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CostHelper > Health & Personal Care  > Vaccinations > Rabies Vaccine

Rabies Vaccine Cost


How Much Does Rabies Vaccine Cost?

 
average costWith Insurance: $40-$160high costWithout Insurance: $500-$1,200+

Rabies pre-exposure vaccination typically is recommended for travelers who plan activities that will bring them into contact with wild or domestic animals, or who will be visiting remote areas where medical care might be difficult to obtain or who plan to stay longer than one month in areas where dog rabies is common, such as in developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Typical costs:

  • For patients not covered by health insurance, the cost of a rabies vaccination typically includes: a consultation fee, sometimes shot administration fees, and the cost of the three required doses of vaccine for a total of $500 to $1,200. For example, at the Michigan State University Travel Clinic[1] , the cost of a rabies vaccination is at least $35 to $95 for a consultation, depending on how long it lasts; $20 for shot administration ($15 for each additional shot) and $200 each for the three required shots for a total of at least $685. 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; a follow-up appointment to administer the vaccine costs $25 to $85; and the vaccine cost is $325 each for a total of at least $1,110.
  • Travel-related vaccinations, such as the rabies vaccination, often are not covered by health insurance because they are considered elective; however, some plans with preventive benefits do cover them.
  • For patients covered by health insurance, typical expenses include a copay of $10 to $40 for the doctor visit and a copay for each dose of the vaccine. For example, this BlueCare Direct HMO[2] covers vaccinations, including those needed for travel, for a $20 copay.
Related articles: Travel Vaccinations, Travel Insurance

What should be included:
  • During the initial travel consultation, a nurse or doctor specializing in travel medicine will ask about your itinerary and activity plans -- and probably will be more likely to recommend the rabies vaccination if you will be spelunking or working with animals.
  • After determining that you need the pre-exposure rabies vaccination, the health care professional will administer three shots: a first dose, a second dose seven days later and a third dose 21 or 28 days after the first dose.
  • The vaccine begins to provide protection in a week to 10 days, and protection lasts at least two years.
  • If you have been vaccinated and are bitten or scratched by an animal, you still must seek treatment immediately. However, having been vaccinated against rabies means that you will need less extensive post-exposure treatment; this can be helpful because rabies treatments are not readily available in some developing countries.
Shopping for rabies vaccine:
  • The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has guidelines[3] on who should receive a rabies pre-exposure vaccine.
  • The CDC also offers resources to help you find a travel clinic[4] .
  • At times, rabies pre-exposure vaccines have been unavailable in the United States because of shortages. The CDC offers a rabies page[5] with information on vaccine availability.
  • According to CDC guidelines[6] , anyone with a compromised immune system, or anyone who has had an allergic reaction in the past, should talk to a doctor before getting a rabies vaccination.
  • Risks and possible side effects associated with rabies vaccination include: headache, nausea, abdominal pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, hives, joint pain and fever. The CDC offers a fact sheet[7] on rabies and the vaccine.
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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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments

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Three bat bites on son's hand trying to capture
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Brenda Fox as designator for Cameron Fox in Portland, ME.Posted: August 18th, 2023 05:08PM
Insurance: None between jobsMedical Facility: Maine Health, Portland. Maine
Son got three bites while capturing. Bat was picked up and never delivered to the CDC in Augusta Maine in a timely fashion either by Portland Police Department or Gam Wardens who was on vacation and dropped the ball and it wasn't received for a week. Therefore, my son was forced to have four days of inoculations totaling nearly $22,000. because they did not know if the bat was rabid or not, and it is fatal. I've checked every state association i.e. Apttorney General, Senator Susan Collins, four attorneys who are too backlogged and don't dare to sue the City Of Portland, Governor Mills office never returned call and they say we cannot sue PPD despite being a resident of the City Of Portland for over 40 years. Now in NH Macram Collection and threatening sending to Transunion and Equifax. What recourse do we have? Collection agency will not take anything but the full amount and payment plans good last decades.
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SO EXPENSIVE at HCA Florida Lawnwood
Amount: $87,000.00
Posted by: Rebecca1175 in Fort Pierce, FL.Posted: July 11th, 2023 10:07AM
Insurance: Medical Facility: HCA FLorida Lawnwood
Possible exposure- no bite just handled baby- (Racoon turned out negative)
Health Department would NOT administer sent to ER.
Three visits (1 immunoglobulin complex shot, 2 rabies shots) TOTAL BEFORE INSURANCE $87,000+ after insurance just under $5,000. THESE CHARGES should be a crime.
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rabies vaccine in chile
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: E Larson in san jose de maipo, Other.Posted: July 25th, 2022 11:07AM
Insurance: Medical Facility: Hospital San José de Maipo
Got bit by a dog in Chile - shots might not have been necessary because I don't think the teeth made it through my hiking pants and thermals, but my leg was pretty scraped up and I was anxious about it so went to the local public hospital. Emergency room visit was about $20 and the vaccine is free.
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Bat bite
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Rita W in Irvine, CA.Posted: November 10th, 2019 10:11AM
Insurance: Blue Shield of CAMedical Facility: Hoag Emergency Room
On October 25th I was bitten by a bat during mid morning, animal control told me to get the rabies shots due to the fact that several rabid bats had been found in the area. I went to Hoag Emergency room, only place I could find the vaccine, was expecting to be billed as per my insurance $250 for each visit (4 in total) instead total bill is a whopping $30,000 for 7 shots and to take my vital signs while I am sitting in a chair. What justifies this outrageous cost?
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Florida State Scam
Amount: $37,851.00
Posted by: Staci Thrasher in Jacksonville, FL.Posted: October 25th, 2019 06:10AM
Insurance: NoneMedical Facility: Baptist South, Jacksonville, FL
Got bit by a stray dog and went to the ER for a Tetanus Shot. While I was there I was informed that rabies shots are mandated by law AND that I have to finish the series of 4 at the place I started them. Got the bill today, $37,851, talk about a state mandated racket! Hot does not even begin to describe where my emotions are at right now!
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Possible Bat Bite
Amount: $22,569.90
Posted by: Monica74 in Peoria, IL.Posted: October 5th, 2019 04:10AM
While cleaning house I picked up what I thought was a cat toy from my couch. It was a bat. I called animal control and, because it was a Friday, they wouldn't know if the bat was rabid until Monday afternoon. I didn't think I was bitten, but animal control said I likely wouldn't know if it had bit me and explained that due to coming into contact with a bat, rabies shots were in my best interest. I found out on Monday the bat was not infected, but I got the crazy surprise of finding out the vaccine cost 21,000! Add on 945 for ER visit and 164 for "therapeutic services", and 401 for professional fees and I have a 22, 569 bill. Insurance is covering 16,000, but six thousand seems like a lot to pay for only receiving part of the series of vaccines (after we found out the bat was rabid, animal control said I wouldn't need the last two shots). I've been told the charges will stand, so I'm currently working on getting put on a payment plan.
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Rabies Post Exposure Prophylaxis
Amount: $13,368.00
Posted by: DUTCH in Atlanta in Duluth, GA.Posted: September 28th, 2019 06:09AM
Insurance: MedicareMedical Facility: Northside Duluth Hospital
The amount shown is what the hospital billed. Initial HRIG & Vaccine administered in the ER. Three followup vaccine boosters given at the hospital's nursing station.
Amount to be covered by Medicare and Anthem BCBS Supplement is still to be determined
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Rabies Vacine
Amount: $46,553.86
Posted by: Tracy Dowson in Denver, CO.Posted: February 28th, 2019 10:02AM
Insurance: Liberty HealthMedical Facility: Lutheran Medical
I received a bit from a bat on a Saturday night. Caught the bat and it was rabid. Because it was Sunday I went to the emergency room for the vacinations. I am currently disputing the bill. This is outragious and I hope we can do healthcare for a more reasonable costs.
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Rabbie vaccination after Monkey bite in Thailand
Amount: $14,024.80
Posted by: kylek in portland, OR.Posted: January 17th, 2019 02:01PM
Insurance: unitedhealthcareMedical Facility: Legacy Emanuel
total cost for my wife and I (both were bite by monkeys) $28,249.86 the first shot which can only be administered in the ER (here in the US) cost 12,053.93, each additional shot was aprox 360ea.
The health care system is so broken.
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Pre vs. Post Exposure Rabies Vaccine
Amount: $25,089.18
Posted by: RGW in Providence, RI.Posted: September 24th, 2018 09:09AM
Insurance: YesMedical Facility: Miriam Hospital
The prices are not consistent because the posts are mixing the costs of a pre-exposure vaccine with those of post-exposure treatment. The post-exposure vaccine series includes injections of "immune globulin", which the pre-exposure vaccine does not include. My recent bat exposure total cost charged was $25,089.18. Of that cost, the "immune globulin" cost was $22,402.84. The actual rabies vaccine component (same as for pre-exposure) was "only" about $2,135. Truly, a broken medical system in the USA. Is this what was meant by the "Affordable Health Care Act"?
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Franklin Medical Greenfield Ma
Amount: $200.00
Posted by: Casbury in Greenfield, MA.Posted: August 22nd, 2018 12:08PM
Insurance: $29,546.85Medical Facility: Franklin Medical Center
After possible exposure to rabid bat I went to local E.R. and had 7 immunoglobulin shots and 1 rabies shot. I just wanted the rabies vaccine and wanted to wait on the i. globulin until I had the bat test results. According to the Mayo clinic it is fine to do i. globulin within 7 days. The hospital protocol would not allow for me to postpone. Without insurance my bill would have been $29,746.85. With insurance it is $200. The cost to manufacture the drugs is under $1,000.....
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Post exposure prohpylaxis
Amount: $1,800.00
Posted by: thiswasbad in Sacramento, CA.Posted: March 10th, 2018 10:03AM
Insurance: Blue CrossMedical Facility: Sutter Health
I received a full course of rabies vaccinations about 10 years ago. When I was recently bitten by a feral cat, which then got away, I had to visit the ER for antibiotic treatment and PEP. Because of my vaccination status I did not require immunoglobulins, but a series of two injections. The total bill for the two visits was $8,936; the two injections plus the charge for giving them came to $4,447. After insurance my expenses were $1,800, somewhat insane in my opinion for the services I received.
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Rabies Vaccines for HUMANS
Amount: $476.00
Posted by: Sharron D. in Hartford, CT.Posted: February 17th, 2018 08:02AM
You have 3 options for pre-eposure- buy the vaccine and have a walk-in physician give it, have your primary give it, or a hospital. Usually university hospitals have vx available for students. For the series (day 1, 7, and 21 or 28: $1600+ should cover the cost. Boosters every 2 years -you just need one. Or do a titer every 2 years. For post exposure- go to a university hospital. It used to cost $1200 per dose post-exposure- probably it the same now. Yes it is expensive but is better than death. $20k-$80k is ultra-extreme, I would write my senate and congressional persons and bitch! Then go to the States Attorney's Office. The prices you all report are way out of line.
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RABIES IN WYO
Amount: $26,000.00
Posted by: APA-ka in Lander, WY.Posted: February 9th, 2018 06:02PM
Insurance: NoMedical Facility: sagewest
had a bat in the house a couple days, couldn't get it til it died. Apparently they die after a few days of not eating. We were unsure if it bit any of us, and we sent it off to be tested. In the same town, a women died a year before from being bit by a bat. Luckily the cost was covered for my son because he is a tribal member. But I had no insurance and had to get my shots done in the ER. I was informed that it would be expensive, no one knew exactly how much, but no more than $5000. WRONG! I am single mother and college student with a $26,000 bill and their billing department expects me to be able to pay it within the year!!!! Why can't they put me on a reasonable payment plan???? Um goodbye new car and hello collections and judgments
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Rabies Vacc.
Amount: $30.00
Posted by: Fed up tax payer. in Bay City, MI.Posted: December 14th, 2017 12:12PM
I plan to get my rabies vacc. along with my dog at vets. 15.00 per injection for a grand total of 30.00! Why not? It is just difficult finding a vet to give me a vacc.
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Ridiculous
Amount: $27,642.64
Posted by: An unfortunate soul in Chattanooga, TN.Posted: November 28th, 2017 04:11PM
Insurance: YesMedical Facility: Parkridge Medical Hospital ER
ER is the only place that has the post-exposure vaccine in Chattanooga, TN. Had to get 8 shots around the bite on my finger, 2 shots in the butt, and one in the arm. They billed insurance 27,642.64 for all of it. They charged 3k for the first follow up appointment.
My insurance paid all but $700 and that 700 made me hit my out of pocket max, so who knows how much I would have been responsible for paying. Still two more bills to roll in for it all...
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Rabies Vaccinne
Amount: $20,000.00
Posted by: Cathy Dixon in Dothan, AL.Posted: November 20th, 2017 12:11PM
Insurance: Medical Facility: Southeast Alabama Medical Center
My daughter adopted a 7 year old dauschaund that was an owner surrender. The shelter never informed us that she was aggressive. She bite me the night we got here. No stitches, just cleaned the wound and gave me the rabies vaccination.
Insurance paid some but my deductible is still $ 3,000.00. This is ridiculous. oh and get this. I had to go back back on the 3rd day and 7th day from accident. Both times the nurse came out to give me the shot. And the bills are about $ 800.00 in difference. I have demanded a itemized statement. Sounds like a little fraud is going around.
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Bat encounter
Amount: $924.00
Posted by: a user in Omaha, NE.Posted: October 15th, 2017 09:10PM
Insurance: BCBSMedical Facility:
A bat got into my parents house, I woke up with it on my arm. Since we were unable to catch the bat before it got out of the house I had to get the rabies injections. The only way to get the shots was through a local ER. Total costs before insurance was $21147 with the out of pocket being $924. Absolutely ridiculous.
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Rabies Shot
Amount: $1,000.00
Posted by: Bat Girl in Boston, MA.Posted: August 4th, 2017 09:08AM
Insurance: BC/BSMedical Facility: Faulkner Hosp
Rabies Immune Globulin shot alone cost just over $10,000. After Insurance and contractual I owe just over $1,000. That does not include ER charge or admin charges. Plus three more ER shots for follow up shots
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Bit on school trip
Amount: $26,000.00
Posted by: Pissed student in Lubbock in Lubbock, TX.Posted: July 9th, 2017 11:07PM
Insurance: SummitMedical Facility: UMC
So I got bit on a wildlife trip. This was mandatory for a class. I got bit by a raccoon. Wasn't going to go to the hospital bc I can't afford a doctors visit. The only reason I went was bc my prof. Said that the school would cover it. The school will only cover $5,000 of it so I'm up the creek without a paddle. It's great that it doesn't cost but maybe a couple hundred dollars to manufacture the vaccine my now I, a broke college student, has to pay more than all my classes for a year cost.
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Rabies vaccine in 2014 - Wareham, MA
Amount: $1,100.00
Posted by: John t. in Wareham, MA.Posted: May 1st, 2017 12:05PM
Insurance: ~$10,000Medical Facility: Toby hospital
In 2014 I needed a set of rabies shots after a raccoon attack. With excellent insurance it cost me $1,100.
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External Resources:
  1.  travelclinic.msu.edu/apptinfo/costs.html
  2.  www.creative-health-insurance.com/AnthemPDFFiles/BlueCareCovRates08.pdf
  3.  www.cdc.gov/rabies/qanda/general.html#t2
  4.  wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/find-clinic
  5.  www.cdc.gov/rabies/news/
  6.  www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/should-not-vacc.htm#rabies
  7.  www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/VIS/downloads/vis-rabies.pdf
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