Hi
I wonder if you could please clear up some confusion regarding travel vaccinations for the VSEA trip.
I have been given Hep A, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio, Diptheria injections but was told by nurses that I didn't need Hep B or Yellow Fever even though I was recommended these by the Dr. The Dr also said to take malaria tablets but the Pharmacist said I didn't need them! I have spoken to someone else going on the same trip and they have been told different to me again!
What exactly would you recommend we have/take?
Thanks
Amy
Re: Injections
Hi AmyJayne,
ImTrav won't give you an answer on this one .. and they shouldn't .. you should discuss and decide this with a professional.
Anyhow .. having done some travel so far .. my experience around this topic is that it is important to find a doctor who does this kind of travel advice regularly. When I went out on my first trip, I ended up at a doctor with low experience on travel advice and basically got a jab against everything that was listed in her travel book... The doctor I am now going to is really reviewing the whole trip in detail, sometimes even down on state or county level to find the right approach, so I only get what I really need to have , plus hints on health topics for my destination. So a discussion with an experienced doctor is essential.
Anyhow ... I am going to Laos/Thailand in four weeks, I will only take the malaria pills as 'stand-by' with me. All Thailand has a certain risk of malaria, however there is just a few regions where the risk is high - I am not visiting those, so this should be ok for me.
You may want to visit http://www.fit-for-travel.de/en/default.jsp to check for your trip.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, I am just stating my experience ... make sure you discuss this with an experienced doctor.
Cheers,
Bjoern
Injections
Hi Amy
Thank you for your post - I can see this is a really confusing issue and do sympathise.
Bjoern - many thanks also for your post - you have saved me explaining why we cannot offer medical advice!
We do indeed recommend you discuss the matter with a professional, and someone experienced in travel health matters such as Bjoern suggests is ideal. It needs to be your own decision as to whose medical advice you follow, as we aren't in a position to advise.
You may find these websites useful when doing your research:
National Travel Health Network and Centre - http://www.nathnac.org/ds/c_pages/country_page_TH.htm
Fit for Travel - www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
Ist Contact - www.1stcontact.com - look up travel clinic and vaccinations and then the country
Malaria hotspots - www.malariahotspots.co.uk
If you are really concerned about the advice you've been given it may be worth asking your doctor or pharmacist where they get their information from.
Best Wishes,
Kelly