Foreign Office 135 countries 'high risk' list as vaccination supplies for lethal virus low in UK

Foreign Office 135 countries 'high risk' list as vaccination supplies for lethal virus low in UKHealth professionals told they may need to prioritise who gets rabies vaccineCommentsTravelBen Hurst11:13, 13 Apr 2026View ImageThe Travel health Pro site has sent an alert to health professionals over low levels of rabies vaccinations(Image: Getty)UK health officials have warned of a shortage of a vaccine for Brits going to many overseas destination for a potentially lethal disease. The Foreign Office-backed Travel Health Pro website said that the virus is ‘nearly always fatal’ in humans meaning vaccination before going to hotspots is vital.‌It said that two types of rabies vaccine are currently in short supply - Bavarian Nordic: Rabipur and Sanofi: Verorab. And it warned of the dangers of the disease and how it’s caught: “Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral infection spread mostly by contact with the saliva of an infected wild or domestic animal. Transmission occurs mostly through bites, scratches or saliva coming in to contact with broken skin or mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, nose).‌“Bats can carry rabies, including in the United Kingdom (UK). In humans, rabies is almost always fatal, once symptoms appear It is preventable by avoiding contact with animals and seeking prompt medical attention after any possible contact.”‌Travel Health Pro issued advice to doctors that in some cases they would need to prioritise who gets the jab:Prioritise vaccination for people at highest risk, including:travellers to endemic areas for long staysyoung childrenindividuals planning to have animal contact such as vets or animal handlers‌Travel Health Pro said: "Rabies is a virus carried in animal saliva that usually spreads to humans from a bite, scratch, lick to an open wound from an infected animal (typically a dog). It can also be a risk if an animal spits and saliva gets into the eyes, mouth or nose. The virus attacks the central nervous system, causing progressive da...