Immunization for E. Africia
 

I'm new to this so please be kind...... Could I please have your recommendations for immunization for East Africa? Or any other recommendations. We live in Florida and will be touring with OAT Feb 24,2009.

Thanks in advance,
Bob

A great time for the Serengeti.

Best bet is a travel clinic for up to date info.

CDC has this
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationKenya.aspx

http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationTanzania.aspx

You wouldn't need rabies for your trip, which CDC mentions in some cases.

East Africa threads on your question
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34941559

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34549706

Malaria pill discussions
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35122468

I used to take Larium with zero side effects. Recent info and a doctor recommendation made me switch to Malarone, also zero side effects. There are several choices you may wish to discuss with your own doctor.

Have a good time.

Thank you

Are you doing OAT's Kenya/Tanzania trip, or the Tanzania-only "Safari Serengeti"?

Safari Serengeti

Has anyone out there gone to Tanzania with a tour group that has ‘NOT” taken the shots for yellow fever, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, and malaria pills? It is not required and I have a ‘VERY” tuff time with medication.

just remember that yellow fever is required if you are entering tanzania from say kenya (not if you are flying straight in from the states)

bcalvary,

We went on that same trip with 2 friends in June, 2008 and had a marvelous time. OAT uses Kibo Guides in Tanzania and they did a superb job of taking care of us.

A Yellow Fever vaccination is required for entry into Tanzania. The requirement was reinstated Jan., 2008. Get your immunizations ASAP & be sure to put your International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Fever booklet) with your passport so you don't forget it.

I wish you wonderful travels.

Linda

bcalvary, just remember that asking what is legally required and what is medically advisable are two totally different questions.

If you 'have a tough time with medication', you might have an even tougher time if you actually get one of the illnesses. A good travel doctor can help you weigh the pros and cons of each immunization, based not only on the countries you are going to, but on your actual itinerary, the time of year, and your personal health history.

While many vaccinations are simply for your consideration, for your own protection, yellow fever is the one that might be required in that it is necessary not for this visit to Africa, but once you have been there, in order to go somewhere else you have to be able to prove you had the vaccination before so that you didn't bring the disease home with you to pass on to others there or in other countries you may want to visit in the future. Check the CDC website which explains in detail and explains also how you may obtain a waiver under certain conditions for health, age, etc. www.cdc.gov.

Yellow Fever innoculation IS now required for all visitors to Tanzania, as Linda states, even if arriving from the US via Amsterdam. Malaria prophylactics are a definite "must", as well. You could probably get by without the others, but it's not advisable. Because you get the shots, etc. in advance, you'll be over any aftereffects by the time of your trip (in other words, start now.) Find a travel clinic and talk to them about it. They are often affiliated with local hospitals.

You'll enjoy the safari. Kibo does a great job. If you have Allen, Peter, John (JB), Godliving or Nickson as guides, say "Hi" from Sharon!

As ShayTay says, consult a
As to Kibo guides, if you have Athumani or Astrick, please give them my best. They were teriffic!!
Linda

Only Yellow Fever shots are required for Tanzania (not for Kenya). I recommend all (except rabies). Most shots can be administered by your family doctor and may be covered under your health insurance plan. Some doctors will work with you. Travel Medicine certified doctors are the only ones who can give you Yellow Fever and Typhoid shots. Don't forget your Malaria pills which you begin to take just before you leave. Also recommend mosquito repellent (over the counter "OFF"). The later is a great repellent, but no substitute for malaria pills (Malerone). Of course, check out any of this advice with you primart physician.

In Jan 2008, Tanzania reinstated YF inoculation ONLY if arriving from a YF endemic area. Kenya is one such area, Amsterdam is not, nor is the US, Canada, Western Europe.

However, if visiting Tanzania for safari and then heading to Zanzibar for beach, even if you did not require the YF inoc for the safari segment, YOU DO require YF for entry to Zanzibar.

Those are the changes and I haven't seen any update since.

Another point, as mentioned... YF is good to have had if having been in East Africa (Kenya or Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda) are then heading off to places as South Africa or Seychelles Islands... better have the inoc and proof of same or you won't be allowed entry. I'm sure there are other countries that may also require the YF inoc for entry.

As adults, who haven't been inoculated since childhood, it doesn't hurt to be current in our later years. But do know that it's just as easy to get Hep A and Tetanus even if not leaving home. Don't toss these off lightly without proper consultation.

Bob, check with a tropical diseases specialist or travel clinic for details as they relate to your situation and health history. Some inocs are suggested, others may be manditory.

There may not be an "official" requirement for YF if coming from the US via Amsterdam, but they still wanted to see my YF Certificate at Kilimanjaro Airport. I think other travelers have experienced this, as well... best to get it and forestall any problems at the airport.

i just went on my first trip this past september. i hesitated to get the "non required" vaccinations, then went back to the public health service and got everything (except rabies.)

i was so glad that i did! knowing that i was protected allowed me to totally relax at airports and on the trip. as ann pointed out, it would be far worse to contract these diseases...my vote is that you roll up your sleeves.

I would consult the website for the embassies of any country you're planning to visit to see what immunizations, if any, are required. I'm going to Ethiopia in a few weeks and a yellow fever shot is required to get a visa at the airport. Also, you may want to visit a local travel clinic because they can tell you what is required and what is recommended. Keep in mind, though, that the clinics will offer you MANY more vaccinations than what is required for entry. The docs there are usually good about helping you to assess your risks in accordance with places you expect to visit and things you expect to do. Good luck!

Your local county health department also has immunization information, which they get from the CDC. They are also quite a bit cheaper than a health clinic.

I got all the shots I could before going to Tanzania in September--hep A and B, yellow fever, typhoid, meningitis, even the flu shot--either at my Travel Clinic or Visiting Nurses. I took malarone, but late in the trip and for a week afterward, I had stomach issues (the run to the bathroom really fast kind) and during the last week (at home) I had muscle weakness and anorexia (the anorexia I could live with). I also can't take statins--don't know if there is any relationship here. Some on my trip were taking doxycycline as a malaria preventative. I might consider that for my next trip.

Diane, The symptoms you describe are consistant with Traveler's diarrhea and not normal or typical with Malarone. Untreated TD generally lasts about a week. Women generally don't do well on doxy so I would discuss this with your doctor before your next trip.
Chuck

Chuck--you must be a doctor--my doctor tested me for every parasite possible--nothing. Maybe he should have just read the prescribing information:

"All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Malarone:

Diarrhea; difficulty sleeping; dizziness; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting; weakness."

Here in the Chicago area you cannot get yellow fever shots from most regular doctors and have to go to a specialized travel clinic.(Last year there was a massive shortage of the single shots so one had to wait for "4 dear friends" to join you within 2-3 hours to share the vial.)Other shots like Japanese Encephelitis,Rabies,etc. would need to be ordered ahead or gotten at a travel clinic.
If you are leaving within 3 weeks I hope that you have started on them?Have a great trip!