What medical shots should I get?

[defining]

Hi there, I'm off in the fall for some travelling, probably for about a year. I'm just wondering which medical shots should I get before I go.

I'm from canada, so far I'm going to get

-twinrix (hep a + b)
-booster shot?

Do I need anything else? I can't find any places on the net that actually tell me what I really need.

thanks,

[Eagle]

DEFINING, It's difficult to answer your question completely, as the Vaccinations required will depend to some extent on which region(s) you will be travelling? Travelling in Western Europe seems to be considered much the same as North America in terms of risk, according to the local Health Unit. However, if you're travelling in the "Far East", Africa, South America or other regions, then the requirements will be much different.

If you require anti-Malarial medication I would recommend you check the various options available, as some fairly serious "side effects" have occurred with Lariam (in some people). Check some of the Posts at Lonely Planet / Thorn Tree as there are some very interesting comments.

It sounds like you're off to a good start with Hep. A & B. Also check your Tetanus booster status (may be required). It would be highly advisable to check with your family Doctor and preferably a travel medicine clinic or Public Health Clinic to get the full list of what will be required for the areas you will be travelling in. In my own experience, I found that the average family Physician may not be completely up to speed on this sort of thing, as I have received much different advice from a Physician specializing in travel medicine. Some vaccinations require one or more shots spaced several months apart, so best to start on this fairly soon.

Hope these few comments will be of some help. Good luck with this, and happy travels!!!

[defining]

We will be going only as far as the edge of turkey for (EAST) and all around western europe.

I'm meeting with my doctor to see what he thinks, I think I'll be fine with Hep a+b and a booster shot.

Any other canadian's out there? what did you get?

[jennifer]

This is a great question, has anyone gotten any shots for just plain western europe?
thanks

[ynox]

well, living in western europe I have:

Polio
Diphtheria
Tetanus
Meningitis C

Might be worth getting those if you don't already have them but to be honest, as long as you avoid eastern europe and stick to developed countries you ought to be fine.

[Rich]

For an average healthy adult from Canada, the diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis vaccines are done within every ten years. Make sure you have that updated.

However, Hep A, Hep B, or Twinrix (combo of Hep A and B) are not done regularly in Canada and you have to pay for them (they're expensive). The first shot needs to be given at least 2 weeks before you go (but much better if it's at least 4 weeks before). Hepatitis A is transferred from person to person usually through contaminated food products......even in first world countries. Since it's very difficult to reduce the risk of this, I would definitely advise travellers to get this one.

Hepatitis B is transferred person to person through sexual contact or contaminated blood products (including stepping on a dirty needle). This means that you can reduce the risk of contracting this virus for the most part. However, since a Hep B infection is a long-term infection (that is, your body won't necessarily be able to clear the virus in your lifetime), it's a pretty good idea to have this one too.

Hope this helps! With the risks in mind, you can choose what vaccinations you would want. If cost is the issue (they will cost > $100 to be done), ask a pharmacist for the cost of the different products:

Hep A - Havrix (2 shots: 2nd is 6-12 months after the 1st)
Hep B - Energix or Recombivax (3 shots: 2nd shot is 1 month following the first and the 3rd shot is 6 months following the first shot)
Hep A + B - Twinrix (3 shots: same schedule as Hep B)

[Kim]

He was asking a pharmacist - you..! ;D

(Sometimes I'm too funny for my own good)

[WillTravel]

Strangely enough, in BC at least, they seem to want all schoolkids to get the HepB shot, and it's administered for free. I'm not sure why it isn't for adults.

[Michelle]

Yeah I got my Hep B in school for free. And it happened every year for the same grade (can't remember exactly, it was either grade 6 or grade 8??).

[Rich]

Good stuff! The latest vaccination schedule in Canada includes giving Hep B vaccines to newborns now. I didn't realize that they did the school vaccinations as well (it's not listed as a regularly scheduled vaccination).........they certainly didn't do it in my day (I'm 28). I would definitely suggest checking with your school or community health office to see if you would have received the Hep B vaccines previously. I'm guessing that if you're near your mid-twenties or older, you likely didn't receive them. Still consider the Hep A vaccine and make sure you get at least the first shot done 2-4 weeks prior to your travels.

Rich

[Jordo]

Yea in the US all kids entering Jr.High school have to get mandatory shots for Hep a+b, Meningitis and something els, it was so long ago i cant rember what shots i had to get lol.

[me]

Meningitis? didn't get that one before my trip. but, i got the others, per a cdc list for eastern europe.

- d

[me]

just a reminder to some of our new members that pre-travel vaccinations are a good idea, especially if going South or East in Europe. better safe than sorry.

CDC suggests for Italy: MMR, DPT & Hep B. if going East, for Hungary they also suggest Hep A, Typhoid and even, if you plan to spend time outside, Rabies!

- d