Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in the U.S. is expensive, often costing thousands of dollars, primarily due to the high cost of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG), which is derived from screened human blood. The treatment involves specialized, low-volume manufacturing and is usually administered in emergency rooms, leading to high administrative and logistical costs.

Why are rabies shots so expensive in the US?

PEP is especially expensive because the immunoglobulin that's needed to curb the progress of the virus is derived from human blood, and therefore requires multiple careful screenings to ensure that it is free of disease.

Do most insurances cover rabies shots?

Many health insurance plans cover much of the rabies vaccine cost for humans and an injection of HRIG antibodies if treatment after suspected exposure is required. Pre-exposure rabies vaccine may not be covered by your health plan.

Which country has the most rabies cases?

An estimated 31,000 human deaths due to rabies occur annually in Asia, with the majority – approximately 20,000 – concentrated in India. Worldwide, India has the highest rate of human rabies in the world primarily due to stray dogs.

Why is there no rabies in the UK?

The UK and most of Western Europe are rabies free due to the success of co-ordinated wildlife oral vaccination programmes, together with the availability of effective commercial vaccination for domestic animals2. However, rabies is endemic in wild animals of North America and in the forests of North Eastern Europe.

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How much does a 3 year rabies shot cost?

On average, canine rabies vaccine costs range from $40 to $75 per dose plus annual boosters.

Are rabies shots worth it?

Yes. Pre-exposure prophylaxis vaccination is recommended for people who work directly with animals that could have rabies—such as veterinarians or wildlife workers—or for travelers visiting parts of the world where the disease is common and access to emergency medical care is limited.

Why do the USA still have rabies?

Wildlife rabies surveillance: Wild animals account for more than 90% of reported cases, with bats (35%), raccoons (29%), skunks (17%), and foxes (8%) most often exposing Americans to rabies.

Is the rabies vaccine mandatory in the US?

Most states require rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats, and sometimes ferrets after those animals reach a certain age (typically between three and six months old). This may serve as a prerequisite to obtaining a dog license issued by a city or county.

Is there a death from rabies in 2025?

In February 2025, CDC confirmed a fatal rabies case in a patient who had received a transplanted kidney from a deceased donor with undiagnosed rabies. Three cornea recipients from the same donor underwent graft removal, received PEP, and remained asymptomatic.

Has anyone survived rabies without treatment?

Twenty years ago, she became the first person in the world to survive rabies without receiving the life-saving vaccine. Back in 2004 in Fond du Lac, Giese was 15 years old. She attended church with her mother on a Sunday morning.

How many people have died from rabies in the US?

Approximately 60,000 people receive PEP annually in the U.S., compared to 29 million people globally, per the report. During 2000–2021, an average of 2.5 persons died from rabies every year in the U.S., but none received prophylaxis to prevent rabies before developing symptoms.

What is the 10 day rule for rabies?

The 10-day observation period for a biting dog, cat, or ferret is a standard public health practice to determine rabies risk: if the animal remains healthy for 10 days after biting someone, it wasn't shedding the rabies virus in its saliva at the time of the bite, meaning the exposed person usually doesn't need rabies post-exposure shots (PEP). This quarantine ensures the animal is available for monitoring, preventing unnecessary euthanasia for brain testing and avoiding expensive PEP for the bite victim if the animal stays healthy.
 

Are rabies shots given in the belly button?

No, the rabies vaccine has not been given in the stomach since the 1980s. For adults, it should only be given in the deltoid muscle of the upper arm (administration to the gluteal area is NOT recommended, as studies have shown this can result in a less effective immune response).

Do I need a rabies shot if there was a bat in my house?

Yes, you likely need a rabies shot (post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP) if a bat was in your house, especially if anyone was sleeping, a child, or an impaired person was present, or if there was any direct contact (bite, scratch, even waking up with it in the room), because bat bites can be tiny and missed; contact your health department and doctor immediately to arrange for the bat to be tested and to start PEP if exposure is suspected. 

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