For many Filipino families, a simple animal bite can quickly turn into a stressful and costly medical emergency. In the worst cases, it can even lead to death. Recognizing this everyday risk, Maxicare, the country’s leading HMO, has launched the PRIMA Animal Bite Care e-voucher, the country’s first comprehensive animal bite care with built-in insurance.

Recent data from the Department of Health (DOH) show rabies remains a significant concern in the Philippines, with 1,750 fatalities reported between 2020 and 2024. This is particularly timely as the DOH calendar declared March as Rabies Awareness Month. Studies also show about 40 % of rabies deaths occur in children aged 15 years and below, and most cases are linked to bites from domestic dogs, which remain the main source of transmission. Globally, rabies still kills an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 people each year.

For only ₱5,999, the new Maxicare PRIMA Animal Bite Care e-voucher offers the following benefits: two animal bite consultations, wound treatment, four shots of anti-rabies vaccine, an anti-tetanus vaccine and personal accident protection. It can be availed at any of the Maxicare Clinics nationwide, and coverage is for a period of three months, which is more than enough time to complete all necessary reactive vaccinations.

In other words, with this new product, patients with animal bite exposure, regardless of category, can get end-to-end treatment (completion of all necessary vaccines included) at any Maxicare Clinic. Also, in case Maxicare doctors deem that it’s necessary for a patient to be rushed to the emergency room, the built-in insurance coverage of Maxicare PRIMA Animal Bite Care can cover your expenses.

For those wondering, in case you get bitten by a stray animal or your unvaccinated pet, a single trip to the hospital can set you back for up to ₱15,000.

“Especially when it comes to accidents involving animal bites and scratches, the first thing that people think of is the cost that it will entail,” shares Maxicare Group Chief Customer Officer Raymond Hernandez. “Our PRIMA Animal Bite Care e-voucher is here to get rid of that very crucial barrier for you. You can purchase it online for only ₱5,999 at the MaxiHealth Online Store or via the Maxicare Clinics, and use it almost immediately after successful registration and activation. No need to wait hours for a doctor to attend to you, or worrying whether a vaccine is available.”