This morning I got my 6th and last shot needed for my upcoming trip to Southeast Asia. In total, I needed to get a TDAP shot (which you apparently are supposed to update every 5-10 years), a 3-series shot for rabies, and a 2-series shot for Japanese encephalitis. The shots have not been painful, but given my prior experiences traveling I did not expect to need many more vaccinations. I was wrong. On top of that, I have 100 anti-malarial pills as well as other medications to, amongst others, prevent altitude sickness (for any hiking/trekking) as well as address any … how should I say it … stomach problems.
I’m glad that I researched ahead of time on the CDC website what would be required. You can do so as well by visiting the following link: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list. In doing so, I learned that some of the shots I required would be given as a multiple series over the span of 4 weeks. Given I leave from my hometown first thing last week, seems like I started my travel appointments just in time. In fact, at one point I was concerned I wouldn’t be vaccinated in time. So learn from my almost mistake and start early.
Reading the CDC website also helped me be better informed at the travel clinic. For instance, my physician posed rabies as optional, but after reading online that rabies was recommended by the CDC for trips over a month, and if traveling through cities with stray dogs (many of which live across Southeast Asia), I knew that I would want to get it.
Finally, I have heard that it can be helpful to have copies of your prescriptions in case you are questioned about your medication. I am not sure how valid this advice is, but nevertheless have scanned my medication prescriptions to PDF and emailed them to myself so I wouldn’t have to carry around a hard copy.
If 6 shots is what it takes to get to Southeast Asia, then 6 shots it will be. Not only were they easy to tolerate, but they will give me much peace of mind. And let’s not forget to mention, I got free apple juice before every appointment!
Lessons Learned:
- Get in touch with a travel clinic early. The clinic I got in touch with suggests scheduling consults 6 months ahead of your travel. Depending on what you need, you may be able to get your shots done in a day, or over the course of a month like for me.
- To determine what vaccinations you may need, check out the CDC website.
- To final a travel clinic, ask others who have traveled overseas, or else get in touch with a local well-regarded hospital or university as they are likely to have a travel clinic or be able to provide a referral.
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