Do I need shots?
Whether you need shots or not depends on a few factors
- Where you are travelling to
- How up to date you are with your current innoculations
- Requirements of each country as you enter
It’s possible to obtain the latest information on the specific diseases in the countries affected, along with the immunization requirements of those countries from the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov. Alternatively you can call the CDC hotline on 1800-CDC-INFO.
You need to give a reasonable amount of time to having your shots before travel as some shots are given in a course of two or more shots and some shots can’t be taken with others due to adverse side effects. It’s best to allow up to six weeks to obtain all necessary shots although this timeframe can be reduced in certain cases.
What shots might I need?
- Cholera: Innoculate four to six weeks before your trip. If possible do not have this shot at the same time as the yellow fever vaccine
- Diptheria: Innoculate six weeks before you intend to travel
- Hepatitis A: Innoculate one week before you leave
- Hepatitis B: This is a three shot vaccine that ideally takes six months
- Japanese B encephalitis: Three shot vaccine taken over a four week period. Due to the possibility of adverse reactions, the innoculation series should be started at least six weeks before departure
- Polio: It’s worth thinking about getting this innoculation a few months prior to departure even if you were innoculated as a child
- Tetanus: Innoculate six weeks before you travel
- Typhoid: The standard innoculation requires two shots, the first eight weeks before travel and the second four weeks before travel
- Yellow Fever: Innoculate three weeks before you travel
Do I need to carry proof of innoculations with me when I travel?
Yellow fever is an example of a shot which might require the traveler to carry a yellow card proving your innoculation. This card needs to be presented when attempting to enter certain countries. Bulivia is one country that requires you to either carry the card (with Spanish version) or instead sign a disclaimer stating you enter the country knowingly without the yellow fever innoculation.
There may be other countries that also have these sorts of rules so make sure you check the Centers for Disease Control website for further information.
What’s the cost?
The cost of the innoculations can vary and some might be covered with Insurance whereas others might not. In my own personal experience I’ve found for example the yellow fever innoculation (which is not covered with medical) in California costs $235 for the shot and a further $30 for the consultation whereas in Arkansas it only costs $105 for the shot with no consultation fee. These price variations aren’t just limited by state to state differences, they are also apparent from one medical clinic to the next. It pays therefore to shop around a little when it comes to selecting where you purchase your vaccines.
There may be additional shots not listed above that you require based on your own particular travel itinery and vaccine history. Only use the above information as a guidline. Visit your GP or travel clinic to make sure you have the correct course of Innoculations.
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