Rabies vaccination series

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I just got my third and final rabies vaccine. I feel strangely as if I have actually accomplished something. 🙂 I had my shots done at the SF City Travel clinic and the nurse was amazing. I didn't even feel the shots going in. If you are hesitating, don't! It can be a piece of cake.
 
So supposedly someone who has received the post-exposure series is considered vaccinated for any future exposure. I have the chance right now to recieve the post series for free because I was bitten by an un-vaccinated cat (not a stray, asymptomatic, long story). I'm not worried about actually having been exposed, but I'm wondering if I should do the series anyway because I am going to keep applying until I get in (gosh darn-it). My thinking is that I might as well do it now while it is free. I know you need to get titers done every two years, but that's less expensive.

What do you guys think?

I'm also in the middle of classes and don't want to get sick from it.
 
I had shot #2 today and I have to say that I haven't had any problems with them. The only thing I can say is that I was really tired the afternoon after my first one but seem to be doing pretty well today.
 
squibby said:
So supposedly someone who has received the post-exposure series is considered vaccinated for any future exposure. I have the chance right now to recieve the post series for free because I was bitten by an un-vaccinated cat (not a stray, asymptomatic, long story). I'm not worried about actually having been exposed, but I'm wondering if I should do the series anyway because I am going to keep applying until I get in (gosh darn-it). My thinking is that I might as well do it now while it is free. I know you need to get titers done every two years, but that's less expensive.

What do you guys think?

I'm also in the middle of classes and don't want to get sick from it.
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Are you sure they will actually cover the post exposure shots for you? Just getting bit by an unvaccinated animal isn't necessarily enough when its available for monitoring/testing.

Its a couple extra shots of the vaccine and the 4 shots of immunoglobin on day 1 which are supposedly rather painful.
 
david594 said:
Are you sure they will actually cover the post exposure shots for you? Just getting bit by an unvaccinated animal isn't necessarily enough when its available for monitoring/testing.

Its a couple extra shots of the vaccine and the 4 shots of immunoglobin on day 1 which are supposedly rather painful.
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It will be 100% free. I wonder how often people are still covered after 2 years when tested.
 
Had shot #1, and other than the mild muscle soreness and the sting of actually getting the injection, I have to say it wasn't that bad.
 
I'm supposed to go get my first one next Tuesday. Someone told me they were about $140 a shot, which turned out to be way off base. Oh well--a necessary expense. It does sound weird though to tell people I have to go get my rabies vaccine! 😀
 
I just called Jefferson county health dept and it's $192 there. I guess I'll start the series next month. I just have so many other things I'd rather spend my $$ on... Oh well!
 
Getting my first shot this Friday. Hope it's quick...
 
Had my final shot yesterday. I was very lucky to get this fully covered by my insurance (Kaiser) while I still have insurance at my full-time job, zero cost to me FTW! This is my last week at that job so no more insurance after this month 🙁. I'm very glad to have heard on here about needing the vax before school, and that gave me time to plan for the shots. The schools seem to be pretty lax in letting new students know this ahead of time. I just got my orientation packet from KSU last week, and I think that was the first "official" mention of it. I would have been extremely pissed if I just heard about it right after I was no longer insured, and was stuck paying $700 or something crazy for the series.
 
Looking for some advice...my GP won't offer the vaccination series and neither will the LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT. Everyone I've spoken with keeps telling me to go to the ER...I don't think they understand that I haven't actually been bit and am just getting immunized for school. I found a local travel clinic that will do it for $270 a pop, no insurance accepted. WOMP WOMP, that's a lot of cash. Anyone have any similar trouble? Or know of any inexpensive alternatives in the Bucks-Montco area of PA? And PS, the school that I will be attending does offer the series, but with a a steep price tag comparable to that of the travel clinic.
 
will you be getting the school's health insurance? Sometimes they are reimbursed to you after you pay the cash up front...I think thats how Penn's system works. Right now my school issued health insurance (Aetna) won't cover the rabies vaccine, but apparently once I get to Penn their health insurance (also Aetna, go figure) WILL cover it. But I have to pay the $270/shot each time I get one and then submit it to the company and they'll send me the money back. At least thats how I understand it
 
I had the exact same problem. I talked to my GP, however, and she WILL give me a prescription to take to the local pharmacy, pick up the vaccine myself, bring it to her, and she will shoot me up with it (giant PITA, but whatever). Maybe see if you can do that? My insurance wont cover the whole thing if done that way, but it will (aetna) cover like 40% of the total cost.
 
Lalzi, if you don't mind me asking, which Aetna do you have? They told me no. In addition to needing it for school, i am taking a hazmat course for the oil spill. They also said to get the shots before I handle animals. I am likely to see some victims in my current volunteer job. I want to start the series now, rather than later in the summer.
 
WOMP WOMP, that's a lot of cash. Anyone have any similar trouble?
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Yah. You might try looking further afield. I have to drive 3 hours (each way...) to get my rabies shots. AND pay cash for them because BlueCrossBlueShield knows that I HAVE to have them and so there's no way they're going to pay for them.
 
lalzi22 said:
I had the exact same problem. I talked to my GP, however, and she WILL give me a prescription to take to the local pharmacy, pick up the vaccine myself, bring it to her, and she will shoot me up with it (giant PITA, but whatever). Maybe see if you can do that? My insurance wont cover the whole thing if done that way, but it will (aetna) cover like 40% of the total cost.
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Hmmm... I'll have to talk to my doctor when I see her today about it. I called to double check that my dr had the vaccine on hand for me, they said no. Contact the health department. They said no, contact this clinic that gives the vaccine. They said $900 total for the entire series, with a receipt to give to my insurance company (Aetna) in hopes that they will reimburse me. Aetna said they do not cover any work/school/travel related vaccines, that if I chose to go the route with the clinic, they couldn't guarantee covering any of it. I called Ohio State's health center, and worst case scenario, I can get it there when they do it.
 
My Aetna is through my mothers work, POS II. Its awesome coverage for most things, just stupid rabies is a pain because no doctor carries it. Human doctors are clearly useless.
 
I'll be starting the series next Thursday. I'm lucky enough that my insurance, Medical Mutual, will cover 100% of the vaccine since it's required. I just had to find it in-net (which was a lengthy search). I ended up being able to have the Outpatient Infusion Services of Elyria Memorial Hospital (in Elyria, OH) get the vaccine for me. The local health department can give them, but they charge $205 each and don't bill insurance. Good Luck to everyone else!
 
WHOOP! Titer came back good...I got the series 4 years ago and it is still doing great!
 
Bumping this thread, as I am now doing my shots. After much research, I found my local health dept. was $206 per shot and insurance would not cover it. They said maybe they would cover it if I went to a private doctor if "my lifestyle put me at risk, but not for travel, work or school." I told them I camp in the woods where there are raccoons, and they said that would probably be ok. I went to a doctor for a checkup so he could write a script, then had them fax it to DIPLOMAT SPECIALTY PHARMACY. I picked it up, as there is a branch near me, but they said they would ship it at probably no cost to the patient or a doctor, as I asked. They were super nice, and even tried to submit it to my ins. (Aetna). The cost was $592 for 3 doses of IVOMAX. I will bring the nice little sterile packs to the doctor for a $10 admin fee per shot. They did offer them at my school for a little less, but I did not want to risk flu like symptoms while in class. Hope this info helps someone else. I will keep submitting to insurance, as I have found most people give up which is the idea. I can be tenacious -see GRE prep thread using vocab 🙂 will post if insurance comes through and actually covers it.
 
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after spending an hour on hold/playing phone tag with the doctor's office and my insurance company, i found out today my insurance (blue cross blue shield) will cover none of the cost for the vaccines =[
looks like i'm spending the $192/shot when i get to MSU in the fall. booooo.

(as an aside, i wonder how many practicing veterinarians are current with their rabies vaccine. both doctors at the clinic i work at say they haven't been vaccinated since vet school, which was a long time ago)
 
MSUspartan said:
(as an aside, i wonder how many practicing veterinarians are current with their rabies vaccine. both doctors at the clinic i work at say they haven't been vaccinated since vet school, which was a long time ago)
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CSU only requires proof of vaccination and does not ask for titer for people who were vaccinated a while ago. I was thinking maybe it was a good idea to go ahead and do that, but then my pcp told me she doesn't have an appointment until september... hmmm... I got mine in spring 2006 so it's been a while.
 
I know that the vet I shadow said his last rabies vaccine was over ten years ago but that as of last year or 2 years ago his titre was still very high. So it can definitely last for a long time
 
I will keep submitting to insurance, as I have found most people give up which is the idea.
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This is kind of what I did, except it was the clinic that did it. I was totally ready to pay out of pocket each time I got each shot but I just went in, they checked me in, asked if my insurance info was still up to date, and I said yes, then I waited a bit, got the shot, and left.

Found out yesterday I only owe some $45. May end up owing more (as only two of the shots were on the record) but It's better than some $400. This was with BlueCrossBlueShield who refused to cover it, but yet they ended up doing so in the long run. Maybe the clinic just knew how to word it on records to get the insurance companies to pay up.




But anyhow, I am now fully prepared to don the mantle of Plays-With-Squirrels.
 
But anyhow, I am now fully prepared to don the mantle of Plays-With-Squirrels.
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Love this. Also, I got my first one at the university med clinic last weekend (SUPER expensive...) But they didn't have me pay for it and said they would bring it up to my insurance, so hopefully they can work magic! (I also have BlueCrossBlueShield) If they can't work magic I'll just get a bill, joy.
 
so i found out that i can get the rabavert vaccine in tokyo for really cheap. they don't titer here so, so i thought i might as well just get the booster now since i got my shots done in 2006.

prob is... i don't remember if i had imovax or rabavert the first round. does it matter? if it turns out that i had gotten the imovax vaccine, is it not okay to get a booster with rabavert?

thanks!!!
 
Google the prescribing info that comes with each vaccine. It tells you in there if its fine.

I think it says it is, but i'm not 100% sure on that.
 
I was actually curious about this, so I Googled---this was the best thing that I could find regarding the similarities/differences between the two vaccines. It looks to be OK...but WTH do I know? 🙂. I know that the Imovax vaccine is much more difficult to track down, but I read that the reason was that the company that manufactured it was undergoing some sort of renovation and couldn't produce them for awhile.
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/05vol31/asc-dcc-5/index-eng.php
 
jpeterman13 said:
I was actually curious about this, so I Googled---this was the best thing that I could find regarding the similarities/differences between the two vaccines. It looks to be OK...but WTH do I know? 🙂. I know that the Imovax vaccine is much more difficult to track down, but I read that the reason was that the company that manufactured it was undergoing some sort of renovation and couldn't produce them for awhile.
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/05vol31/asc-dcc-5/index-eng.php
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Thanks David and jp!

According to that website:

"The immunization series should, whenever possible, be completed with the same product. However, if this is not feasible, RabAvert® and Imovax® are considered interchangeable in terms of indications for use, immunogenicity, efficacy, and safety."

So I guess the answer is yes! CSU doesn't even require a titer or a booster as of now (just records of having been vaccinated at some point) so I don't think it should be a prob either way in terms of it being acceptable for vet school... but I feel much better knowing that I'm all set in the rabies arena.
 
Good News... rabies vaccination completely covered by kaiser!!!

Bad News... I got my second shot yesterday and it kicked my ass 🙁 My arm feel like someone punched me and I woke up in the middle of the night with a terrible headache and a fever... :annoyed:
 
Does anyone know if there is a difference between getting the last rabies shot at 21 days vs 28 days? I'm getting the Imovax vaccine and my doctor doesn't seem to be aware of this 21 or 28 day rule. He wants to administer the last shot on the 28 day however this cuts into the week that I am suppose to move down to school. I am trying to find information where it lists that the 21 day is also acceptable but i don't want to push this issue if there are negative health side effects.

Any thoughts? and shouldn't my Doctor know of this 21 or 28 day rule? maybe I need a new doctor...
 
Its in the Prescribing Information for the Rabavert vaccine. Says the shots are to be adminstered at 0, 7 and 21 or 28 day.

And if your really lucky and the person prescribing it is really progressive they might even let you get the 3rd one on days 22 through 27!

But since your getting the Imovax you should check the insert for that vaccine and see what ti says.
 
Hopefully my Dr wont be too lazy and will actually read that info for me. The vax is at his office (only way insurance would cover it) so i don't have any way of actually reading the rx info. I have printed out multiple websites where it states 21 or 28 days however we all know how reliable some websites can be.... it is just a stressful time with trying to coordinate the big move and all. It all has to work out one way or another I suppose!
 
I took Imovax and I had to buy the vaccine. The package insert that came with it did say 21 or 28. Maybe you can ask the doctor if you can see the insert?
 
I'm currently in the middle of my series (2nd shot on Friday!) and my provider (going through a travel health org) inquired as to my preference for the third dosage day. I'm taking Imovax as well. Seems like 21 or 28 are both fine.
 
So UFL just increased their on-campus rabies vaccinations (the ones given during orientation) to $800 per shot!!!! What are they, nuts?!?! Thanks for making my orientation to vet school just a little bit harder and more expensive...
 
Are you sure its not $800 in total? $800 each would be outrageous and about 3x the normal going rate for the shots.
 
DPG1700 said:
So UFL just increased their on-campus rabies vaccinations (the ones given during orientation) to $800 per shot!!!! What are they, nuts?!?! Thanks for making my orientation to vet school just a little bit harder and more expensive...
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😱 That's ridiculous! Did you try looking into county health departments? I know Broward (Ft. Lauderdale area) is $206 per shot. Maybe Alachua or Marion counties offer it for less? You can also try looking into a doctor's office or a travel clinic. Good Luck, I hope you can find it cheaper somewhere else.
 
No, its definitely per shot, just spoke to the UF AVMA GHLIT insurance woman about it. I can take it somewhere else for cheaper, but I'll have to pay out of pocket first and then have my insurance reimburse me, while if I did it at campus, they'd take care of everything 🙁
 
DPG1700 said:
So UFL just increased their on-campus rabies vaccinations (the ones given during orientation) to $800 per shot!!!! What are they, nuts?!?! Thanks for making my orientation to vet school just a little bit harder and more expensive...
Click to expand...


😱
 
This is what the GHLIT insurance lady wrote me:


I just received information from the Student Health Care Center on campus regarding the Pre-Rabies Vaccinations. The first shot for you would cost $376.20 because you must first meet your $250 deductible and are then responsible for 20% of the remaining charge. Your next 2 shots would each cost you $176.20, making your total cost for the 3 shots at the SHCC on campus, $728.60.

ridiculous...
 
So thats $242 a shot? Thats not really unreasonable. If you shop around you can probably do better.

I still have a hard time believe they are "charging" $800 per shot.

The $800 for the first visit sounds right if they were charging for all 3 vaccines at that one visit(which would make sense since they would order them all at once). And for the following two you would only be charged an admin fee.
 
My shots were $280/shot + $20 office fee/shot. So $900 total, which may or may not be reimbursed by insurance :scared:
 
Super irritated with the rabies prophylaxis right now. I'm military, and when I originally got my prescription, the doctor just said to go down to Immunizations and get it done at the Naval Hospital. Well, it didn't fit in my schedule to be home on the correct days for the subsequent shots, so I waited until this summer when my schedule was a little more flexible.

Now: The immunizations clinic won't do pre-exposure shots, saying there is a shortage and they only do post-exposure shots. The shortage was declared over by the CDC in late 2009. They gave me a referral, but it's up to me to figure out if Tricare will cover it at an external facility. A.K.A: Here's your boat, the open water, and you better hope a paddle drifts over.

This all makes me want to be "accidently" nicked by one of the feral cats on campus.
 
I got a pre-exposure vaccine ( I think it was 3 parts) when I was in Africa in 1992. But I am not sure how long it lasts. Does anyone how long it lasts?
 
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