 | With Insurance: $10-$40 |
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 | Without Insurance: $50-$200+ |
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| Most adults in United States were vaccinated against polio during childhood and do not need a booster. However, a booster is recommended for certain adults at higher risk, including travelers going to Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia or the Middle East. The polio vaccine protects against poliomyelitis, a highly contagious viral disease that can cause paralysis and, in a small number of cases, death. | | |
| Typical costs: | - For patients not covered by health insurance, a polio booster typically costs $50 to $200 or more. For example, at CVS Pharmacy's Minute Clinics, a polio shot costs $82. And at the San Francisco Department of Public Health travel clinic, an initial consultation costs $39 and polio vaccination costs $53 for a total of $92. And at Baylor Travel Medicine in Texas, an initial consultation costs $85 to $150, depending on the complexity of the patient's travel itinerary and medical history, and a follow-up appointment to administer the vaccine costs $25 to $85, and the vaccine costs $49 for a total of at least $159.
- Because a polio vaccination for an adult is considered travel-related, many health insurance plans consider it elective and do not cover it; however, some plans with preventive benefits do cover travel-related vaccinations.
- For patients covered by health insurance, typical expenses include a copay of $10 to $40 for the doctor visit and a copay for the vaccination. For example, this BlueCare Direct HMO covers vaccinations, including those needed for travel, for a $20 copay.
What should be included: | - After determining that you need the polio vaccine, the health professional will administer a shot. The booster is more than 99 percent effective when the patient has had the recommended primary series in the past.
Discounts: | |
Shopping for polio vaccine: | - The oral polio vaccine, which is a live vaccine, was used at one time but is no longer recommended in the United States because of the small risk of contracting polio. Instead, a shot is recommended. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a fact sheet about polio vaccination, and also information on polio for travelers.
- You can visit your doctor for routine vaccinations and booster shots. Or, drug stores, such as Walgreens and CVS have clinics that offer polio boosters for adults in some store locations. Or, the CDC offers resources to help you find a travel clinic.
- For most people, the polio shot is considered very safe, and serious side effects are rare. The most common side effect is soreness or redness at the injection site.
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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Article updated January 2010 |
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