Rabies Vaccine

[jeeney]

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For those of you from Southern California (los angeles county area), where did you go to for your rabies vaccine because I am not sure if my family doctor offers it and I need to get it before school starts...

 

[Sweetcaroline14]

For those of you from Southern California (los angeles county area), where did you go to for your rabies vaccine because I am not sure if my family doctor offers it and I need to get it before school starts...

Hey there. I got mine at a travel clinic on Wilshire(Passport Health, I believe...just google passport health vaccines and it'll pop up) which most of it was covered by my insurance after I submitted a claim. I had to pay out upfront. It was very pricey, so I'm not sure how different the shots will be at other facilities. However, in hindsight, I would call a local urgent care facility that does TB etc and ask them if they will do the three shot series and if you can order it in advance. Would probably cost less. Anyone else in the area have details to help out jeeney? I bet your family doctor can order it. I'd call ASAP! Good luck. Hope I was of some help.

 

[SoxGirl0407]

My employer had our whole clinic vaccinated through the health department (in Florida, but I'm sure all state health departments do it). The same office that handled international travel vaccines did our rabies. You could try calling the health department and see if they can reference you anywhere else that may be cheaper. Your family doctor (like Sweetcaroline14 said) may be able to order it for you as well... Mine had to order my menangitis vaccine because they didn't carry it (weird). It is very expensive no matter what, but it's worth biting the bullet and getting it over with before school starts. You will be very achy and possibly sick, so don't put it off.

 

[chris03333]

For those of you from Southern California (los angeles county area), where did you go to for your rabies vaccine because I am not sure if my family doctor offers it and I need to get it before school starts...

I had Kaiser. Went to the Glendora location (my regular doc was there). They had it on hand and only charged me my copay to see the MD ($10) for him to authorize it with the letter from Western saying it was something I needed for school (I also did all of my physical examination paperwork at the same time.)

Lots of my classmates got it at the local health departments.

 

[BlazeoGlory]

I will say for one it's definitely helpful if you work for a clinic that requires it so that they pay for the costs! I got mine at a small walk-in clinic, just ask around, I am sure there are several places to go in your area, if you haven't already found one yet!

On a personal note, I got my set of 3 in the summer of 2005. I am pretty sure the titer levels remain high even after several more years, but I am wondering if it is common to get the series done again, having a titer done or just showing proof that you had the vaccines in the past (for anyone who nay have been in a similar situation)! 😎

 

[Angelo84]

You should get a titer tested every two years. If it is low you would get boostered.

 

[mdnghtdnc]

I had Kaiser. Went to the Glendora location (my regular doc was there). They had it on hand and only charged me my copay to see the MD ($10) for him to authorize it with the letter from Western saying it was something I needed for school (I also did all of my physical examination paperwork at the same time.)

Lots of my classmates got it at the local health departments.

Chris for Western do they require a titer check. I had to get the rabies vaccines when I first started tech school which was in 2002.

 

[clawsbeatskin]

I think documentation should be enough for Western...

 

[chris03333]

Chris for Western do they require a titer check. I had to get the rabies vaccines when I first started tech school which was in 2002.

They may ask for a titer check in lieu of revaccination since it has been longer than 2 years after your vaccine. Just before starting 3rd year rotations they ran titers on all of my class. So I am sure they would take titers if you were vaccinated previously. Your sample has to be sent to K-State I believe...

 

[SweeTeaPie]

*bump*

Any other experiences with getting a rabbies vaccine? I can get one through New Bolton since I volunteer, but I'd still have to pay $645 for the actual vaccine. I was told that they don't take insurance, and I'd have to get reinbursed, but when I called my lame insurance company, they told me that they would only cover part of it if it was for a Medical Reason., pparently going to vet school and possibly being exposed to rabbies is not considered "medical". Go figure...

My primary Care Physician can't get it and referred me to an ER... which obvioulsy was not much help...

Any other ways out their to avoid the $645 fee?!?!?!

 

[PAThbrd]

FYI for all you future Penn-we's... there is a mass vax cattle chute type system for the whole series your first couple weeks of school. And then there is a cattle chute drawing of blood for titers at the beginning of 3rd year. It covered by student insurance if you get it from Penn, or its $420 if you have other insurance (unless your insurance covers it).

 

[jeeney]

yay i finally found a place that does this vaccine...getting scared now..*i hate receiving shots*...appointment is on june 6 🙁

 

[reefervet]

make sure you can still get it... I went to get mine and was told CDC announced a shortage of rabies vaccines and you are only allowed to get it post-exposure. From what I was told all the vet schools also received this notice and should be amending their requirements for c/o 2012.

I did a google for CDC rabies vaccine shortage and got this:

Current Situation (as of May 19th 2008):
Effective May 19th, 2008, Sanofi Pasteur maker of IMOVAX Rabies (Rabies Vaccine) will temporarily only be available for post-exposure prophylaxis.
Sanofi Pasteur will continue to supply their vaccine to health care providers, who in consultation with public health, are treating patients who have had documented rabies exposures.
These measures will allow responsible management of currently limited supplies of this vaccine.
A letter from the manufacturer explaining this change will be released to clinicians on Monday, May 19th, 2008.
Novartis, the other supplier of rabies vaccine in the US, currently has limited amounts of rabies vaccine, RabAvert, which is available for postexposure prophylaxis use only. It is expected that additional RabAvert will be available to the market by approximately July 2008. It is hoped that the demand for pre-exposure vaccine supplies will be met at this time.
Discussions among federal, state, and local public health personnel are ongoing to review additional strategies to handle pre exposure vaccination needs (Pre EP)

website link for more info:
http://209.85.141.104/search?q=cach...ortage&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us&client=safari

and here:
http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/news/2008-05-20_PreEVax.html

Why is there an interruption in supply?
Starting in June 2007, Sanofi Pasteur began renovating its IMOVAX Rabies vaccine production facility in France to maintain compliance with the most current requirements from FDA and the French regulatory body. Prior to these renovations, Sanofi Pasteur established an inventory based on historical levels of sales and projected market demand. The facility is scheduled to be approved and operational by mid-to-late 2009. Until the facility is operational, Sanofi Pasteur has a finite amount of IMOVAX Rabies vaccine.
After the renovations began, Novartis, the other supplier of rabies vaccine for the United States, was unable to meet projected rabies vaccine supplies.
Since early 2008, Novartis has been supplying its rabies vaccine, RabAvert, for post-exposure use only. Consequently, Sanofi Pasteur has been supplying nearly all of the market for rabies vaccine. The increase in demand for IMOVAX is outpacing the company's historical levels of supply.
How does this affect current rabies vaccination recommendations?
Pre-EP should be delayed until vaccine is available. It is expected that additional vaccine will be available again approximately in July 2008.
Persons at increased risk for rabies exposure should take appropriate precautions to avoid rabies exposure
Vaccine is available for PEP, and providers should consult with local/state public health department to ensure appropriate use of PEP
General rabies awareness and prevention messages should be emphasized to avoid exposure (e.g., avoid wildlife contact, vaccinate pets/livestock, capture/observe/test exposing animal, etc.)

so according to this, we should still be able to get vaccinated before school starts

 

[zpinkpanther]

I could use a little advice, too. Has anyone in the Maryland (specifically Baltimore, but if it's cheaper than I've found, a longer drive would be worth it) had any luck finding a good place for the rabies vaccine? My GP doesn't do vaccines anymore (?!), and most places I've called either don't have it or will only give it if you've been bitten, which is understandable since there's a shortage. I did find it at Passport Health for $225 per dose (plus $26 exam fee with first visit), and I found it at a travel clinic, which is a little sketchier and further away, for $200 per dose. Both don't accept insurance, and I don't have great insurance now anyway. Do these sound like decent prices or have you found better ones? Thanks for any advice! 🙂

 

[VAgirl]

I could use a little advice, too. Has anyone in the Maryland (specifically Baltimore, but if it's cheaper than I've found, a longer drive would be worth it) had any luck finding a good place for the rabies vaccine? My GP doesn't do vaccines anymore (?!), and most places I've called either don't have it or will only give it if you've been bitten, which is understandable since there's a shortage. I did find it at Passport Health for $225 per dose (plus $26 exam fee with first visit), and I found it at a travel clinic, which is a little sketchier and further away, for $200 per dose. Both don't accept insurance, and I don't have great insurance now anyway. Do these sound like decent prices or have you found better ones? Thanks for any advice! 🙂

State Health Department (I found it in Frederick County, though haven't made my appt yet). It's like $166 a dose. No exam fee, I don't think, but I'm not 100% yet on that.

 

[zpinkpanther]

State Health Department (I found it in Frederick County, though haven't made my appt yet). It's like $166 a dose. No exam fee, I don't think, but I'm not 100% yet on that.

Thanks! I found the Fredrick County program while I was poking around online today, but I wasn't able to get in touch with them. Do you know whether or not you have to be a Fredrick County resident to get it there?

 

[twelvetigers]

If I get this weekend job with the teaching hospital, I'll get the vaccine right away, and paid for by the university. Hahahaha. Not that I really want a shot (or a series of shots) but I know I don't want to have to pay for it if I don't wanna!!

 

[VAgirl]

Thanks! I found the Fredrick County program while I was poking around online today, but I wasn't able to get in touch with them. Do you know whether or not you have to be a Fredrick County resident to get it there?

I think you have to have some connection to the county, but not necessarily residential (for example, I work in Frederick, so that was ok with them). But it wouldn't hurt to call and ask them if you qualify anyway, as you are a MD resident. Plus, there might also be a county health dept closer to you.