jscott646

Hi- is it necessary to have a yellow fever shot if travelling from Kenya to Tanzania and back to Kenya?

Thanks, Jim

Elizabeth_S

The Tanzanian High Commission in Canada says it is a requirement for all passengers transiting in East Africa - and when we were there in January (from Nairobi) we were asked for our Vaccination confirmation

Comment on the second page of this document

http://www.tzrepottawa.ca/pages/visa_app_read_only1.pdf

sandi

Transiting from Kenya to Tanzania, YF inoc and proof of same is required.
Transiting from Tanzania to Kenya, YF inoc and proof of same is required.

So yes, you need YF for entry to both from the other.

spassvogel

We have the inoccucaltion and we were asked for our vaccination card.
YES it's mandatory and makes you feel secure in that regards.
It's just a painless shot but should be gotten a couple of weeks prior to departure in case your body reacts.

SV

P_M

spassvogel, for me the shot itself was painless but my arm was swollen and sore for a week. I had to put an ice pack on it to keep the swelling down. Good suggestion to get the shot well in advance of your trip.

jscott, please do not let my post scare you. Those minor side effects beat the crap out of getting yellow fever. Have a great trip.

atravelynn

None of the shots I've gotten have ever been as bad as stubbing my toe or bumping into furniture. I hurt myself far worse on accident than the travel docs ever do.

Percy

You might not get asked for the proof of the Yellow Fever Vaccination,...BUT, if it is a requirement ( and it is),then get the "shot"

Some people gamble and do not get the Yellow Fever vaccine, bad move , you only have to lose the gamble once to have your total holiday spoiled !!

P_M

Yellow Fever is a deadly disease and I do not understand why some people gamble with their lives by not getting the shot. The consequences of not getting the shot can go way beyond having your holiday spoiled.

stamiya

If you have a medical reason for not getting the shot, you can get a waiver from the embassy, I'm told.

sandi

Not necessary to get "waiver from Embassy" - they don't know you from a hill of beans. All that is required is a note from your physician on their letterhead stipulating reason "why not!" For those over age 60-65, the CDC doesn't recommend this jab, and where the letter will suffice.

stamiya

thanks for the info, Sandi. It will be a lot easier to get a letter from the Dr. than a waiver from an embassy. Re: the over 65 recommendation, is that what the Dr's letter should say (i.e., CDC doesn't recommend vaccination for those over 65)?

skibumette

It IS safe to get the Yellow Fever vaccine after age 60-65 IF/IF you've ever had it before at any time in your life. The age-related risks are only if you are receiving it for the first time.

But age (even for first timers) is not an absolute contraindication -- it's always a case of risk vs. benefits. (If you're traveling to West Africa after age 65, you need the YF vaccine regardless of age risks...or you need to re-think your trip.)

For Kenya and Tanzania our travel clinic often gives exemption letters (stapled in the WHO yellow book) for 65+ travelers who haven't had the vaccine before. HOWEVER anyone traveling with an exemption letter needs to be EXTRA vigilant about insect precautions: regular insect repellant use, long sleeves/pants, screens/bed nets, etc.

Radarjet

Skibumette,

What does your clinic recommend re Yellow Fever vaccine for those who have a weakened immune system ie on immunosupression following a kidney transplant - Would it be ok to have it ?

Thanks

Percy

I do not think a person with a weakened immune systems would receive the vaccine.

However, a factor would be the type, frequency and dose of any immunosuppression medication you are taking.

How long since the Kidney Transplant?

What side effects are you already experiencing from the "anti-rejection" medication.

This is truly very good reason to talk to the Kidney Transplant doctor.

When you receive the Yellow Fever vaccine, you are receiving a live "weakened" virus ,or at least part of the protein coat of the virus.

This weakened virus ( Antigen) now forces your immune system to make Antibodies against this Antigen.

But your immune system is already compromised, so how effectively can you respond by making antibodies.!!

There are too many things I do not know about the Kidney Transplant situation to give you and intelligent answer.

sandi

Radarjet - Discuss with your physician as it relates to your specific situation.

tinydancer

Radarjet - when you talk to your doctor about the Yellow Fever vaccine, also ask about getting a Cholera vaccine. Our doctor who will be giving us the YF, suggested Cholera too, saying that it will prevent us from getting diarrhea too. When we went to Egypt, people with compromised immune systems, i.e. having had treatment for cancer, had the worst cases of diarrhea from all the rest of us.

spassvogel

There came different things up here which by due respect have to evaluated seperately.

- if having a immune system issue due to a kidney transplant why on earth would anybody jeopardize facing any additional thread by either getting the vaccination or reaction to the latter?
A safari is not a must have experience. Maybe postpone to a later stage when conditions have changed for the better.

- since when is Cholera the same as diarrhea? Simply coal tablets or immodium would have been sufficient. Why should a sane human being shot a sparling with a cannon?

Some thoughts are really weird...............

Here you find WHO info:
http://www.who.int/vaccine_safety/to...ever_dec03.pdf

But be aware - whatever statement has been given by WHO - the advisory board is dominated by heads of pharmaceutical companies ;-)

SV

TigerPhotog

Hahahaha . Spassvogel thx the for laughs, Agreed !

TigerPhotog

oops --> the for..duh "for the"

tinydancer

You are free to think whatever you will. But if the specialist vaccination/travel clinic recommends YF, I tend to take their advice. The ones we go to are not prone to exaggeration. And it's good for 10 years anyway. But thanks for the comment!