wjm457

We will be traveling to Poland-Slovenia-Hungary next spring. What is the consensus of the board on the necessity of getting hepatitus vaccine?

Andrew

I've been to all of those places, some more than once. Never even thought of getting a hepatitis vaccine. I didn't realize that was a concern for visiting countries in the EU.

Kathie

It's a concern for staying at home in the US or Canada. Everyone - whether traveling or not - should have Hep A vaccine, plus vaccines for "childhood diseases" like messes, maps, rubella, .etc.

elberko

A vaccine against childhood messes would be awesome!

Kathie

lol - autocorrect strikes again - it was supposed to be measles, mumps, rubella.

kja

Have you checked the CDC website? I always find out what it recommends and then consult my physician....

nytraveler

Hep vaccines are more important for some people, esp if they have specific diseases or are immunocompromised. I've never had it and asked my MD when someone at a party brought it up last year. She said unnecessary for me/most healthy people.

rtt0921

Consider a vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) if you'll be hiking, venturing into forests, especially where there's a lot of undergrowth.

Whathello

Best answer is indeed to check with your doctor.

Europe is relatevly safe for a third world zone. We do have some health care, hospitals, got rid of endemic illnesses and have purified water, thank you.

In some places we even have electrity. (And Wifi ... )

wjm457

Thank you for your replies. I suppose I should have clarified that we have been to Europe many times but only as far east as Vienna. I never gave immunization much thought as far as Europe goes until I read that the CDC recommends hepatitus vaccines for travel in the countries I mentioned in my original post among others. I merely wanted to know if members had gotten the shots or is an over reaction by the CDC as they are quite expensive.

rtt0921

I think the CDC is merely being cautious and advising this due to the somewhat higher prevalence of Hepatitis A in some Eastern European countries, extending the warning to other countries in this group. Slovenia has a very low prevalence rate, comparable to Western European countries, for which the CDC doesn't generally advise vaccination. Hepatitis A vaccinations are advised by the Slovenian medical authorities only for travel to developing countries.

wjm457

Thank you

Christina

Never would have thought those countries would have any special risk, but I think adults should get a Hep A vaccine anyway, it's a routine recommended preventive vaccine for many adults. I didn't get one to travel to those countries, but I had one anyway a few years as part of my immunization schedule.

It really depends on your age and risk factors.

Kathie

Hep A is considered a "routine vaccine" and should be available to you in the US for free as part of preventive medicine (covered by your insurance) or at your local public health service for very low cost. The commercial travel clinics over-charge for everything, IMO.

The two-shot sequence will give you immunity for at least 20 years. I think it is a good investment.

Given your question, I assumed that you had checked the cdc webpages. And that is what your doctor will do as well when you consult with him/her.