A good reminder that rabies is out there & that a person should be cautious:

https://www.weau.com/2020/08/12/bat-tests-positive-for-rabies-in-chippewa-county/

Hadn't seen that AJE. Thanks for the heads up.

It'd be interesting to know what % of folks on here get the vaccine.

Forgive me for poking my nose into you peoples business. I know absolutely nothing about the USA health care / Insurance systems.

But, it absolutely horrifies me when I see ~ as I have done ~ news reports to the effect of: " Farmer Dan was chewed on by a creature that came out of no where and acted uncharacteristically. Dan's wife told our reporter; 'Dan says he'll wait and see what transpires, before shelling out on the anti shots. He doesn't have insurance.' "

And I'm like; Wow!!! Rabies, Dan?!

Last time I checked the local urgent care clinic wanted about $3600 for the pre-exposure shots and said insurance didnt cover because it was preemptive. Guess I'll burn the arm off instead.

Oh My .....!!! That is just mind bending!

Thanks for that input, 44. I hope I can remember that, next time I'm able to sit in a pub and say to a mate; " Ye know, in America, if ye get bitten by a rabid creature ..... "

That is just So scary!

Pest, you are talking two very different things here with 44. I think you were referring to the shots received AFTER being bitten. 44 is referring to shots received before being bitten. Big difference in availability and price. Ol farmer Dan as you say would get rabies shots without any issue at the local health department, muchh much cheaper than the pre-bite vaccine. Sorry, but I think you are doling out some fake news as people over here arent sitting around waiting to die from rabies because they cant get or afford the shots. Please provide your source for such nonsense

I’ve had the post exposure shots (aka, moron not watching what he’s doing shots) If I remember right my insurance got all but $300 of it. The first post exposure shot is the most expensive (rabies immune globulin) I was allowed to skip it. If I remember right they told me it was 3k. The next 3 were just a regular vaccine costing around $800 total.

I got the Pre Exposure Vaccines back in the early 90s when I started my animal nuisance control business.I have had one series of "Booster" shots since then.They can tell if your antibodies are still up to snuff by doing a Titers test.

dropping vaccine baits north of me in NY because of several positive cases lately.

Rabies is not rare in wild animals. Bats, raccoons and skunks are the main carriers. Go south into mexico and dogs are a much more common carrier. People apparently don't immunize their pets much down there, and of course there are alot of feral dogs as well. Your county health officer would be able to tell you which species is the min carrier in your area.

Looked into pre exposure shots this trapping season after I had an accident and had to wait for test results. The pre exposure shots where around $800 from the county health department. That was total, me paying the full cost for 2 rounds. I'll be getting them before next season.

I was wondering about that. I didn't think rabies was uncommon. But I also didn't know there was a pre-rabies vaccine.

I went and got the shots after cutting my hand while skinning. With insurance, the trip the ER and all the shots cost me $500.

Now, if I cut myself or get exposed again, I can just go to the health department and get two follow up shots and I am good to go.

Money well spent imo.

I don’t remember for sure, but at one time did GA make you get a shot before trapping? This would’ve been in the early 80’s maybe late 70’s.

I got shots via workers comp years ago after getting bit by a critical pet who we had hospitalized. That is what many technicians call the Golden Ticket; otherwise it is very difficult and expensive to obtain the vaccines for some reason. They’ll shove the Covid vaccine down your throat, but a fatal virus for a high exposed worker?? Nah

I got post exposure shots after a valentines day coyote bite this year. We have pretty decent insurance and it ended up being $500. I also figured this is pretty cheap insurance in the event I get bit again since I would consider myself fairly high risk. The health department was pretty upset when I wouldnt give up the coyote, but I figured it just made sense to go ahead and get the shots

Any Veteran registered in the VAMC can get the shots free or at very low cost. If they give you crap, consult a Vet Rep and tell them you "Handle wild animals, and NEED the shots".

Tell us the story on how that happened....

I know it wasn't because of the choke stick door slots on that trailer or transport cage...lol