POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Purevax Rabies

Active ingredient: Rabies virus

Form

Injection

Species

Cats

Manufacturer

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH

VMD MA No.

04491/5051

What it's used for

Active immunisation of cats 12 weeks of age and older to prevent mortality due to rabies infection. Onset of immunity: 4 weeks after the primary vaccinatio...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

The prescription itself has a price. See what practices near you charge for a consultation and the written prescription fee.

Paying less for Rabies virus

1

Ask your vet for a written prescription

They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.
2

Fill it at a registered online retailer

The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

Your prescription rights → VMD register of retailers →

Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

Purevax Rabies — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 26 Mar 2026.

Active immunisation of cats 12 weeks of age and older to prevent mortality due to rabies
infection.
Onset of immunity: 4 weeks after the primary vaccination course.
Duration of immunity after primary vaccination: 1 year.
Duration of immunity after revaccination: 3 years.

None.

Cats:
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated,
including isolated reports):
Apathy
1-2
, mild anorexia
, hyperthermia
2-3
Injection site reactions (pain, swelling,
warmth and erythema)
Hypersensitivity reaction
1
Slight
Usually lasting 1 or 2 days. Most of these reactions were noted during the 2 days
following the vaccine injection.
Above 39.5°C
Pain at palpation; limited swelling that may become nodular; usually disappearing
within 1 or 2 weeks at most.
Which may require appropriate symptomatic treatment
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a
veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to
either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national
competent authority via the national reporting system. See also section “Contact details”
of the package leaflet.

Vaccinate healthy animals only.

Revised: October 2023
AN: 02322/2022Page 2 of 5

Special precautions for use in animals
Not applicable.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals
Canarypox recombinants are known to be safe for humans. Mild local and/or systemic
adverse reactions related to the injection itself may be observed transitorily.
In case of accidental self-injection, seek medical advice immediately and show the
package leaflet or the label to the physician.

Efficacy data are available which demonstrate that this vaccine can be administered at
least 14 days before or after the administration of Boehringer Ingelheim non-adjuvanted
vaccine against feline leukaemia.
Safety and efficacy data are available which demonstrate that this vaccine can be mixed
and administered with Boehringer Ingelheim non-adjuvanted vaccines containing
various combinations of feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirosis, panleukopenia and
chlamydiosis components.

Revised: October 2023
AN: 02322/2022Page 3 of 5

Store and transport refrigerated (2 °C – 8 °C).
Do not freeze.
Protect from light.

Not applicable.
5. IMMUNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Immunologicals for cats, live viral vaccine, rabies,
recombinant live canarypox virus.
ATCvet Code: QI06AD08
The vaccine strain vCP65 is a recombinant Canarypox virus expressing the glycoprotein
G gene of rabies virus. After inoculation, the virus expresses the protective protein, but
does not replicate in the cat. As a consequence, the vaccine stimulates active immunity
against rabies virus in cats.

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.