Medication prior to our East African trip in July
Feb 5th, 2007, 12:54 AM
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Medication prior to our East African trip in July
My husband and I just got cleared and am leaving for a 15 day East African safari tour of Tanzania & Keyna in July, 2007. Can someone give us a breakdown of what immunizations and medications I need to take prior to leaving. And the timing of when I need to start them. Thanks.
Feb 5th, 2007, 05:47 AM
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Stephanie,
My husband and I just got our immunizations last week for our trip to Kenya and Tanzania in August. The total cost of the doctor visit was about $700 for both of us, and that was WITH our insurance pitching in (we have Blue Cross/Blue Shield). Each shot was charged separately, but then there was an administrative fee for injecting each one (about $10 each). The cost for a new patient "work-up" at the travel doctor (ours is an infectious disease specialist) was $70 each (not covered by insurance at all, but included in my $700 total above).
Of course, we got the yellow fever vaccine (that alone was $100 per person), as well as typhoid, polio, DPT (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis), and hepatitis A. We are returning for hepatitis B this week--initially, we didn't feel that we needed it, but have changed our minds because it provides lifetime protection. (The Hep A and B are done in a series of 2 or 3 shots each, done 6 months apart, to provide that lifetime protection.) Yellow fever, tetanus (DPT), and typhoid were good for 10 years, I think. We chose the injectible polio over the pills, even though the injection only lasts 3-5 years and the pills last 5-7 due to some stomach problems that I have, and the injection seemed safer for me. Yellow fever was the only mandatory one (although I couldn't even get a clear answer on that--some website say it is, some say it is not), but the others just seemed like a wise idea. And as our doctor said, after the Hep A shot, we can eat at Taco Bell as often as we like without any problems!! I just mean that it will be useful in everyday life, not just with travelling. We did not choose to get the meningococcal meningitis vaccine, although I'm wondering now if we shouldn't after all. They seem to be giving it to college students nowadays, so it must be relatively safe.
We also got a prescription for Malarone. We chose that over some other options (e.g., Lariam, Chloroquine) due to less side effects (and the Chloroquinine wouldn't apply to us with where we are visiting in Africa), even though Malarone is more expensive and you must take it daily (I think Lariam you only take once a week). You begin taking one Malarone pill per day one day prior to departure and then continue through the trip and one week following your return.
I found my doctor by looking at the CDC website for an authorized yellow fever immunization center, and went from there. Not everyone is certified to give that particular shot, so it was necessary for that to be our starting point.
My husband and I just got our immunizations last week for our trip to Kenya and Tanzania in August. The total cost of the doctor visit was about $700 for both of us, and that was WITH our insurance pitching in (we have Blue Cross/Blue Shield). Each shot was charged separately, but then there was an administrative fee for injecting each one (about $10 each). The cost for a new patient "work-up" at the travel doctor (ours is an infectious disease specialist) was $70 each (not covered by insurance at all, but included in my $700 total above).
Of course, we got the yellow fever vaccine (that alone was $100 per person), as well as typhoid, polio, DPT (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis), and hepatitis A. We are returning for hepatitis B this week--initially, we didn't feel that we needed it, but have changed our minds because it provides lifetime protection. (The Hep A and B are done in a series of 2 or 3 shots each, done 6 months apart, to provide that lifetime protection.) Yellow fever, tetanus (DPT), and typhoid were good for 10 years, I think. We chose the injectible polio over the pills, even though the injection only lasts 3-5 years and the pills last 5-7 due to some stomach problems that I have, and the injection seemed safer for me. Yellow fever was the only mandatory one (although I couldn't even get a clear answer on that--some website say it is, some say it is not), but the others just seemed like a wise idea. And as our doctor said, after the Hep A shot, we can eat at Taco Bell as often as we like without any problems!! I just mean that it will be useful in everyday life, not just with travelling. We did not choose to get the meningococcal meningitis vaccine, although I'm wondering now if we shouldn't after all. They seem to be giving it to college students nowadays, so it must be relatively safe.
We also got a prescription for Malarone. We chose that over some other options (e.g., Lariam, Chloroquine) due to less side effects (and the Chloroquinine wouldn't apply to us with where we are visiting in Africa), even though Malarone is more expensive and you must take it daily (I think Lariam you only take once a week). You begin taking one Malarone pill per day one day prior to departure and then continue through the trip and one week following your return.
I found my doctor by looking at the CDC website for an authorized yellow fever immunization center, and went from there. Not everyone is certified to give that particular shot, so it was necessary for that to be our starting point.
Feb 5th, 2007, 06:17 AM
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There are many threads on this board regading immunizations and malaria meds. You can check the www.cdc.gov/travel site for information regarding East Africa. Print out what you need and discuss with your personal physician or a tropical disease specialist... all based on your personal medical history. What's good for one, may not be for another.
Generally, whether traveling or staying home, it's recommended you be current with certain inocs... Tetanus and Hep A, specifically. Yellow Fever is not required for entry to East Africa for citizens arriving from western countries... and it's not likely, but in refugee camps on border areas to come in contact with the possibility of even contracting this. However, though expensive, if you have this inoc, it's good for 10/years.
The Polio inoc is a booster (since when you had as a child) and will last the rest of your life. Again, while Polio has technically been eradicated, there are occasional outbreaks somewhere in the world.
Hep B which is for blood borne disease, is recommended for those who will be in contact with locals, i.e., Peace Corp or NGO workers, or anyone who foolishly plans on unprotected sex. However, the new Twinex inoc combines both A&B, so can be taken if your doctor provides.
Malaria meds - a number of choices, but most (not all) are taking the Malarone these days. Though a daily pill over the Lariam which is a weekly ill, Malarone is known to have less side-effects.
Arm yourself with information and discuss with your physician. Be prepared for a costly bill if you have everything and insurance doesn't cover.
Generally, whether traveling or staying home, it's recommended you be current with certain inocs... Tetanus and Hep A, specifically. Yellow Fever is not required for entry to East Africa for citizens arriving from western countries... and it's not likely, but in refugee camps on border areas to come in contact with the possibility of even contracting this. However, though expensive, if you have this inoc, it's good for 10/years.
The Polio inoc is a booster (since when you had as a child) and will last the rest of your life. Again, while Polio has technically been eradicated, there are occasional outbreaks somewhere in the world.
Hep B which is for blood borne disease, is recommended for those who will be in contact with locals, i.e., Peace Corp or NGO workers, or anyone who foolishly plans on unprotected sex. However, the new Twinex inoc combines both A&B, so can be taken if your doctor provides.
Malaria meds - a number of choices, but most (not all) are taking the Malarone these days. Though a daily pill over the Lariam which is a weekly ill, Malarone is known to have less side-effects.
Arm yourself with information and discuss with your physician. Be prepared for a costly bill if you have everything and insurance doesn't cover.
Feb 5th, 2007, 07:12 AM
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There is a a whole lot of miss information in the above posts but for the record I'll only address the issue of yellow fever vaccination for U.S. residents traveling to Tanzania and Kenya. Those countries do not require a yellow fever Vac. for travelers coming directly from the U.S. If however you have visited an area with endemic yellow fever within the past tweve months (i.e., many parts of South America), they may require a yellow fever vaccination certificate. If you produce a doctors letter stating that for medical reasons, you cannot have the vaccine, they will exempt you. If you are traveling between African countries with endemic yellow fever (at least from the U.S.) they routinely give you a pass and don't require the vaccination certificate. Discuss this with your health care provider and make an informed decision.
Feb 5th, 2007, 10:10 AM
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Hi Stephanie-
I leave for Tanzania on Friday! I got the following shots 3 weeks before my trip: Hep A, polio, DPT, typhoid, and yellow fever. I am taking the once-a-week Larium, where you take the first pill one week before the trip. I had no side effects, but my doctor said if I did he could switch me over to Malarone.
I leave for Tanzania on Friday! I got the following shots 3 weeks before my trip: Hep A, polio, DPT, typhoid, and yellow fever. I am taking the once-a-week Larium, where you take the first pill one week before the trip. I had no side effects, but my doctor said if I did he could switch me over to Malarone.
Feb 5th, 2007, 01:12 PM
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hi stephanie,
i called my insurance company and asked for a travel?/ infectious disease doctor, so at least i didn't pay for the visits. ( co pay) The innoculations were costly, I didn't get reactions, I am currently taking typhoid by pill and will start the Malarone in a couple of weeks....trip coming up soon....
i called my insurance company and asked for a travel?/ infectious disease doctor, so at least i didn't pay for the visits. ( co pay) The innoculations were costly, I didn't get reactions, I am currently taking typhoid by pill and will start the Malarone in a couple of weeks....trip coming up soon....
Feb 9th, 2007, 11:55 AM
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I strongly recommend taking Malarone over Lariam. Lariam can cause extreme psychological problems. (See http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00921.html) and http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/...in538144.shtml). I know someone who had to drop out of the Peace Corp because Larim's side effect. It used to be the only anti-malarial pill available in the U.S. so I used to take it. Fortunately, the only side effect that I had was wierd dreams.
I know insist on taking Malarone. It has been available in Europe for a long time. I have never had a problem with it. You must take it with food.
I know insist on taking Malarone. It has been available in Europe for a long time. I have never had a problem with it. You must take it with food.
May 1st, 2007, 05:42 PM
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I have many vaccinations from 03 (Yellow f/typhoid/hep A&B/polio/tetanus). My travel doctor suggested the meningococcal meningitis vaccine to my husband. I see that the CDC mentions pre-rabies. We'll be doing TUC and Grumeti River in early June (then Namibia and SA). Any thoughts on these two shots?
We both have challenged immune systems and I'm wondering why safarichuck, you brought that up. Were you suggesting that people with those issues may need more or less jabs? Thanks.
We both have challenged immune systems and I'm wondering why safarichuck, you brought that up. Were you suggesting that people with those issues may need more or less jabs? Thanks.
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