I am planning to go to africa for buff and maybe a hippo. I am not sure where or when yet though. What vacinnes are required and has anybody had any problems with them? My brothers friend's sister died as complications from the vacines. She was planning on going over to do some mission work for 6 months. Does if differ on if you will be there 2 weeks vs 6 months or what country and region you go to?

skog

I got a yellow fever shot before I went to Angola a month ago and had no bad effects.

Depends on where you go and what vacinnes you will have to get. But I doubt you will have any complications unless you don't know what you are allergic too.

Basic ones to consider would be: hepatitis A and B, polio and tetanus. Yellow Fever may be required depending upon where you go. Check with CDC's website for their recommendations.

John

Due to my travels and work in rivers I have had a a fair number of vaccinations.

Most last for long periods of time 3-10 years depending on what it is, so whether you go for 2 weeks or 2 years I assume your vaccinations would be the same...

I have never had any side effects

Skog- another website to visit is: www.mdtravelhealth.com Very few people die from getting a vaccine. At the most you may have some soreness at the injection area or a slight fever for few hours. What occured to your brother's friends sister is so rare you shouldn't even be concerned but if you are, talk with your doctor.

John

In Tucson at the University of Arizona Medical center they used to have have a travel clinic that was open 3 times a week. The Dr's were specialists in travel medicine and would advise and administer all the meds necessary for wherever you were bound. They also had all the vaccines which most Dr's offices don't necessarily have dus to low usage. I had all the reccommended vaccines and was given prescriptions for other meds I should take such a Malarial protection and antibiotics for extreme diahorrea. They also made sure that all was on the yellow card they then gave me. This card is especially necessary for entry into some countries to prove yellow fever vaccinations. You may not be PLANNING to visit a restricted country but if your aircraft is required to stop or is rerouted to such a destination it may be desirable to have the card.The State Department also reccommends the protection you should have and refers you to the CDC I believe. I have NEVER had a reaction to any of the meds.

Skog,
She may have died from a reaction caused by the Guillon-Barre syndrome. My brother almost died recently from a hepatitis A vaccine. It triggered this rare (1 per 100,000) sydrome that attacks the nervous system. Within a week he was completely paralyzed. Fortunately he was diagnosed in time and was treated with multiple plasma transfusions. He is recovering and can now walk.

Geoff

Guillane-Barre syndrome can be triggered from any number of immunizations, but most commonly complications from reactions to flu vaccines. I have heard of occurence rates from 1:100,000 to 1:500,000.

I would not worry unnecessarily about it, but if I got any vaccine and did experience difficulty, I would seek immediate medical attention. It is worse if treatment is delayed.

It is very serious. I have a good friend who experienced it, and took him from a healthy outdoorsman to a weakened 100# scarecrow in just a couple months. Took approximately 2 years in the hospital (plasma and gamma-globulin shots) and 5 years total to recover enough to have about 75% of his normal life back.

skog,

Just go to the CDC website. They will tell you what current vaccinations you need for any country. The incidence of negative reactions is not high enough to keep me from Africa. Your chances of getting run over on the way to the corner store are properly higher than getting a terrible reaction to the shots.

Mark

CDC has plenty of info and remember that they are going to be extremely conservative and recommend everything that you could remotely encounter. For example, I disregarded their rabies recommendation for Zimbabwe.

When you narrow the country and area down it will be much easier to answer your question about specifics. You might get the book called Safari Guide 2007-2008. It's about $75 from Safari Press and walks you through every country regarding health requirements, hunting, various laws, etc. It's a great resource that I recommend frequently...most people ignore that advice and then continue to ask the same simple questions over and over again.

Question - if your Polio, MMR, and diptheria, etc. titers come back positive, even if it has been many years since a booster (I honestly don't know if I've ever gotten a Polio booster or diptheria one) are you OK? I don't mind getting boosters, but if I don't really need them why get them?

I work in a hospital and just had bloodwork done to check all my titers. So far I'm good on Hep A&B, Varicella, MMR, TB - getting the others done and should have those back in a few days.

Definitely going to get the Tetanus, though.

Tetanus and Hep A & B are mandatory in my opinion.

Like 30ot6 said, polio is a good idea and your tetanus should be current within a year. That from my immunologist who's Nigerian. Also typhoid isn't a bad idea, either.

Knew of a guy who went to Mexico for a week and came back in a wheel chair due to polio.

I have had practically every vaccine one could imagine through the years I have been to Africa.

And I have never, ever, had any problems whatsoever.

Might just be my good luck.

I got Hep A & B plus tetanus booster on my trip no ill effects.

When in the employ of my rich Uncle Sam, I was requested to quickly attend an exercise that was not exactly conducive to one's health. Given the tight time frame, vaccinations that would normally be spread out over a couple of months were graciously provided to me all at once. If I recall, they included, tetnus, polio, diptheria, smallpox, cholera, yellow fever, dengue fever, hepatitus, tetnus, and a couple others.

I felt a bit flu like during the trip over, but it subsided quickly.

Skog,

With an avatar like that, you've gotta be a Brit! - Damn, I haven't had a Newky Brown for years....... You know what they used to say about it, - feel like the bottoms dropping out of your world? - drink Newcastle Brown and the world will drop out of your bottom! anyway, I digress......

Wait till you know which African country your going to hunt and then go to your local travel clinic, who will be able to tell you everything you need to know. There's no point going to your GP, cos they know squat and there's no point looking into it now if you're not going to Africa for (let's say) 2 years....... things might change between now and then......

Thanks for all the advice and confirming that this girl just had bad luck. As for the my location I am a yank as the brits say. I just happen to think that heaven is imported in a bottle for england.
Also I will look into the book recommended.

skog

A Yank on Newcastle Brown! - and there was me thinking you guys didn't have any (beer)culture! - Miracles will never cease. Great beer though huh?

Employed by that same "uncle" I had every shot there was given at once also, combo's given in the upper and lower arm on both arms and smallpox on the shoulder to fester up. Slight fever for a day, but no ill effects. Anytime we were shipped out to a new part of the world, we were given boosters all over again.

I know we have beat the *^$%() out of this but........ I went to my County Health Department and said I am going to Tanzania, what do I need? That nice lady went on line to the CDC Web Site and said get out your check book and roll up your sleeve. She also explained that Malaria Meds would have to be obtained through your personal Physician.

They also provided a neat yellow card that folded up to fit my passport holder which is a complete record of all innoculations. Most convenient.

On that neat yellow card, there is also a place for your physician to fill out what prescription medications you take as well as your vaccination history. There was an outbreak of Polio in Namibia on 06 and many had to take the vaccination while there at the airport or in camp when officials showed up. I had a booster before going and was not required to have another since I had proof of all my vaccinations. A Typhoid booster is usually recommended as well. "yellow Fever" free countries may not require it but if you travel through one,,, you may be required to prove you have been vaccinated so it is not just where you are headed but how you got there.