August 30, 2019
Mandatory step in travel prep, although not the funniest (probably the scariest): vaccinations!
Making up our mind on which vaccinations to be done or not for our trip was not easy and we used extensively the information referenced on travel blogs, WHO and government websites.
What was easy though was to elect where to get vaccinated: in France.
First: the same shots cost at max 1/3 of the US price
Second: Salah's dad is a doctor and can administer the shots for free, whenever, wherever (except the yellow fever that comes with an international vaccination certificate delivered by travel clinics only).
Tip: get an appointment with a travel clinic asap
In our case, Hôpital Purpan in Toulouse was giving appointments 3 months out.
Of course, we had to validate that we were up-to-date with basic shots such as diphteria, polio, tetanus, hep B. The kids were good but not the parents...
Below is the list of vaccinations that are specific to our itinerary:
Yellow Fever:
Certain regions in South America, some countries request a proof of vaccination when crossing the border from a high-risk area
One injection good for life
51€/dose at hopital Purpan in Toulouse
Hep A
Transmission through contaminated water and food, mostly in Asia and South America
Two injections done 12 month apart guarantees life-long protection
50€/dose, pharmacy in France
Typhus
In areas with poor hygiene, transmission through ingestion of salmonella-type bacteria
One dose good for 3 years
25€/dose, pharmacy in France
Japanese encephalitis
Transmission through mosquito bites in South East Asia rural areas
2 doses, at D0 and D28. Accelerated protocol for adults at D7
110€/dose, pharmacy in France.
Rabies
Transmission through contaminated animal bite in South East Asia and South America
2 doses, at D0 and D7. Several websites mention a 3rd dose but the travel clinic doctor said that 2 doses are actually sufficient according to recently-led research.
1st injection at the hospital (travel clinic) (32€), second one bought in pharmacy for 50€
Important to note: the post-bite (by contaminated animal) treatment is lighter for a vaccination individual: no need for immunoglobulins transfusion and only 3 injections (vs 5 for non-vaccinated persons).
It is certainly a lot to take in (and we are not pro-vaccination from the get-go) but we do want to take measured risks on this trip, especially traveling with young children (4 and 8). Better safe than sorry!
Salah
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