My Public Health people here say they have checked with the CDC and I do not require a shot for Yellow Fever to go to Tanzania. Does anyone know more about this? PS they we kneen on me getting a Rabies shot thought?

Bob,

I copied the information below from the CDC website. I think Tanzania requires it if you are going to a Yellow Fever area. I had to get one before my hunt in the Selous.

Chapter 5 – Yellow Fever Vaccine Requirements and Information on Malaria Risk and Prophylaxis, by Country (yellow pages)
Country Yellow Fever Malaria
Country Requirements1 CDC Recommendations2 Area of Risk Chloroquine Resistance Recommended Prophylaxis
Tanzania
If traveling from an endemic zone and >1 year of age
For all travelers >9 months of age. The city of Dar es Salaam has a lower risk of transmission than rural areas.
All areas at altitudes <1,800m (<5,906ft).
Confirmed
Atovaquone/ proguanil; doxycycline; or mefloquine


1Yellow fever vaccine entry requirements are necessary for travelers to comply with in order to enter the country. In general, these are in place to prevent importation and transmission of yellow fever virus. Countries requiring yellow fever vaccination for entry adhere to the regulations put forth by WHO as stated in the International Health Regulations. Some countries require vaccination for travelers coming from an endemic zone. “Traveling from an endemic zone†is defined as transit through an endemic zone in the previous 6 days.
2The information in the section on yellow fever vaccine recommendations is advice given by CDC to prevent yellow fever infections among travelers.
3Please note, the U.S. Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices recommends avoiding vaccination in infants <9 months of age; travel of infants <9 months of age to countries in the yellow fever endemic zone or to countries experiencing a yellow fever epidemic should be postponed or avoided, whenever possible. If travel is unavoidable, medical waivers may be considered for infants <9 months of age to meet the entry requirements of these countries.



Brett

I believe you don't have to have it to enter the country. The trick is you can't go to any other country after leaving Tanzania without the shot. Wierd, but I think this is true.

I was in Tanzania last year. Although it is a good idea, it was not required like it was years ago.

Any idea how much it costs Bob?

If I remember correctly, I had either 6 shots for $900 or 9 shots for $600.

I had to get things like tetnus, etc

My experience was more like 6 for $900. I used an international travel clinic. They said I would need the yellow fever vaccination for where I was going -South Central Tanzania.

The clinic did not recommend the rabies vaccination because - it is very expensive, it does not protect you from rabies (it only gives you a head start on immunity) and thus you must take the battery of injections if you are exposed anyway.

Samwise,

I opted to get the immunization. Had not had one since the late 60's but had no trouble with it them. Had no problems with it this time either.

This kinda thing is given by the County Health folks here ... only place you can get them. I think it was about $50.

I did DTP, Yellow Fever, Hep A&B, and polio.

I got my yellow fever vaccination last year, about a month before leaving to Tanz. It was just one shot, and it might have cost $60 or so. It was no biggy.

Check with your local community health services though. With the centralization that has happened in BC, very few clinics carry the live yellow fever vaccine anymore. I had the option of travelling to Calgary or Trail to get mine. Our regional clinic here doesn't carry it anymore, and neither does a big center like Lethbridge!

joec is right. It isn't Tanz that requires it, its other contries that require you to have the immunization if you have been in a country with a risk of yellow fever.

Cheers,
Canuck

Just remember, yellow fever shots is only one of several you might need. I am looking for my papers and cannot find them. I think I got a total of 6 which included tetnus, yellow fever, hep A & B, etc.

Hello samwise

There is a small but definite risk of contracting Yellow fever. You should not take the risk of not getting vaccinated as the mortality with Yellow fever is a little over 50%.

The cost of the vaccination is about $60.Some county health service clinics also give this vaccine, and it will cost less.

Regards
Aziz

last one i had was in 2000, it was one shot and cost was covered by insurance as preventative immunization

A question:

How long does a yellow fever shot last before you have to get another one?

Allen- IIRC, the shot lasts a lifetime. However, do not lose your yellow card proving you had the shot or you will have to get another. My shot last year cost $130. For those of you getting the shot, many places that can give you the vaccine cannot give you the yellow certificate. MAKE SURE to ask if the clinic/public health/doctor's office also provides the certificate. That is the document YOU HAVE TO HAVE in order to enter countries with the yellow fever vaccination requirement.

John

I went to the County Health Dept and told them I was going to Tanzania. A very nice lady went to the "book of books" and gave me innoculations for Hep A & B, a Polio booster, Menomune (menengitis), Yellow Fever, and an Oral Typhoid Med.

quote:

Originally posted by trapntrav:
Any idea how much it costs Bob?

I had a battery of shots including yellow fever to go to Tanzania last August. I cannot say absolutely that it was required in Tanzania, but I really think it was. The shots cost me about 400.00, but I'll tell you one thing, the 400.00 cost will not cover 20 minutes in the hospital these days.

quote:

Originally posted by Palmer:
A question:

How long does a yellow fever shot last before you have to get another one?

Public health officials at entry points in Africa consider the yellow fever vaccine as valid for ten years. If you don't have your shot card with you, you will have to take the shot at the airport, be threatened with quarantine, and have to solve the problem in the "traditional" manner. I am speaking from experience.

It is NOT a requirement for entry into Tanzania. However, it is recommended IMO. Others are Hep A&B, Meningitis, something for Typhoid, cholera, something for Bilharzia and Malaria meds.

Another thing to be weary off is Sleeping Sickness. If you are going to Western Tanzania, parts of Maasailand, Central Tanzania and Selous ( guess i've covered pretty much the entire country ) and will be exposed to Tse Tse fly, be aware of the potential of human trypanosomyasis. You don't want to get it! and if you do, be conscious of the symptoms so you can alert your Doctor back home and they can do the necessary testing.

Same here, one shot for under $100 before going to Zambia. No side effects.