Rabies Pre-Exposure Vaccine: What Vet Tech Students Should Know

1. Why consider it?

• Protect yourself: Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
• Stay career-ready: Vaccination makes externships smoother and safer.
• Less stress: Fewer restrictions, less paperwork, and more freedom with animals.
• Set the example: Show pet owners the importance of preventive care.

2. Key facts

• Series: 2 doses (Day 0 & Day 7), with future titer checks.
• Cost: $560–$720 total (2 doses).
• Not required for the Penn Foster program, but if unvaccinated, you can’t handle animals without proof of their rabies shots.

3. How to pay for it

• Check insurance coverage with a doctor’s note.
• Ask about discounts & coupons (GoodRx, Passport Health).
• Look into patient assistance programs from vaccine makers.
• See if your employer will reimburse for occupational health.

4. Where to get it

• Doctor’s office (with prescription)
• Pharmacies like Walgreens
• Local hospitals, urgent care, health departments, or travel clinics

5. Did you know?

• 6 people died from rabies in the U.S. in the past year.
• 15 likely outbreaks are being tracked across multiple states.
• Declining pet vaccination rates = higher human exposure risk.

A: As a future veterinary technician, you’ll be working closely with animals everyday- patients who may be frightened, stressed, or unpredictable. While most pets you encounter will be healthy, the reality is that rabies is still present in wildlife and can occasionally spill over into domestic animals. A single bite or scratch from an unvaccinated or infected animal can put you at risk of exposure.

Getting the rabies pre-exposure vaccine is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and your career. Here’s why:

Rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear. The vaccine gives your immune system a head start, ensuring you have protection before an exposure happens. This means faster, more effective treatment if you’re bitten or scratched, and far greater peace of mind.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) classifies veterinary staff as high-risk. By following these guidelines, you’re demonstrating professionalism, responsibility, and commitment to the highest standards of animal and human health.

If you’re not vaccinated, your hands-on opportunities will be limited. You will not be allowed to handle unvaccinated animals at all. On top of that, unvaccinated students face extra paperwork, needing to provide proof of rabies status for every animal they work with. Vaccination removes these barriers, giving you more freedom, less stress, and a smoother externship experience.

An exposure incident without prior vaccination can interrupt your training or work. Pre-exposure vaccination simplifies post-exposure treatment by ensuring fewer shots, less stress, and less interruption to your clinical duties. Staying protected means staying focused on your career goals.

Pet owners look to veterinary teams for guidance on health and safety. When you take preventive measures yourself, you model the importance of responsible care and prevention.

Whether handling a stray cat, assisting in surgery, or working with wildlife rescues, you won’t have to second-guess your safety. With vaccination, you can focus fully on the animals and the team.

Read more: How to Advocate for Yourself as a Vet Tech

A: No. Penn Foster will require students who are not fully vaccinated for rabies to provide proof of current rabies vaccination (rabies certificate or patient medical records with client information redacted) for each animal they handle during an externship skill, however. Animals must be fully vaccinated at the time of handling. As the program’s rabies policy states, students that are not fully vaccinated for human rabies are prohibited from handling animals that are not fully vaccinated for rabies.

Read more: What to Know About the Vet Tech Externships

A: The rabies pre-exposure vaccine series consists of two doses, one at day 0 and a booster at day 7, with titers check as recommended by the CDC guidelines.

Megan Gerik, Penn Foster Client Externship Specialist, found herself in urgent need of the vaccine when she got bit by a bat in her own backyard. Her experience consisted of several shots- the Human Rabies Immunoglobulin (HRIG) shot, a tetanus booster, the pre-exposure vaccine, and 3 booster shots.

Read more: What Do Veterinary Technicians Do? (Certified Vet Techs & Vet Tech Instructors Weigh In)

A: The approximate cost of each vaccination is $280 to $360 per dose, resulting in an overall cost of $560 to $720 for the 2-dose series. The two vaccines that are available are RabAvert (produced by Bavarian Nordic) and IMOVAX rabies vaccine (produced by Sanofi Pasteur).

As outlined in the student catalog, Penn Foster College does not cover the cost or assist with fees for the rabies vaccination. The CDC website has information on patient assistant programs for the underinsured. Students are encouraged to contact their health insurance provider to enquire about coverage.

Here are some tips on how to get the pre-exposure rabies vaccine for humans covered by insurance:

Occasionally, if health insurance will not cover the vaccine, a loophole is to consult your doctor. They can write a prescription or provide a letter justifying the need for the pre-exposure vaccination, which may motivate health insurances to cover a portion, if not the full cost.

When talking with your insurance company, clearly state why the vaccine is medically necessary based on your situation (e.g., specific occupation). Some insurance plans may cover the pre-exposure rabies vaccine if it aligns with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines, which address high-risk individuals.

You can also check your insurance policy on your own. Many health insurance plans do not cover pre-exposure rabies vaccination as a routine vaccine. However, some might, particularly if you are in a high-risk category. You can review your policy documents or contact your insurance provider directly to confirm coverage. It can be helpful to determine if you qualify as high-risk:

The pre-exposure rabies vaccine is typically recommended for individuals with an increased risk of exposure. This includes occupational risk, like veterinary medicine.

Check with your insurance if they will reimburse you if you pay out of pocket. Passport Health, for example, will provide a $50 off coupon to Penn Foster students, but they do not take insurance.

If your insurance doesn't cover the vaccine, inquire about patient assistance programs offered by vaccine manufacturers.

• Sanofi Pasteur’s Patient Assistance Program (providing Imogam® Rabies HT and Imovax® IM) An application form and information about the program can be found at: Sanofi Patient Connection or by telephone at 1-800-822-2463.
• Bavarian Nordic Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program (providing RabAvert®) https://bnvaccines.com or by telephone at 1-844-422-8274.
• Grifols Patient Assistance Program (providing HyperRab™) https://www.hyperrab.com/en/hcp or by telephone 1-833-504-9983
• Other PAPs include:
  • RxAssist
  • Patient Assistance

• GoodRx: Check for discounts or coupons to lower the out-of-pocket cost.
• Appeal the Insurance Decision: If your insurance denies coverage, you may be able to appeal the decision.
• Contact Your Employer: If your need for the vaccine is work-related, ask if they offer reimbursement or have special arrangements.

Read more: Vet Tech Unveiled: Expert Answers to Your Burning Questions

A: You will likely need a prescription from your doctor. You will want to ask your provider if they offer the rabies pre-exposure vaccine, if they follow the ACIP schedule (2 doses – days 0 & 7 for most risk categories), what the cost is, etc. If they don’t have it in stock, you can ask if they know anyone in your area that might.

• Check with local pharmacies. Walgreens often has or can get them
• Local hospitals and Urgent Care centers
• County Health Departments
• Local travel Clinic

When Gerik was bitten by the bat, her only option at the time was the emergency room. For her boosters, she got these administered at a local cancer treatment facility.

A: The CDC supplies some helpful facts to keep in mind as you weigh this decision.

• There have been about six human deaths from rabies in the past 12 months- one of the highest in recent years.
• Experts are tracking 15 likely outbreaks across more than a dozen states.
• Declining pet vaccination rates and increased contact between humans and wildlife are being flagged as contributing factors

The benefits of getting the rabies vaccine can not only make your life as an aspiring vet tech easier, but it can also potentially save it. This reality was not lost on Gerik after her experience with the bat. “Had I already had my pre-exposure rabies vaccine, I would not have had to receive the HRIG injection. My body would also have already established an immunity to combat rabies if I was exposed to it in the future. I also would have had the option to have a titer test performed to see what my immunity was.”

When you work closely with animals, the convenience and peace of mind this vaccination can supply may mean everything. “For anyone who is going to be at an increased risk of sustaining bites or coming into contact of any kind with wildlife or animals with no known vaccine status, I highly encourage you to pursue your pre-exposure rabies vaccine.” Gerik continues, “Your health and peace of mind are worth protecting!”

Learn more about the Penn Foster Veterinary Technician Program and determine if this career path is right for you.