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how to avoid yellow fever vaccinations to liberia africa

how to avoid yellow fever vaccinations to liberia africa

Old Jun 23rd, 2013, 03:44 PM
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how to avoid yellow fever vaccinations to liberia africa

I have spent the last 8 years cleansing and healing my body...finally I am in great health!!! We have been trying to get pregnant during that time also. My husband's job has recently decided to relocate us to liberia Africa...I am broken hearted and starting to feel defeated...I am completely against getting the yellow fever vaccine...I know it will affect my hormones, my reproductive system, my endocrine system, and everything I have been doing to be healthy for a baby. I want to get pregnant and I don't want this vaccine to be in my system at all...I feel that I owe it to my sweet future baby. I am more afraid of getting the vaccine than getting the disease itself to be honest. I have been reading about forms and waivers...I am willing to fight for this with everything I have! My fear is that what I provide won't be enough...that they won't let me in the country or out of the states. It seems that I am being fought on every side. Please help...
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Old Jun 23rd, 2013, 04:44 PM
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I've never heard of the Yellow Fever vaccination being negotiable or avoidable. I have had it and understood that if you don't have it and you go to a Yellow Fever high risk area, you most likely will be quarantined upon re-entry into the states and if you were to try entry into some other countries. What I read said the quarantine was 90 days. It's best to check with a reliable travel meds office. I'd think that the risk of Yellow Fever would be worse than the vaccination, but then everyone has to make their own decision unless it's required.

http://www.who.int/topics/yellow_fever/en/
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Old Jun 23rd, 2013, 04:44 PM
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Often the yellow fever vaccination is required to enter another country when leaving from a zone where the infection is endemic, not to enter the area. Do check on that.

While not the same as entering a country, I recently was booked on a freighter that was going through the Suez Canal and the shipping company required a yellow fever certificate. I was told by the agent that it could be avoided by supplying a form from my doctor saying that for health reasons (not specified) the vaccination was contraindicated. So I was able to proceed without the vaccination. You may find that something of the kind would work for you. So do more research with that possibility in mind.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2013, 05:10 PM
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Here is something I thought might help you.

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbo...l/yellow-fever

If you were sick and taking medicine, I think there is a form for your doctor to complete, but since you aren't sick, I don't really think that would work, but you could ask. Scroll down on the page and you will find this form.
Figure 3-02. Medical Contraindication to Vaccination section of the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP)
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Old Jun 24th, 2013, 10:28 AM
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This has to be discussed with a Tropical Diseases Specialist in consultation with your OB doc to determine whether you qualify for the 'waiver.'

However, if you do - you'll have to be very cautious about the possibily of contracting this disease anytime during your stay in Liberia. Even if some areas are 'safe' remember that mossies carrying any number of diseases, do fly and one never knows if/when you're bitten, that upon 'any' symptoms of any kind out of the ordinary - learn ahead of time all possible ones - have to be addressed immediaitely.

This of course, doesn't mean that people in these countries don't have healthy babies, but then you have to be aware of protecting the little one from any other mossie-carrying diseases, malaria especially which kills millions worldwide yearly.

Good luck!
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Old Jun 24th, 2013, 11:43 AM
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Don't take this wrong, but wouldn't contracting yellow fever be a far worse outcome for your health, your ability go get pregnant and the health of any future offspring?

This is off getting yellow fever is far worse than any impact from the vaccine. If it wasn't, the vaccine would have never been created.
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Old Jun 24th, 2013, 01:40 PM
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Have you asked your husband's employer to reconsider, given your medical concerns?
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Old Jun 24th, 2013, 01:58 PM
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Of course getting yellow fever is the worst case scenario. But the question was how to avoid the vaccination. One doesn't need to "qualify" for the waiver in any way to get it. Your doctor just needs to sign it. Mine did and yours will too. There is no specific requirement so just do it if you feel as strongly as you seem to about it.
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Old Jun 24th, 2013, 04:34 PM
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Yes, but she also has to worry about malaria. Liberia is host to chloroquine-resistant strains, so she'll need at least two drugs. Hepatitis A& B would also be advised. Given her aversion to vaccines and drugs, I really think West Africa is best avoided. I'm of the school which thinks the drugs are safer than the disease, but I think OP may not be, and of course pregnancy changes considerations yet again.
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Old Jun 24th, 2013, 05:17 PM
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"...I really think West Africa is best avoided."

There's no arguing with that. But her mind seems to be made up, she hasn't said anything that indicates she's considering that option nor has she come back to enlighten us. But there does seem to be a gap between the facts and the OP's philosophy so it'll be interesting to know if that can somehow be bridged. I can't see a solution but I'd love to hear her thoughts.
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Old Jun 25th, 2013, 10:01 AM
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I am so grateful for all of your responses! I have just been researching and researching, praying, thinking, debating...all of it. I am doing all my due diligence to be educated when I make my decision. Yes, I agree that getting the diseases would be horrific and that is my husband's greatest fear for me not getting vaccinated. On the other hand, my immune system is incredibly strong...but I don't want to be of the mindset that I am 'immortal' or that mosquitos wouldn't bite me. So my thoughts are that even if a doctor signed the waiver, my husband's company said they will not allow me to go...so I am getting in contact with the actual person who makes that call to at least talk with them and find out my options. If I were in fact able to get into the country with the waiver...say it all worked...I would need to have every possible form of protection necessary...all the repellant, clothing, everything to protect myself. I have weighed those options also...will the vaccine affect my fertility and my ability to have children? Will it put my body back into a stressed out and inflamed state? I am actually afraid of the vaccination and its effects on my body.
Staying behind while my husband goes on to work there would absolutely break my heart...and his.
So I am still getting all the information I can...I don't want to make a decision out of pride...but I also don't want to do something simply because 'everyone does it', or because someone 'said so.'. I owe it to my health and my future babies to make the right choice. Thank you all so very much!
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Old Jun 26th, 2013, 02:04 PM
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How long is hubby to be assigned in Liberia?
Do you have to get pregnant within the time you'd both be there? If not, then postpone it, assuming age isn't an issue or any difficulties previously trying.

Good reminder above that besides YF, there are other inocs adult travelers should be current with (some even if never leaving home), so you have to consider - Tetanus, HepA/B, Polio booster, Typhoid (jab or tabs), others.

You've got lots to seriously consider.
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