Whats happening with the Rabies vaccines?

[gaz0303]

Hi all,

I need the rabies vaccine as I'm about to take a trip to rural Cambodia and working with animals (1st of many trips with this risk). Rabies vaccine supply is not available to doctors/chemists outside some travel clinics. As the vaccine requires 3 dosages, that means 3 trips to a travel clinic (in my case 6 flights). No travel clinic wants to make available any treatment to my local GP/hospital, even with the suggestion of paying a fee for this service and showing up for the 1st treatment. So, any suggestions on how to get hold of the vaccine?

Has anyone heard when supply will return?


Cheers

 

[Cynicor]

Hi all,

I need the rabies vaccine as I'm about to take a trip to rural Cambodia and working with animals (1st of many trips with this risk). Rabies vaccine supply is not available to doctors/chemists outside some travel clinics. As the vaccine requires 3 dosages, that means 3 trips to a travel clinic (in my case 6 flights). No travel clinic wants to make available any treatment to my local GP/hospital, even with the suggestion of paying a fee for this service and showing up for the 1st treatment. So, any suggestions on how to get hold of the vaccine?

Has anyone heard when supply will return?


Cheers

Have you double checked with your local pharmac_ or hospital pharmac_? I don't believe there are any issue with rabies vaccine supply generally, and your normal pharmacist should be able to get it in on a normal day. But- Sigma are currently out of stock and so is another smaller supplier so maybe there are availability issues.

The actual docs are sometimes better at doing the negotiating with you than a receptionist or practice manager so maybe you need a first trip there and to discuss it in person, then offer to pay for everything up front etc?

Would still be 2 flights but better than 6. If all else fails and you want to come all the way to Perth, I'm sure we can hook you up...

 

[k_sheep]

Most of the bigger hospitals will have an immunisation clinic - I'd be very surprised if they didn't have access. The Royal Brisbane hospital clinics definitely do, though I don't think the Rabipur brand is back in good supply yet. I've taken vaccines up to regional clinics before from the major tertiary centres (isn't that one fun to explain to the security guys!) ... not sure if there's something regular set up for non-QLD states though

 

[gaz0303]

Its allright, I'm at ease...my pharmac_ has been able to get the other brand (Mérieux I think) just in time to fit all three vaccinations in. Living in a regional area I expect some differences in treatment but limited access to a vaccine surprised me. Now if only there was something for land mines.