You can definitely get the rabies vaccine especially if traveling on what not. May not be covered by insurance.

What they do limit is the immunoglobulin shot — that is very hard to manufacture (I think it’s developed from horses antibodies or something) and is used in large quantities based on patient weight. That’s why the gatekeep.

You can get the full course for under $100 OTC in Thailand. Even with travel it will be considerably less expensive than in the USA (think around $7k, although maybe slightly less without the immunoglobin) unless your insurance is exceptional.

> than in the USA (think around $7k

Try $300 to 400 without insurance [1]. It's free with most insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare Part D.

[1] https://www.goodrx.com/rabavert

You need 5 to 7 doses to be safe.

yeah the cost of the rabies vaccine is insane, especially given that it was one of the first vaccines discovered