Cheap place for (humans) to get rabies shots?

[Anonymous]

My family and I were exposed to a rabid bat while on vacation and need to get the 4th/final shot in the series. The first one was required to be in an ER (no copay) and the next shots we got at urgent care ($50 copay/each).

Is there somewhere else we can go to get the 4th shot for less money? We've tried the county health department but only get voicemail and no return calls.

[Anonymous]

When my son had the protocol, his pediatrician ordered the shots (after the first one) and did them in her office. Have you asked if your doctor can administer them?

[Anonymous]

Be sure and get it!!

[Anonymous]

There is no other place. ER is the easiest and most likely to have it. I went through this with my child and it’s ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

$50 copay IS CHEAP is OP

[Anonymous]

Are you in maryland. The state's department of health will cover the cost if your insurance doesnt

[Anonymous]

The ER

[Anonymous]

This is my favorite thread title. OP I'm sorry you're going through this. But only on DCUM...

[Anonymous]

How were you exposed?

[Anonymous]

My friend had to do this and she had to go to the ER for all her shots. $500 EACH TIME! Nowhere else had the vaccine. They all kept telling her how great it was she was getting them done (she woke up with a bat literally next to her) but she also kept being like: no one can afford this!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend had to do this and she had to go to the ER for all her shots. $500 EACH TIME! Nowhere else had the vaccine. They all kept telling her how great it was she was getting them done (she woke up with a bat literally next to her) but she also kept being like: no one can afford this!!

The shots are not 100% covered by insurance like a vaccine?

[Anonymous]

Were all of you bitten by a bat?

[Anonymous]

I recently got a two-shot series of rabies vaccine at Safeway (for travel reasons, not exposure). They had to order it though. Call a few pharmacies.

[Anonymous]

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/raccoon-rabies-vaccine-shot-costs-family-thousands-howard-county/46031392

Howard County Health Department spokesperson Lisa De Hernandez told 11 News Investigates in a statement, "A family of five whose gross income is more than $79,416 must pay 100% of the (rabies vaccine) charges."

Maryland Department of Health spokesperson Chase Cook told 11 News that about 500 Maryland residents per year need the rabies vaccine. He said, in part, "We cannot speak for why the cost is so high. A person may decline any treatment."

Howard County Sen. Clarence Lam, D-District 12, is also a doctor.

"I think something's broke here. It's heartbreaking to hear this family's situation," Lam said. "If someone actually contracts rabies and they aren't treated and aren't vaccinated, they could die."

Lam said Maryland state law is too vague. He wants the general assembly to work on clarifying the language.

"One thing we could consider is that maybe there shouldn't have to be any income eligibility at all," he said.

Lam said, because rabies is a public health issue, perhaps the cost of the vaccine should be covered by the state. Otherwise, he worries more people will start thinking like this: "If people knew how much it cost, then they wouldn't go get it," he said.

Peterson and her family continue to dispute the charges, but as of right now, it looks like they will be forced to pay the $13,000.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$50 copay IS CHEAP is OP

Yeah I keep re-reading to see if I’m reading it correctly. Our family had rabies shots and we paid $10K out of pocket.