Hepatitis B vaccine provides an effective way to prevent the occurrence of viral infections.
A vaccine is an injectable formulation, whose primary aim is to make the immune system resistant against an infection. Vaccines make our defense mechanism capable enough to thwart a specific infection. A vaccine does an excellent job of protecting our body from falling ill due to a viral or a bacterial attack.
As the name implies, hepatitis B vaccine is formulated to make our body immune to the hepatitis B virus. Upon exposure to hepatitis B virus, it can cause considerable damage to the liver. This liver infection, in people with a weak immune system, can be serious and may trigger complications like liver failure or liver cirrhosis. Poor appetite, nausea and vomiting are some common hepatitis B symptoms. All these health problems can be avoided if one receives this vaccine. Even though people are aware of the advantages of receiving this vaccine, very few know about its cost. It is discussed below.
Cost
The hepatitis B vaccine series primarily comprises 3 doses that are given intravenously. However, all three injections are not given immediately one after another. As per the hepatitis B vaccine schedule, the first dose can be administered at any time, but the second dose is separated by a time period of minimum 30 days from the initial dosage. On the other hand, the third injection is separated by a time period of at least 6 months from the first dosage.
So, what is the cost of taking this 3 shot hepatitis B vaccine series? Well, for children, every injection will cost around $40-45. So, one will have to pay around $120 to take all the 3 doses of the vaccine. Adults will have to fork out slightly more, in order to get vaccinated. A bit costly, isn’t it? However, our health is certainly more valuable than the money spent on getting vaccination. A point to note, the vaccine cost does not include consultation or appointment fees of the doctor. Charges of administering the dose are also not included in the vaccine cost. One may have to pay these additional charges every time one visits the clinic for vaccination. In such cases, hepatitis B vaccination cost may increase to approximately $70-75 for every dose.
What about those who are insured? Do insurance companies bear the cost of this vaccine? Most probably, yes! If your child is insured, you can get your child vaccinated without paying a single penny. In other words, the vaccine cost for infants and children is likely to be nil, if medical expenses are covered by health insurance. If you are a parent, with no insurance and looking for an inexpensive way to vaccinate your children, then look for government managed public health clinics in your locality. At these places, vaccinations are done at a very reasonable cost. Adults have to shell out money from their own pocket for vaccination, as health insurance companies usually do not bear the expenses for adults.
Side Effects
Although it is safe to administer this vaccine on infants and children, many people ask “Are there any side effects”? Many refrain from taking vaccines, and the reason they site is side effects. Fortunately, the side effects of this vaccine are not at all worrisome and usually cause a localized reaction. The site where the injection is administered may appear swollen and red. For a few days, the injected site might appear sore and slightly painful to touch. However, with yeast being an important constituent of hepatitis B, people who are allergic to yeast need to avoid receiving this vaccine.
Hepatitis B vaccination for infants and children is very important to protect them from this deadly virus. The cost of hepatitis B should not deter you from getting vaccinated. As hepatitis B can cause a life-threatening infection, it is to best to receive this vaccination at the earliest.
