Hepatitis Vaccine Cost

How Much Does Hepatitis Vaccine Cost?

	With Insurance: $20-$120
	Without Insurance: $60-$700+

Vaccinations for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are often recommended for travelers, but also for some non-travelers. Vaccination against Hepatitis A, an acute liver disease spread by person-to-person contact or contaminated food and drink, is recommended for anyone traveling to developing countries and for people with chronic liver diseases. Vaccination against Hepatitis B, a potentially much more serious liver disease that can become chronic and is spread through contact with infected bodily fluids, is recommended for travelers to areas with moderate to high rates of Hepatitis B; it also is recommended for anyone over 65, people with compromised immune systems and sexually active adults not in long-term monogamous relationships.

Typical costs:

• For patients not covered by insurance, the total cost of a Hepatitis A vaccination sometimes includes a consultation fee, and usually includes shot administration fees and the cost of the two required doses of the vaccine for a total of $60 to $300 or more. For example, at the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health[1] in Iowa, there is no consultation fee, and a Hepatitis A vaccination costs $30 to $35 per dose for a total of $60 to $70. 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 follow-up appointments to administer the shots cost $25 to $85 each. A Hepatitis A vaccination costs $90 per shot for a total of at least $315.
• For patients not covered by insurance, the total cost of a Hepatitis B vaccination sometimes includes a consultation fee, and usually includes shot administration fees and the cost of the three required doses of the vaccine for a total of about $120 to $370 or more. For example, at the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health[2] in Iowa, there is no consultation fee, and a Hepatitis B vaccination costs $40 per dose for a total of $120. 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 follow-up appointments to administer the shots cost $25 to $85 each. A Hepatitis B vaccination costs $70 per shot for a total of at least $370.
• For patients not covered by insurance, the total cost of a combined Hepatitis A/B vaccination sometimes includes a consultation fee, and usually includes shot administration fees and the cost of the three required doses of the vaccine for a total of about $330 to $700. For example, at the travel clinic operated by the San Francisco Department of Public Health[3] , the total cost would be $336 and at Baylor Travel Medicine in Texas,the total would be at least $500 or as much as $680.
• Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccinations sometimes are covered by health insurance, especially for at-risk individuals, with typical copays of $10 to $40. For example, BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama[4] includes Hepatitis A and combined Hepatitis A/B on its list of standard covered immunizations. Most United Healthcare[5] plans cover vaccinations based on CDC guidelines, which recommend Hepatitis A and B vaccinations for people at risk due to health, lifestyle or occupational issues. And Medicare covers Hepatitis B vaccinations for patients at medium to high risk.

What should be included:

• The Hepatitis A vaccine is given in a series of two shots, six months apart. Protection begins four to six weeks after the first shot. The CDC has an information sheet[6] about the Hepatitis A vaccine.
• The Hepatitis B and combined Hepatitis A/B vaccines usually are given in a series of three shots, with the second shot a month after the first, and the third shot six months after the first. The CDC has an information sheet[7] about the Hepatitis B vaccine.
• The Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are more than 90 percent effective in preventing the diseases, and the vaccinations provide long-term protection in adults -- possibly lifelong, but definitely more than 20 years.

• Low-cost vaccinations are available across the United States through hepatitis prevention programs. HepPrograms.org offers a state-by-state list of clinics and programs.

• For travelers considering getting vaccinated, the CDC offers a map of areas where Hepatitis A is common[8] and areas where Hepatitis B is common[9] .
• Check with your doctor about getting vaccinated. Or, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services[10] offers a public clinic locator by zip code. Or, the CDC offers a travel clinic locator[11] .
• If you are traveling, it is a good idea to visit the clinic well in advance of your trip since Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are given over a six-month period; you can travel and still be protected before you receive the final shots, but it is important that you do get them for long-term immunity.
• According to CDC guidelines[12] , anyone who has had a severe allergic reactions in the past should check with a doctor and not get hepatitis vaccinations if they are allergic to any of the vaccine components.