Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine Cost

How Much Does Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine Cost?

	With Insurance: $30-$120
	Without Insurance: $450-$1,100+

A Japanese Encephalitis vaccination typically is recommended for travelers who will be living or staying more than a month during Japanese Encephalitis season in certain rural parts of Asia. The vaccine protects against the viral disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes found in rice paddies; most cases are asymptomatic, but about one person in 250 will develop serious symptoms, which often include encephalitis.

Typical costs:

• For patients not covered by health insurance, the cost of a Japanese Encephalitis vaccination typically includes: a consultation fee, shot administration fees, and the cost of the three required doses of vaccine. The total cost typically ranges from under $450 to more than $1,100.
• For example, at California's Pasadena Public Health Department travel clinic, where there is no consultation fee, Japanese Encephalitis vaccination costs $435 total for all three shots. 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, each follow-up appointment to administer the shots costs $25 to $85, and the vaccine cost is $250 each for a total of $885 to $1,070.
• Many health insurance plans do not cover travel-related vaccinations because they are considered elective. However, some plans that offer 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[1] covers vaccinations, including those needed for travel, for a $20 copay.

What should be included:

• During the initial travel consultation, a nurse or doctor specializing in travel medicine will ask about your itinerary -- which countries you plan to visit, whether you will be in urban or rural areas, and which activities you have planned.
• After determining that you need the Japanese Encephalitis vaccination, the health care professional will administer one shot, then a second shot seven days later and a third shot 30 days after the first.
• Immunity will last for at least two to three years, and the vaccination is 99 percent effective in protecting against the disease.

• Despite the vaccine's effectiveness, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommends that travelers to endemic areas try to avoid mosquito bites by using an insect repellent that contains up to 50 percent DEET. A bottle or tube typically costs less than $10. For example, Magellans.com[2] , a travel supply website, sells a 12-hour repellant. Repellants with DEET as the active ingredient also can be purchased at drugstores, discount stores and outdoors supply stores.

• Public travel health clinics sometimes charge lower consultation and shot administration fees than private clinics.

• In general, it is recommended that travelers get vaccinated if they are planning to spend a month or more in a rural area in Asia where there is a risk for Japanese Encephalitis at that time of year. Sometimes the vaccine is recommended for shorter-term travelers who are visiting an area where epidemic transmission is occurring or travelers who plan to participate in extensive outdoor activities. Vaccination typically is not recommended for travelers who plan to stay in urban areas or will be traveling for less than a month. The CDC offers a table[3] that shows the Japanese Encephalitis risk and vaccination recommendations by country and season.
• The CDC offers a travel clinic locator[4] . It is good to check availability well in advance since there have been shortages of the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine in the recent past.
• According to CDC guidelines[5] , pregnant or nursing women, and anyone who has had severe allergic reactions in the past, especially hives or wheezing after a wasp sting, should check with a doctor before receiving a Japanese Encephalitis vaccination.