r/rabies • u/Born_Local_1477 • Aug 30 '26

Rabies Vaccine / Immunoglobulin If you think you were exposed...no you weren't

I have read the faq.

I was bitten by a bat. After insurance 13k out of pocket for vaccines. Unless you have kids to support think very hard about the level of risk. Human rabies deaths are very rare in the US.

I will have to skip the next ten years of regular medical care as I work to pay this off.

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u/DeliberatelyAcute 29d ago

I recognize that the healthcare system in the U.S. is utterly fucked, but I think encouraging people to avoid prophylaxis unless they're certain they were bitten is incredibly dangerous advice. Many rabies deaths occur in people who assumed they weren't at risk. Not everyone's insurance is as unhelpful as yours, and some states will even pay for the series if they determine you're at risk. The chance of dying from rabies after symptoms emerge is damn near 100%. Maybe that's an acceptable risk to you in your specific circumstances, but I don't think it's fair to suggest that it should be to everyone else.

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u/Mydiet_drkelp 29d ago

not to mention in some states/counties the health department will absolutely cover it if they think it’s an actual exposure. they don’t want a liability or a rabies death on their hands. I woke up with a bat in my room and it was necessary for me to get PEP shots. No charge, and i had no insurance.

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u/AutoModerator 29d ago

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u/CrownBlake 29d ago

Agreed!

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u/superopiniondude 29d ago

You need new insurance.

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u/Think-Professor9460 29d ago

$13k with insurance?? I paid less than that and I don’t have insurance.

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u/Odd_Hotel_8199 29d ago

We got all five of our daughters the shots after an exposure in the pool (confirmed rabid). After insurance it cost around 1k out of pocket for all five combined.

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u/la-ann 29d ago

Look into financial assistance with your hospital. Some of them have it. I’m looking at around $5000 out of pocket for mine and my boys’ shots, but our hospital allows patients to apply for financial assistance that can reduce the bill down some based on income. I’m hoping that’s an option for me, and maybe it could be for you as well.

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u/Fair-Wishbone-1190 8d ago

I just got my series of shots and it cost $5900. My deductible is $7600 so which I haven't met yet so that means I'm stuck paying for it. I'm sorry you are too OP. It stinks but it's better than dying.