Shots Needed for South Africa and Madagascar

Old Sep 24th, 2013, 06:43 AM
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Shots Needed for South Africa and Madagascar

Going to South Africa - Zambia - Zimbabwe - Botswana - Namibia and Madagascar - what shots are needed. I had heard I should get the Rabies shot as well - what would you recommend?
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Old Sep 24th, 2013, 01:00 PM
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If you are using a Travel Meds service (we use Passport Health), they will be able to tell you as well. You can find it also on the World Health Organization Site or CDC site.

Yellow Fever is the one that if it is required you will need the Yellow Book proving you have had it or they will probably require it at the border and I am not interested in taking one at the border. Also re-entering your own country can become a problem if you have been to countries where you may have been exposed without the proper inoculations.

We've been to many of those countries and for safety reasons due to our own health concerns, we've had several inoculations that weren't mandatory too.

Our GP won't give travel inoculations anymore, they send you to a travels meds doctor as they (the GP's) aren't usually up-to-date on travel meds. These links should get you started.

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinat...e/South-africa

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinat...er/none/zambia

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinat.../none/Zimbabwe

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinat.../none/Botswana

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinat...r/none/Namibia

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinat...one/Madagascar
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbo...ion-by-country

http://www.who.int/countries/en/
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Old Sep 24th, 2013, 01:08 PM
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Thank you very good response
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Old Sep 24th, 2013, 04:37 PM
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Madagascar and SA require proof of YF vaccination if coming from a country with a risk of YF, which includes Zambia. Whether you're actually asked for the vaccination certificate is anyone's guess, but many will recommend you have the jab to avoid any hassles upon arrival.

The rabies vaccination does not prevent rabies; rather, it extends the time before treatment is started if one should be bitten. Unless you are handling animals (e.g., a vet) or doing some activity that increases your chances of being bitten (e.g., caving) the vaccine is usually not required, If you are doing the usual safari activities, you can do without the vaccination.

Any time you do this kind of trip it's good to make sure you're up to date on the standard shots, e.g., DPT. It's also a good idea to have the Hep A vaccine as that disease can be caught anywhere---worth chatting with your doctor about this one, I think.
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Old Sep 24th, 2013, 05:49 PM
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Ronko, if you live in the states and you return from an area that required a Yellow Fever inoculation and you didn't get it, somehow, you can be quarantined for up to 90 days (I believe it's 90) before allowed to re-enter the country. We got the polio shot as polio is on the rise in some African countries and I believe Zambia is one those. We elected to get Hep A and Hep B (once you get some of these, they are lifetime effective), Yellow Fever, and whooping cough (because I have a pulmonary condition.) We got those over a period of 3 years as they are fairly expensive and we got them according to the urgency based on the country we were entering. In parts of SA, in and around the Kruger NP area, you will be in a high risk area for malaria. You should educate yourself regarding the options on the malaria meds and be aware that Larium does cause some long-term Psychological problems in some people per our travel doctor. Malarone is the one our travel meds doctor recommended. In the high risk area it is worth it IMO and it's not that expensive.
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Old Sep 24th, 2013, 06:58 PM
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As far as I am aware the United States has no requirement for Yellow Fever at all, including when citizens go to countries presenting a risk of YF. Those countries that quarantine usually cite 6 days or so, so I don't know where the 90 days would come from. At any rate, it would be good to see a hard citation on the US using quarantine to keep advice accurate.
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Old Sep 25th, 2013, 11:03 AM
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Yellow Fever not only does NOT exist nor can it live in the Northern Hemishphere, so no concern re quarantine on return to US, Canada, UK, most of Europe. If returning to OZ or (believe) India, YF proof might be required.

But South Africa will require YF and proof on entry from most sub-Saharan countries.

As above, whether traveling or not - every adult should be current with Tetanus (DPT - good for 10/yrs), Hep-A (good for 10/yrs)... both of which can easily be contracted if you never leave home, in fact your own kitchen or yard. Hep-B if for extended stays and planning close contact with local villages, as those working for NGOs, Peace Corp or intending to have unprotected s3x with locals (the latter doubtful, I assume)... but there is a combo HepA/B that should be good for life, though requires a few jabs, not just a single one. Also the Polio Booster, good for life as this disease is showing it's ugly head many areas around the world.

Though the CDC and WHO indicated that YF jab isn't required, it's up to the country visiting to determine whether they say it is and if so, don't fuss and just have it. For now the YF is good for 10/yrs, though possibily for life if/when all the countries who require it eventually sign said agreement that boosters will no longer be required.

Of course, malaria meds - whether Malarone or doxycyline, but both have different costs and protocols as to when to take and for how long once home - varies from 7 to 28/days.

Your personal doc should be able to provide Tetanus, HepA/B and even Polio Boosters as part of your annual 'well-being' exam. I wouldn't mention these are needed for 'travel' rather that you'd like to be 'current' as an adult. Some may even be covered by insurance. Also check with your local/city Public Health Dept, who are likely to have lower costs for these and maybe even have YF. Check all your options.
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Old Sep 25th, 2013, 11:03 AM
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Yellow Fever not only does NOT exist nor can it live in the Northern Hemishphere, so no concern re quarantine on return to US, Canada, UK, most of Europe. If returning to OZ or (believe) India, YF proof might be required.

But South Africa will require YF and proof on entry from most sub-Saharan countries.

As above, whether traveling or not - every adult should be current with Tetanus (DPT - good for 10/yrs), Hep-A (good for 10/yrs)... both of which can easily be contracted if you never leave home, in fact your own kitchen or yard. Hep-B if for extended stays and planning close contact with local villages, as those working for NGOs, Peace Corp or intending to have unprotected s3x with locals (the latter doubtful, I assume)... but there is a combo HepA/B that should be good for life, though requires a few jabs, not just a single one. Also the Polio Booster, good for life as this disease is showing it's ugly head many areas around the world.

Though the CDC and WHO indicated that YF jab isn't required, it's up to the country visiting to determine whether they say it is and if so, don't fuss and just have it. For now the YF is good for 10/yrs, though possibily for life if/when all the countries who require it eventually sign said agreement that boosters will no longer be required.

Of course, malaria meds - whether Malarone or doxycyline, but both have different costs and protocols as to when to take and for how long once home - varies from 7 to 28/days.

Your personal doc should be able to provide Tetanus, HepA/B and even Polio Boosters as part of your annual 'well-being' exam. I wouldn't mention these are needed for 'travel' rather that you'd like to be 'current' as an adult. Some may even be covered by insurance. Also check with your local/city Public Health Dept, who are likely to have lower costs for these and maybe even have YF. Check all your options.
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