RHDV2 Vaccination for Rabbits: Schedule, Cost & Availability

RHDV2 is not known to infect people, but it can be devastating for rabbits and some hares. USDA APHIS describes mortality rates ranging from 50% to 100%, and Merck Veterinary Manual notes outbreaks can move quickly with very limited warning signs. Some rabbits are found deceased without any obvious illness beforehand.

Vaccination does not replace biosecurity, but it adds an important layer of protection. Indoor housing, hand washing, shoe control, insect reduction, and avoiding contact with unfamiliar rabbits still matter. For many households, the best plan is a combination of vaccination plus practical exposure reduction.

For rabbits starting from scratch, the commonly used U.S. schedule is dose 1, then dose 2 in 21 days. Medgene's FAQ states the vaccine should be fully protective 14 days after the second dose. If your rabbit is overdue, some clinics may recommend restarting the two-dose series, while others may advise a single booster depending on timing and local protocols. That decision should come from your vet.

For ongoing protection, many U.S. rabbit groups and clinics now advise an annual booster. Some clinics use more cautious timing in higher-risk settings, but the exact interval can vary by local outbreak status, boarding exposure, rescue intake, and your rabbit's lifestyle. If you board, foster, show, or travel with your rabbit, ask your vet whether they want the booster scheduled before those events.

Medgene reports the vaccine has demonstrated safety in rabbits 7 weeks and older. If you have a very young rabbit, your vet can help you time the first dose around age, stress, and any other needed care.

Pregnant and nursing rabbits need a more individualized conversation. Medgene states a full safety study in pregnant and nursing animals has not yet been performed. Rabbits who are ill, recovering from surgery, or medically fragile may still be candidates for vaccination, but the timing may need to be adjusted. This is one of the most important reasons to involve a rabbit-savvy vet rather than relying on a general schedule alone.

Most rabbits tolerate the vaccine well. According to Medgene's FAQ, expected reactions are usually mild and may include a small swelling at the injection site, a slight temporary fever, or being tired for a few hours after the visit.

Call your vet if your rabbit seems very painful, stops eating, has marked swelling, develops breathing changes, or acts significantly abnormal after vaccination. Rabbits can decline quickly when they stop eating, even if the original issue is mild.

In current U.S. practice, a realistic cost range is about $40-$75 per dose at many rabbit clinics or vaccine events. Examples from rabbit organizations and clinic lists include $60 per dose at a 2025 House Rabbit Network clinic, $50 each shot on a New Mexico rabbit vet list, and $45-$48 for a 1-year vaccine entry at some New Mexico practices. Some rescue-run clinics advertise package totals around $90 for the initial two-shot series, while full appointment-based care may cost more if an exam, medical record review, or additional services are included.

Availability is better than it was a few years ago. USDA APHIS lists Medgene's rabbit hemorrhagic disease vaccine product summary, and rabbit organizations report that single-dose vials became more available in mid-2025, which helps smaller practices stock the vaccine without wasting multi-dose bottles. Even so, not every clinic carries it routinely. You may need to call ahead, ask whether your vet sees rabbits regularly, and confirm whether they offer the vaccine during standard appointments or only on designated rabbit vaccine days.

Start by calling your regular rabbit clinic and asking whether they stock the Medgene RHDV2 vaccine. If they do not, ask whether they can order it, refer you to a nearby exotics practice, or direct you to a local rabbit rescue or House Rabbit Society partner clinic.

When you call, ask practical questions: whether your rabbit needs a full exam first, whether the clinic offers single-rabbit appointments or only group vaccine events, what the total cost range will be for the first visit and the booster, and what proof of vaccination you will receive for boarding or travel. That can save time and avoid surprises.