How Much Does a Human Rabies Shot Cost?
A rabies shot for a human being is generally offered to those that are planning on traveling outside of the United States. Many Doctors, as well as health experts will recommend that you get this shot as a precaution to many of the foreign diseases in countries such as Asia, and more. Also, it may be required that veterinarians, animal handlers, lab workers and more may also be require to receive this vaccination.
How much does the rabies vaccine cost?
- For those that don’t have health insurance, the rabies shot cost itself is going to vary anywhere from $400 to as much as $1,400 per shot. The location, the clinic and other factors may greatly influence the price itself. With the rabies shots, you will need up to five shots over a certain time period on average. When everything is said and done, expect the bill to be more than $5,000 to $8,000.
- For those that do have health insurance, be sure to consult with your insurance provider as you will find that many of them may not cover this shot, as it is deemed an optional medical procedure. If the insurance company will cover the shot itself, refer to your co-pays and insurance policy in general. With insurance, the average is anywhere from $0 to $50.
- According to the CDC, the cost of rabies shots can well exceed the $1,000 mark. One of the main reasons is because you have to receive over five doses over a four-week period.
- A user over on the forums StraightDope.com claimed that they had received a bill for more than $5,000. Of course, if the user had health insurance, they would be covered according to their policy deductible and co-pay.
What is going to be included?
- Typically, the shot will be required, as well as nurse / doctor to help administer the shot. The rabies shot is usually administered in three different shots. The protection can last you up to more than two years in general.
- A consultation may also be included, as well as a pamphlet to help you better understand the shot in general.
What are the extra costs?
- A consultation fee may be required at some clinics. This can range from $5 to $100.
- If you’re going to receive this at your local Doctor’s office, a office visit fee may be applied to the bill itself as well.
- Some clinics may also charge a shot administration fee. This can vary from $10 to $40.
- If the shots don’t work in the long, extensive testing and other vaccines may be required. While this is rare, the cost of these visits can widely vary in pricing.
- Emergency room visits will cost up to 60 percent more than a visit at a typical doctor’s office. Because most worry, many find themselves in the emergency room for a visit.
Tips to know:
- Symptoms from exposure to an animal with rabies usually includes symptoms such as a fever, headache, tiredness or a sore throat. Whenever there is contact with any type of animal, it’s essential that a professional is notified.
- Always make sure that your dog or cat is vaccinated with the current vaccinations. If you’re unsure if your animal is up to date, be sure to talk
- Always be sure to avoid contact with any sort of stray animal, no matter how friendly they may be. Never touch an animal that looks wounded or dead. It’s best to contact the local animal control department.
- If a wild animal has been hanging around your property or has gained access to an attic, basement, etc, it’s best to talk with a local pest service to properly remove them.
How can I save money?
- Refer to your local insurance company to see if they can cover something such as this.
- Also, consider getting something such as this rabies shot done at a local health clinic. If your state’s department clinic offers something such as this, you may want to consult with them. Refer to the CDC to find a location that can help you. Many state programs allow you to receive this vaccine at a lower price.
- If you don’t have any sort of health insurance, you may want to consider finding a policy through services such as eHealthInsurance.com. That way, these type of procedures would be protected in the future.
- If this vaccine was due to an animal in the neighbor, consult with a lawyer to see if they can cover the medical bills for you. If it’s due to their negligence, you could receive funds via a lawsuit.
- Students that are currently going to go to college may want to consult with their local health center. You may find that you will be able to have the vaccine at a discounted rate.






I was charged 5000 dollars for initial shots then 300 dollars each for 4 follow ups
My doctor sent me to Emergency and charged $8,975 just for the Immunoglobulin shot and the first dose. Don’t let cost deter you: your life depends on it.
How much did you spend?