I'm glad I found this old thread, because the anxieties expressed are what I'm going through, not for me, but for my kids. They hate, hate, hate shots and mosquitoes are really drawn to one of my kids.

We'd be going at Christmas time, which Avrooster seems to think is not the best time to go -- excessive heat is of concern as well.

I just can't decide how much these concerns should factor into our decision making!!

So, we're leaning towards the Lake District now. Any one care to chime in again on this??

With regard to Yellow Fever shots, my understanding is that when one returns within ten days from an infected area to either the USA or Australia where I live, that one must show proof of vaccination, or else have an expensive shot then and there.
We'll be transiting the US on our way back to OZ, and I wouldn't want to be held up in quarantine!

Our vacccinations expire only a few weeks before we go (after 10 years)I would risk it, apart from the fear of the burocracy. Any comments please?

Carabella, I had the yellow fever shot for my last trip to Brazil (I'm also Australian) but no one checked my documents at any time in Brazil or Australia. I went to one area that has yellow fever (Minas Gerais) but according to my doctor you don't need yellow fever if you are going to the coastal areas. The previous year I'd been to a conference in Sao Paulo and didn't get any shots.