debbie

will be in istanbul for several days in late May. Unclear whether shots are highly recommended or not: hep. A, typhoid, tetanus booster. CDC site wasn't clear to me. thanks.

Ariel

I go every year to Turkey (from Canada) and took my baby this past summer. I checked it out the first time I wnet and again for my baby and was told by my doctor & her's that no extra shots are needed, so long as you have your regular shots. FYI - it is not a good idea for a foreigner to eat the fish off the boats on the Bospherous (as those fish come out of that water, and it is not clean). Don't drink the tap water. Buy bottled water and in restuarants have them open the bottle in front of you. I have never had a problem with any food (i.e. salad) washed in the tap water though, or brushing my teeth with it. Enjoy, it is a really amazing place!

Mike

I had a couple of great fish sandwiches off the boats and suffered no ill effects. Amazing how rumors like this spread.

Ariel

That warning came from my Turksih husband, who lived in Istanbul for most of his life. He won't eat them now.

M&J

Debbie-we went to Istanbul and no shots were required. It is a fantastic city and if you want some suggestions, let us know. <BR>

George Holt

You don't need shots for Turkey, inasmuch as they are not required, especially if you're only there for a few days business or a weekend break. DO drink bottled water or you'll spend your short break in the lav. <BR> <BR>As a keen traveller I like to keep up a small suite of vaccinations along the lines you suggest. These jabs may sound paranoid but they give me the peace of mind to jet off virtually anywhere I like in Europe, the near east and North Africa any time I like. <BR> <BR>I don't bother with a cholera jab as its short lived and not very effective. After the initial bang of a typhoid jab the boosters now only give me a sore arm for a few hours. I had a course of Havrix for hepatitis, it was something like two jabs six months apart then its good for ten years. I've also been keeping up rabies jabs, they won't apparently prevent rabies but they'll give you some breathing space.

Joseph

Before going to Africa, I was paranoid and decided to get the yellow fever shot 3 weeks before my trip as my friends told me to be safe, not sorry. It was my like, I caught a case of the yellow fever, here in the US from the immunization,which is rare, but can occasionally happen. I had to cancel my trip. NEVER AGAIN!!!!!

dave

NO SHOTS required. <BR> <BR>(just got back from TURKEY Sept-00) <BR> <BR>I took tetnus and typhoid but realized i shouldn't have. It's a modern city like Europe. <BR> <BR>But Tetnus is always good to have a booster. It's easy and no side effect. You don't want tetnus as I saw my father suffer thru it even in Canada. So as a precaution get the tetnus whether you travel or not. <BR> <BR>Pass on the Typhoid. <BR> <BR>The stay away from the water. Should cost 200,000 to 250,000 TL (30cents US) for a big bottle of water. some places charge 500,000 to 1 Mill for it. So beware!!!! <BR> <BR>the fish sandwich is good (750,000 TL - or $1.20 US) . But go to the busier boat to ensure freshness. Lots of bones in the sandwich - mackeral fish (near ferry docks) <BR> <BR>Be careful when going to restaurants as there are TOURIST prices and local price <BR>If it's tourist price either walk away or bargain off the menu price. They will give you 20%-30% off the menu simply by saying that's too expensive, no thanks. <BR> <BR>Std price of mezes (appetizers) should be 500,000 to 750,000 TL (under $1 US) <BR>I've seen them posted for 2-3 times that price in touristy places. Main courses should be 1 Mill to 2 mill TL <BR>($2-4 US). Watch the bill as they sometimes overcharge you or also bring things you didn't order. Nothing is free!!!! <BR> <BR>Enjoy

Mary

Istanbul is a wonderful city. We took our teen age grand daughter with us and we all had a wonderful time. We were part of a large group and no one got sick except the one girl who bought food on the street. Bottled water is everywhere. The food was wonderful, especially the mezzas or apetitizers.

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Marty

I know this is too late for you, but others might be interested, I feel that anyone going out of the country should be up to date on at least a few shots, you really should have all the hepititus shots A/B/C and a tetnus(sp?) booster if you haven't had one in a while. Typhoid was one that I'd be surprised you'd need for Turkey.

kelly

As far as I know there is no Hep C vaccination... <BR> <BR>I don't know why everyone doesn't get the Hep A vac no matter if they are traveling or not as you can get this disease anywhere, yes, even in the US...