DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
Myxomatosis and RVHD vaccine cost for rabbits in the UK
Myxomatosis and rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease (RVHD) are the two illnesses every pet rabbit's jab protects against, and knowing what that specific vaccine costs helps you budget before you book. Most owners now use a single combined jab given once a year, and the cost swings more than people expect between practices. The real prices on this page show what different clinics are charging right now, and what actually moves the bill up or down.
The quick version
- One combined annual jab covers myxomatosis and both strains of RVHD in most modern vaccines, though some older protocols still split it into two visits.
- There is no cure for either disease once a rabbit is infected, so vaccination is the only realistic protection, not a nice-to-have extra.
- The CMA found that corporate-owned practices charged 18.3% more on average than independents, and vet prices overall rose 63% between 2016 and 2023.
- Booking the jab as part of an annual health check often works out cheaper than paying for two separate visits.
- Missing the booster date can mean starting the whole course again rather than a simple top-up, which costs more.
- Asking for the combined single-jab price by name, rather than just 'the rabbit vaccine', gets you a more accurate quote on the phone.
Published and surveyed prices
Where these 7 prices come from — 6 named sources
Each is a published price list, an official survey, or a receipt/quote a reader shared. The full per-price list with year and area is on the rabbit vaccination page.
Why the price varies so much
The single biggest factor is which vaccine your vet stocks. Some clinics use a combined product that covers myxomatosis and both RVHD strains in one shot, while others still give two jabs a few weeks apart, which effectively doubles the appointment cost. Ownership matters too. The Competition and Markets Authority found that large corporate groups charged 18.3% more on average than independent vets for comparable work, and rabbit vaccines sit squarely inside that pattern, since corporate consolidation across UK vet practices has been rapid and prices have risen 63% between 2016 and 2023 as a result. Location plays a part as well: city-centre practices generally carry higher overheads than rural ones, and that gets passed on. Whether a full health check is bundled into the vaccination visit, and whether you are a new or existing client, both nudge the final figure up or down. Even within one practice, the price can depend on which vet you see and whether the booking was made as a routine slot or squeezed in urgently.
How to pay less
- Ring three practices, including at least one independent, and ask specifically for the combined single-jab price rather than a general vaccination quote.
- Ask whether the annual health check is bundled into the vaccination fee or charged on top, since some practices fold it in for free.
- Look into a practice health plan if you keep more than one rabbit, since these often spread the cost monthly and bundle other routine care.
- Book the yearly booster on time. Letting it lapse can mean a restart course, and that costs more than staying on schedule ever would.
- Check whether the practice is corporate-owned or independent before you book. Given the CMA's findings on pricing, independents are worth calling first for a straightforward jab.
- Ask new-client practices whether they run a registration or first-visit offer that covers the vaccination, since some use this to win rabbit owners over from a rival clinic.
Common questions
How often do rabbits need vaccinating?
Most combined myxomatosis and RVHD vaccines give a full year of cover, so a yearly booster is standard. Your vet will confirm the exact schedule for the product they use, since a few still require a separate RVHD2 top-up partway through the year. Missing the date can mean restarting the course rather than a simple booster, so it is worth putting a reminder in the calendar.
Does pet insurance cover rabbit vaccinations?
No. Like most routine and preventive care, vaccinations are excluded from pet insurance, which is built to cover unexpected illness and injury rather than scheduled treatment. Some practice health plans spread the cost of vaccination across monthly payments instead, which is worth asking about if the upfront fee is a stretch.
Is rabbit vaccination worth the cost?
Myxomatosis and RVHD are almost always fatal and cannot be treated once a rabbit catches them. The annual jab is far cheaper than the emergency care an infected rabbit would need, and for most owners it is the only reliable way to keep a rabbit safe outdoors or in a garden run.
Why do prices vary so much between vets for the same jab?
Two rabbit owners can pay very different amounts for what looks like the same vaccine, mainly because of which product the practice stocks, whether it is a corporate or independent clinic, and whether a health check is included. Ringing round and asking for the combined single-jab price specifically is the fastest way to see the real spread near you.
Is it cheaper to vaccinate two rabbits at once?
Some practices offer a small discount or a shared consultation fee for a second rabbit vaccinated in the same appointment, though this is not universal, so it is worth asking directly when you book. A health plan covering multiple rabbits can also work out cheaper over a year than paying for each visit separately.
What happens if I skip a year of vaccination?
A gap in cover leaves your rabbit exposed to two diseases that are almost always fatal and spread easily, including by biting insects for myxomatosis, so vets tend to treat a lapsed rabbit as needing a full restart course rather than a single booster. That restart usually costs more than simply staying on schedule, on top of the risk to the rabbit itself.