According to the CDC, visitors to Namibia should "consider" Hep A, Hep B, typhoid, rabies and malaria meds/vaccines. I can certainly see the malaria prophylaxis and possibly Hep A, but how about all the others? Any physicians in the house?

When are you going and to which part? You don't need malaria between May an January. Hep A and B are always good but the rest is out of it.

most areas of namibia need nothing. The Caprivi strip would require malaria prophylaxis, but not the rest. Unless you are going to live in a native village and drink river water, the Hep b, and Hep A are not necessary, nor is the typhus. Most rabies in Namibia affects kudu currently. the rabies vaccines are a major pain and are not indicated unless bitten by a rabid animal. I doubt too many kudu are likely to bite you. I looked up tick borne illnesses in Africa once and could not find any originating in Namibia. On my trip there, the Ph supplied clean well water and bottled water and I only saw one tick. There were a few mosquitos but central Namibia is not an endemic malaria area. I would recommend you get the Hep B just for your own personal safety, but not just to travel to Namibia.

I have not met anyone who has take a rabies vaccination, but I suggest all of the rest, plus a Tetanus booster. I doubt you will be able to get in the country without a Yellow Fever vaccination. Also be sure and get vaccination card from your doctor listing all you have taken and the dates admininstered.

I am not a doctor, but I work in Angola and I make sure I am current on everything that is out there.

Saludos...Frank

We're hoping to hunt in May or June north of Otjiwarongo, north of Windhoek. Also hope to visit Etosha if possible.

They now recommend Hep A for any country outside the US.

Do you NEED Hep B? Probably not. However, with as many people as have Hep B not only overseas but here in the states it is always a good idea to get the vaccination. All you need is to lend a hand after a skinner cuts himself or some other accident occures and you'll be receiving counselling on the possible effects Hep B can/will have on you.

Seemed like an easy choice for me.

Same with Typhoid. Sure, the camp staff is clean and you'll more then likely not be exposed there but what about any other place you happen to eat? You can't GUARANTEE that the person making a salad at Joe's Beerhouse or anywhere else DOESN'T have Typhoid.......

As far as the Malarial meds. I've been twice, once to the west side of Etosha and once to the Caprivi and I've yet to see a mosquito. But, in going to the Caprivi next summer I'll still be on Malarone. South of Etosha and I wouldn't be concerned at all.

I guess I've always followed the better safe then sorry avenue.....

Just my two cents......

Ah, forgot, get yourself a polio vacc!!!! We were all vaccinated this year due to an outbreak. The time you will travel you will definately not need anything against malaria... a bottle of gin & tonic should do.

I am going to Namibia in May 2007. I went to a travel medicine clinic in Dallas and at their suggestion got Hep A, Hep B, polio, MMR and typhoid. I went for the full series on the hepatitis shots since it is covered by my insurance and I hope this is just the first of many trips to Africa.

I already had tetanus and rabies due to my profession (veterinarian).

By the way, my cost if I had not had insurace coverage for the vaccines and pre-vaccine exam would have been over $800.

DrScott: I hope my insurance covers my vaccs as well. Do you know if those of us born in the 1950s who had our polio shots and smallpox vaccinations still need these?

Vaccinations cost a lot. For Namibia the only one that I would find essential would Tetanus.

Bill,

I got all of the listed vaccinations but rabies. Given the recent outbreak of rabies among kudu and other animals in Namibia, I think I would get rabies too nowadays.

Hep B is a good idea, just in case you are in an accident and need blood - it happens. Hep B requires multiple shots over 6 months to be effective.

Polio is also a good idea, given its occurence among the indigent population. I was told that even though I had been vaccinated against polio as a child, I needed a new one to be sure of protection now.

As for malaria prophylaxis, the above advice is good, based on my information and experience.

The hep B vaccine is a good idea for anyone, and I figure took the vaccination against A as an added bonus.

Malaria proiphylaxis is probably not necessary out of the Caprivi strip or some of Bushmanland. I took the typhoid vaccine anyway.

This is general medical advice coming from a surgeon, so take it with the appropriate grains of salt.

I believe the above folks got it covered.

I would add, that it is a real good idea, especially, if you haven't been in awhile to go to the dentist before traveling on any long trip.

quote:

DrScott: I hope my insurance covers my vaccs as well. Do you know if those of us born in the 1950s who had our polio shots and smallpox vaccinations still need these?

According to the doctors at the travel clinic you should get a polio booster but not a smallpox.

My doc worked for 15 or 20 years in Angola, near the border with Namibia. When last year I said to him that I was going to hunt in Namibia, he asked me where were my destinations. He told me to do tetanus vaccination, that I did, and anything else. He suggested me to have some product to sterilize water, some polivitaminic product, and stop.
I took some attention to what I eated. I did not have any episode of diarrhoea or intestinal disease.

At the end of my travel I can say that I've seen some fly, no mosquitos, no ticks, no snake or skorpions.

On the return fly I found another Italian hunter that I met during the fly to Windhek. He told me that the doctor that spent with him a week was afraid for any tropical disease that is described in the manuals, ruining by himself the pleasure to spend his time hunting and relaxing.

Be careful, but not obsessed.

When I was in Namibia this July, near Otjiwarongo, one of the party was injured. When we took him to a clinic, they insisted we all get polio vaccinations. The problem is that there are two types of vaccine. We got the cheap oral variety, which acutally gives you polio. As a result, my family in the states had to get vaccinated, too. My wife, who ain't too thrilled about my safaris, was not happy. In fact, the polio outbreak was near Windhoek, so i'm not sure there was much risk.

Here are general WebMD immunization recommendations for adults ("foreign" cited butnot Africa specific). Consistent with comments above except that typhoid not discussed.

http://www.webmd.com/hw/raising_a_family/hw254941.asp?pagenumber=2

And here is the CDC Travel page:

http://www.cdc.gov/travel/vaccinat.htm

quote:

Originally posted by Gringo:
..... I doubt you will be able to get in the country without a Yellow Fever vaccination.

Yellow Fever is NOT required for Namibia......or South Africa for that matter.

akpls,

That is good to know.

Bill,

I think that one point that has not been mention here is most of the vaccinations are one time administration and a couple need to be renewed every ten yrs. I am not a paranoid person, and these shots are no substitute for good personal hygine and common sense. But the diseases mentioned in the posts above do exist and for about 300-400 dollars you are covered on the first trip and future ones; not only Africa but the Far East and South America as well. For me it is a no brainer since I work in some of these lovely places, but each to his own.

Have a good trip...Saludos...Frank

You guys inspired me. I went to Dr. today and started with Polio, Hep. B and Tetanus. I get the second Hep B in one month and the third Hep B in about six months. They were out of Hep A but will have soon. They gave me prescriptions for oral Typhoid and Malaria. The Dr. printed out requirements from his computer which were the same as CDC.

Thanks!

Don't know about the other diseases but pure oregano oil is known for tetanus(Clostridium tetanii.) In case anyone has never tried this stuff, it is extremely potent stuff if it is pure. 1 drop on your tongue will rip your face off, 10 drops in a capsule with some bread will relax your jaw. LOL

Peace in the Lord,

Corey