The cost of rabies shots for humans varies depending on whether it is for pre- exposure prevention or post-exposure treatment.
- For pre-exposure vaccination (usually 2 doses), the cost ranges from about $800 to $1,300.
- For post-exposure treatment, which includes a full 4-dose protocol plus human rabies immune globulin (HRIG), the cost ranges between $2,500 and $7,000.
The post-exposure treatment is more expensive because it involves multiple doses and additional immune globulin to prevent the almost always fatal disease after exposure. Insurance coverage may vary, often covering post- exposure but not pre-exposure vaccines.
