Rabbit Vaccinations: RHD, Myxomatosis and What They Cost

Wondering what your rabbit’s vaccinations actually cost, and whether they’re worth it

If you’ve recently brought a rabbit home, or you’re working out the first year’s costs before you do, the vaccination question tends to come up early. Rabbit vaccinations cost somewhere between roughly £50 and £125 across the UK, depending on where you are and what’s included, and that range genuinely surprises some owners who assume rabbits cost less to protect than a dog or cat. Here at Rock House Vets, we’d rather explain honestly what goes into that figure than leave you guessing, so that’s what this guide sets out to do.

What the vaccination actually protects against

Rabbits in the UK need protection against three serious diseases: myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease in both its strains, RHD1 and RHD2. All three are usually covered by combined injections, most commonly Myxo-RHD Plus, which folds myxomatosis and RHD1 protection into one injection alongside a separate RHD2 component given at the same appointment. None of these diseases has a reliable cure, and all three are frequently fatal, which is really the context the rabbit vaccination cost sits inside. If you’d like the full clinical detail on transmission and symptoms, our rabbit vaccinations page covers that in depth.

Why the price varies so much between practices

A few things push the figure up or down. The vaccine itself is only part of what you’re paying for. Every appointment includes a full health check first, because a rabbit needs to be well before they’re vaccinated, and that check is where we pick up on early dental problems, weight changes or anything else worth flagging before it becomes serious. Location plays a part too, as does whether you’re booking a first course, which usually involves two visits a few weeks apart for a young rabbit, or a straightforward annual booster once your rabbit is already covered.

It’s also worth knowing that pet insurance does not typically cover the cost of vaccinations themselves, though most insurers require your rabbit to be vaccinated as a condition of the policy, and some diseases that could have been prevented by vaccination will not be covered if your rabbit isn’t up to date. That’s a detail that catches a fair few owners out.

The cost of not vaccinating

It’s worth weighing the vaccination cost against what happens if you skip it. Myxomatosis and RHD are both usually fatal, and there is no specific treatment for either once a rabbit is infected beyond supportive care, which can itself run into far more than the cost of a yearly booster, without any guarantee of a good outcome. We say this not to alarm you, but because the maths genuinely does favour vaccinating, even before you factor in the peace of mind. If your rabbit lives indoors, it’s also worth knowing that this doesn’t remove the risk. RHD2 in particular can be carried in on hay, bedding, or by biting insects, so exposure is possible even for a rabbit who never goes outside.

Spreading the cost

If the upfront figure feels like a lot to find in one go, our monthly Pet Health Care Plan spreads routine care, including annual boosters, flea and worming treatment and a discounted health check, across the year in smaller instalments rather than one annual bill. A good number of our rabbit owners find this makes budgeting for routine care far more manageable, and it works the same way whether you have one rabbit or a bonded pair.

When should a rabbit start, and does that change the cost

Rabbits can be vaccinated from around five weeks old, and the RHD2 component specifically needs a slightly later appointment, from ten weeks, since it’s a separate vaccine that can’t be given at exactly the same time as the initial injection. This means a young rabbit’s first course usually involves two vaccination visits rather than one, which is worth budgeting for if you’ve just taken on a baby rabbit. After that, protection is maintained with a single combined annual booster, so costs generally settle into a predictable yearly pattern once the first year is behind you.

Rabbit vaccination cost questions we’re asked often

How much are rabbit vaccinations for a first course?

Expect the first course to involve two appointments: the initial combined injection from around five weeks and the RHD2 component from ten weeks, each including a health check. Together these typically fall within the same £50 to £125 range as an annual booster, though we’d always rather confirm the exact figure with a quick call than guess at a number that might not match your rabbit’s situation.

How often do rabbits need vaccinating, and does the cost change each year?

Once your rabbit has completed their first course, they need a single combined annual booster to stay protected, and the cost is generally consistent year to year for the same reason: one appointment, one combined vaccine, one health check.

Do indoor rabbits still need to pay for vaccinations?

Yes, and this is one area where it’s genuinely not worth cutting corners. House rabbits face the same RHD2 exposure risk as outdoor rabbits, since the virus can travel in on hay, bedding or clothing, so the vaccination cost applies regardless of whether your rabbit ever sets foot in the garden.

Does pet insurance cover the cost of rabbit vaccinations?

Generally not. Vaccinations are considered routine preventative care rather than treatment, so most policies exclude them, though many insurers will ask to see proof of vaccination before covering anything related to a disease the vaccine would have prevented.

Book your rabbit’s vaccination at Rock House Vets

If you’d like an honest, no-surprises figure for your rabbit’s vaccination cost, or you’re simply not sure when your rabbit’s booster is due, we’re happy to talk it through. Every appointment includes a full health check alongside the vaccine itself, so you’re never just paying for an injection. Take a look at our rabbit vaccinations in Wolverhampton page for the full clinical details, or our pet vaccinations page if you’re weighing up costs across dogs, cats and rabbits together. And if you’re bringing home a new rabbit, it’s also worth reading our guide to what your pet actually needs from their vaccinations, which covers dogs and cats alongside rabbits.

Call for a compassionate conversation on 01902 271 757, or contact us here, and we’ll talk you through exactly what to expect and what it will cost.