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      Dear Valued Customers,

       

      Rabies Update 25.03.2024

       

      Switzerland is currently experiencing a shortage of the Rabies vaccine. This shortage led to severe restrictions in how and to whom we could administer the vaccine. We are happy to say that we have an update on the situation. In the week of the 8th of March, a few doses of the rabies vaccine were distributed to the travel clinics in Switzerland. Luckily, we were included in this special delivery. While some restrictions will need to remain (detailed below), we will now be able to restart pre-travel vaccinations.

       

      What this means for you:

       

      • If you are traveling to a risk area (anywhere except the green area on the attached map) then the rabies vaccine might be indicated for you. Our travel health specialists will advise you according to your personal risk. To do this, please book a Travel Consultation appointment.
      • If you previously had a consultation with us and the rabies vaccine was indicated, but you were not able to get the rabies vaccination at that time, please click on «Rabies» when you book your appointment here.
      • If you are a previous patient of ours and need a second dose of the rabies vaccine, please click on «Rabies» when you book your appointment here.
      • If you are a new customer who received their first rabies dose elsewhere, and now need the second dose, a consultation will be required. Please book a Travel Consultationappointment.
      • As before, we will continue to provide professional prophylaxis (veterinary medicine and animal care) and for the emergency treatment of bites/scratches by animals. Please click on «Rabies» when you book your appointment here.

       

      Remaining restrictions:

       

      • Due to the still limited amount of vaccine, we will (with a few exceptions) be using the Intradermal method of vaccination. This means that we will inject the vaccine directly under your skin rather than into your muscle. This method requires less vaccine while offering the same level of protection. More information about this method will be provided during your visit.
      • We will still not be able to provide any “booster” (3rd or 4th doses) vaccinations for travelers.  

       

      If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us here.

       

      We thank you for your patience during this dynamic time and value your continued support of our business.

       

      Rabies

      What is rabies?

      Rabies is a mammalian-borne viral disease. The disease can be transmitted via a bite, scratch, lick or other mucosal contact. Typical vectors of disease are dogs and bats, but transmission by raccoons, foxes and monkeys are also common depending on the region. The disease often begins with headache, followed by various neurological symptoms such as convulsions, respiratory distress, paralysis, and coma. The disease is fatal 100% of the time.

       

      The vaccine is currently not administered into the muscle as usual, but directly under the skin. This method requires less vaccine while offering the same level of protection.

      1_1_8_tollwut

      In which countries does rabies occur?

      Bat-borne rabies is common throughout the world, so a doctor should always be consulted in case of contact with a bat. Rabies transmitted by landb-based mammals is extremely rare in Europe, but widespread in  Africa, Asia and Latin America.

      WHO Karte Rabies-png

      When and how often should I be vaccinated?

      A distinction is made between vaccination before a bite (pre-exposure) and after a bite (post-exposure). Pre-exposure vaccination is only recommended if there is an increased risk of rabies. This is the case for prolonged and/or high-risk behavior when traveling to  areas affected by rabies, when working with animals on a regular basis (e.g., veterinarians), or for bat keepers. In order to have protection while traveling, 2 vaccinations are required with a minimum interval of 7 days. The protection starts working two weeks after the second vaccination and lasts for one year. If one has already received two vaccinations in the past, a single booster vaccination no earlier than 1 year after the second vaccination is sufficient for lifelong protection.

      If there is suspicion of a rabies transmission (e.g. after a bite) further vaccinations are necessary. If one has already been vaccinated before the trip, two further vaccinations with an interval of three days are sufficient. If you have never been vaccinated against rabies, more than two vaccinations  and an additional passive vaccination (immunoglobulins) are necessary.

      Price:
      85 CHF per dose
      plus consultation and injection fee

      Do you want to know how to prevent rabies?

      Wilma shows you how you can best protect yourself.

      What else should I know about the rabies vaccine?

      • The first rabies vaccines were produced using nerve cells over 70 years ago. Although these vaccines led to a reduction in rabies cases worldwide, the vaccination was not without risk. For several years, these vaccines were only used in a few countries in Africa and Latin America. In Switzerland, only newer rabies vaccines are approved, which are not based on nerve cells.

      • Before 2021, the basic immunization was done with 3 vaccinations within one month, however this does not guarantee a lifelong protection. Lifelong protection is only available if there is an interval of one year between the basic immunization and the booster vaccination.

      • More information about rabies can be found on the website of the FOPH or at HealthyTravel.

      Do you have a question or would you like to book an appointment?

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