.

 

I did check at a private hospital first and the cost there would indeed have been about 20k.

[Sheryl]

12 hours ago, how241 said:

Is it available in Pattaya at private hospitals ?

Should be available at all hospitals, public and private. But no guarantee. (Immune globulin). 

[kwilco]

5 hours ago, Lacessit said:

90% of the rabies cases in Thailand come from dogs.

 

North-east Thailand plus central and southern Thailand are the areas where rabies is endemic. Less frequent in north-western Thailand.

 

It's why I steer clear of soi dogs.

You need to get the facts straight.

 

Rabies in endemic THROUGHOUT Thailand  trying to pick zones will only give you a false sense of security. 

Dogs transmit 99% of rabies in Thailand - possibly the odd cat. 

The similar disease in bats has recently ben found in Thailand but as yet no transmission to humans

 

border areas can have a higher risk as animals come over from countries with higher rates.

Bangkok has had a couple of scares in the last 10 years - culls don't help i fact they can increase the spread but because of large numbers of dogs the disease can sprad more quickly.

 

Muslim areas tend to have less stray dogs so the risk might be lower. 

[Lacessit]

6 hours ago, kwilco said:

You need to get the facts straight.

 

Rabies in endemic THROUGHOUT Thailand  trying to pick zones will only give you a false sense of security. 

Dogs transmit 99% of rabies in Thailand - possibly the odd cat. 

The similar disease in bats has recently ben found in Thailand but as yet no transmission to humans

 

border areas can have a higher risk as animals come over from countries with higher rates.

Bangkok has had a couple of scares in the last 10 years - culls don't help i fact they can increase the spread but because of large numbers of dogs the disease can sprad more quickly.

 

Muslim areas tend to have less stray dogs so the risk might be lower. 

I used the term "less frequent". That's not denying there have been cases in CM and CR.

 

It does have me wondering if I should be vaccinated, although my contact with dogs is limited to one.

[Presnock]

On 6/19/2025 at 8:57 AM, brewsterbudgen said:

Following the distressing death of a British women from rabies, months after being slightly scratched by a puppy in Morocco, has anyone had a preventative rabies shot, and if so, how often does it need to be boosted?  Have there been many cases of rabies in animals in Thailand?

 

Scary stuff.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jun/18/person-dies-of-rabies-in-yorkshire-after-contact-with-dog-in-morocco

There have been some cases over the years in Thailand, especially due to the soi dogs running around.  Last year there was a report of rabies in I think a house pet in the Prawet area of Bangkok and the government issued a warning for that area and also repeated the new law about registering pets in Bangkok - must be done by sometime next year, not sure of the date as I won't be in Bangkok so will not be registering my dog here.  by googling "rabies shots and boosters" you can get several answers on that issue.  My wife and daughter scratched by a cat, and our dog, had to have 5 shots each just to ensure no problems.  I do believe the google sites will advise one what to do for prevention as well as if scratched or bitten and worried about it.

[Hummin]

1 minute ago, Lacessit said:

I used the term "less frequent". That's not denying there have been cases in CM and CR.

 

It does have me wondering if I should be vaccinated, although my contact with dogs is limited to one.

As long your dog is following the rabies vaccination program no need. The chances is slim to have your dog transfer rabies to you.

 

Your Ampur hand out vaccines or you take your dog to an vet and follow their program where they call you when next shot is up for date.

 

A typical rabies vaccination schedule for dogs involves an initial vaccine between 3-4 months of age, followed by a booster shot one year later. After that, the frequency of boosters (every 1-3 years) is determined by local regulations and your veterinarian's recommendations. 

 

 

[iaminwa]

Yep, you can get it at the Global Doctor in Silom Road inside Holiday Inn - they send you to the Red Cross opposite Lumpini Park - you can actually just go there and register and get the shots yourself though.

[VocalNeal]

On 6/19/2025 at 7:54 PM, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Costs between 3000 and 15 000 Baht for the five anti rabies injections 

 

8ollocks

Sorry. at least the top end price. About 450 a jab. I got mine at a clinic on Sukhumvit soi 48. Now a condo probably. So many "clinics" will have them. 

If not, as mentioned, in BKK the Red Cross. Handy by BTS.

[Nick Carter icp]

1 hour ago, VocalNeal said:

 

8ollocks

Sorry. at least the top end price. About 450 a jab. I got mine at a clinic on Sukhumvit soi 48. Now a condo probably. So many "clinics" will have them. 

If not, as mentioned, in BKK the Red Cross. Handy by BTS.

 

   Its not just the jabs you have to pay for though is it .

I did mean the complete price , registering and doctors costs .

450 x 5 = 2250 Baht

Registering with a hospital and doctors fees , hospital fees and administration fees that would bring the cost to the stated 3000 Baht plus and also the gamma globin and tetanus costs added to that can bring the cost to 15000 Baht plus

 

[Sheryl]

4 hours ago, Lacessit said:

 

 

It does have me wondering if I should be vaccinated, although my contact with dogs is limited to one.

 

If it is your own dog, then    just vaccinate the dog.

 

Where pre-expisure vaccination makes sense is if one works with animals (Vet, animal rescue) or must live/walk through areas with stray or wild animals.

 

 

 

 

[how241]

This topic makes me worry slightly as I step over some soi dog sitting by the door at 7-11, enjoying the air cond.  Yes, they tend to be quiet dogs But any animal can snap out of fear at any time.  You can never know what bad past experiences that animal may have had. 

[Lacessit]

15 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

If it is your own dog, then    just vaccinate the dog.

 

Where pre-expisure vaccination makes sense is if one works with animals (Vet, animal rescue) or must live/walk through areas with stray or wild animals.

 

 

 

 

Not my own dog, a neighbor's.

 

I am told all the dogs in the village are vaccinated.

[Magictoad]

As far as I know there no prophylactic vaccine so if you get bitten by a dog you should go to a hospital for a post bite treatment. I was bitten by a street dog on Cozy Beach road on Christmas morning about 8 years ago but decided not to go for treatment. I'm still alive as you can see. Tetanus is the real problem with a dog bites but most of us have tetanus shots already, apart from anti-vax nutters. Tetanus is a horrible way to die.