Living in Ubud as an expat or digital nomad offers an incredible lifestyle, but it also comes with unique health considerations. One of the most important is creating a long-term strategy for rabies prevention. Unlike a short-term tourist, your daily life brings you closer to the community and its animals.
This guide is specifically for you—the long-term resident—to help you stay safe and enjoy peace of mind in your Bali home.
Why Expats in Ubud Face a Different Risk Profile
As a long-term resident, your relationship with the local environment is different from that of a tourist. This often means a slightly elevated and more consistent risk of animal contact due to:
- Increased Daily Exposure: You’re more likely to have regular interactions with neighbourhood dogs, community cats, and other wildlife in and around your villa.
- Lifestyle Activities: The expat lifestyle often involves activities like hiking, trail running, adopting pets, or living in properties with open gardens, all of which increase the chances of an animal encounter.
- Long-Term Peace of Mind: For a short trip, a tourist might be hyper-vigilant. For long-term living, you need a sustainable prevention strategy that provides lasting peace of mind.
The Cornerstone of Prevention: Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
For expats, the single most effective tool for managing rabies risk is Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).
PrEP is a series of vaccine shots given before an animal bite occurs, acting as a powerful preventative measure. It doesn’t provide 100% immunity, but it makes any future emergency treatment significantly simpler and more effective. You can learn about the key differences in our guide to PrEP vs. PEP in Ubud.
The key benefits for expats are:
- It Simplifies Emergencies: If you are bitten after having PrEP, you will not need the complex and expensive Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) injection and will require fewer post-bite vaccine doses.
- It Reduces Panic: Knowing you are pre-vaccinated significantly reduces the anxiety and uncertainty that follows an unexpected scratch or nip.
Beyond PrEP: Daily Habits for a Rabies-Safe Lifestyle
Prevention goes beyond vaccination. Integrating these habits into your daily life in Ubud is key:
- Vaccinate Your Pets: Your first line of defense is ensuring your own dogs and cats are always up-to-date with their rabies shots from a local veterinarian.
- Practice Safe Community Animal Interaction: Learn to coexist safely with local animals. Avoid feeding them directly from your hand and teach your children to keep a safe distance.
- Secure Your Villa: Ensure your home and garden are reasonably secure to prevent stray animals from wandering in unexpectedly.
What to Do if You Are Bitten (Even After PrEP)
Having PrEP is a safety net, not a suit of armor. If you are bitten or scratched, you must still take immediate action:
- Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for 15 minutes.
- Seek a medical consultation at a trusted clinic like Unicare.
- Receive your booster shots. You will typically only need two booster doses of the rabies vaccine to complete your treatment.
Choosing Your Long-Term Health Partner in Ubud
As an expat, you need more than just an emergency room; you need a reliable clinic for ongoing healthcare and advice. You need a medical center in Ubud that offers international standards, English-speaking doctors, and a clear understanding of expat health needs—all standards we uphold at Unicare Clinic. We base our preventative health advice on recommendations from global bodies like the World Health Organization for international travelers and long-term residents.
A Smart Investment for Your Life in Bali
Integrating into life in Ubud means being prepared. A proactive rabies prevention strategy, centered on PrEP and a partnership with a trusted clinic, is one of the smartest health investments you can make. It allows you to embrace the Bali lifestyle with confidence and peace of mind.
SCHEDULE YOUR PrEP CONSULTATION
Take the first step towards long-term peace of mind in Bali. Speak with our doctors today to discuss if Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis is right for you and your family.
Visit Our Clinic Page to Book or Call Us: +62 822-9829-8911
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – The Expat’s Guide to Rabies
Is the PrEP vaccine recommended for my children living long-term in Ubud?
Yes, PrEP is highly recommended for children living in Bali. They are often more likely to interact with animals and may not always report a minor scratch or nip, making proactive protection a very wise safety measure.
As an expat, is PrEP a good long-term investment versus just waiting for an emergency (PEP)?
Financially, it can be. The cost of a planned PrEP series is often less than a full emergency PEP treatment that requires Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG), which is very expensive. For peace of mind, many long-term residents find it to be an invaluable investment.
I have pets in my villa. Where can I get them vaccinated for rabies?
While Unicare Clinic specializes in human health, there are several excellent veterinary clinics (klinik hewan) in the Ubud area that provide rabies vaccinations for pets. We strongly advise ensuring your pets’ shots are always up to date.
My vaccinated pet fought with a stray animal. What should my next step be?
You should take your pet to a veterinarian for a booster vaccine and wound check-up immediately. For yourself, even if you weren’t bitten, it’s wise to ensure your own PrEP is up to date or consult a doctor if you had direct contact with the stray animal’s saliva.
How long does PrEP last, and will I need regular boosters while living in Bali?
The modern 2-dose PrEP schedule offers long-lasting protection for many years. For most expats, regular boosters are not required unless your risk profile is exceptionally high (e.g., working as a veterinarian). This can be discussed during a consultation.
I live in a “secure” villa complex. Is my risk high enough to justify PrEP?
While a secure complex reduces risk, it doesn’t eliminate it. Stray animals can still enter gardens, and exposure can happen during walks, at cafes, or while hiking. PrEP is about managing risk for your entire lifestyle, not just at home.
Besides PrEP, what is the most important prevention habit for an expat?
Beyond PrEP, the best habit is responsible interaction. This means vaccinating your own pets and avoiding direct contact with animals whose health and vaccination status you don’t know.
Does my Indonesian health insurance (KITAS insurance) typically cover preventative PrEP?
It varies greatly by policy. Many local or KITAS-linked insurance plans focus on emergency/inpatient care and may not cover preventative treatments like PrEP. It is essential to check the specific terms of your policy.
Can I schedule a single ‘family consultation’ to discuss PrEP for everyone?
Yes, absolutely. We encourage this. You can book a family consultation with one of our doctors to discuss the benefits of PrEP for both adults and children and answer all your questions at once.
If I get PrEP here, are those records valid if I move to another country later?
Yes. We provide you with an international vaccination record that is valid worldwide. This documentation of your PrEP series will be recognized by doctors in your next country of residence.
