I am not a doctor, and so this is not in any way professional advice. It is intended to be a considered sniff test on the choices a true traveler might make. Here is a great resource for real travel medicine advice Centers for Disease Control
Vaccinations fall into the category of things that you should do well in advance. A couple of the regimens take more than six months to complete, so make sure to get those done while you are living in one place, with access to clinics and predictable schedules, and a refrigerator. Budget for them – my regimen cost well over $1,000. I have since been educated that many health insurance plans cover most vaccinations! Many medium sized towns have Health Departments that can help with this prophylactic treatment, while larger places have dedicated travel medicine specialists.
I hope that you had responsible parents who had you inoculated against Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and other diseases as a child. If not, it is time to catch up. Check with the clinic to see what they recommend, and compare it to your foggy memory and non-existent records. In addition to the full recommended childhood regimens, this is what I added prior to launching my travels:
TDAP – Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis. If you have ever cut yourself badly and visited an Emergency Department or walk in health clinic, they asked you about this. Absolutely critical to have this.
Cholera – There is a lot of squirrely hygiene in the world, and this can get into your drink and food, so get this vaccine. In retrospect, based on that premise, I should have got this when I was living like a slob in University.
Polio – You should already have had this, but if not, get it now.
Hepatitis A – Usually from contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis B – Usually from infected blood or blood products.
Hepatitis C – I did not get this, but do your own research to see if it makes sense.
Typhoid – I do not want to get sick with Typhoid.
Japanese Encephalitis – Made sense to me.
Yellow fever – As of this writing there is a shortage of vaccine in the US, and instead customers are offered an ‘experimental’ course, complete with signed waivers, of a medication that is in wide use around the world. A number of countries, and zones within countries, require a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate (‘yellow card’) as a condition for entry. They are doing you a favour by requiring that you are protected from a horrible endemic disease before you visit. The yellow card has space for you to list your other vaccinations. Be sure to make photocopies and upload images to the cloud. If you lose the card, or it disintegrates (which it quickly does in hot, sweaty places – precisely the ones where it is required), you can obtain a replacement. You can get yellow fever vaccination treatment on the road, and wait a prescribed period before entering a country, but why wait.
Influenza – Of course you should get a flu shot every Autumn. During your travels you will be in close contact with a lot of people from a lot of places, and there is no reason to get ill if you do not have to. The vaccine is not 100% effective, but some protection is better than none.
Tuberculosis – This disease (BCG) is rare in the US population, but common in many other countries. I got the vaccination as a kid and and am glad I did.
Malaria – New on the scene is a partially effective vaccine. I am not ready for it yet, but there is prophylactic treatment available, taken as pills before, during, and after visiting a high risk region. Take notice of regional health advisories as it may be indicated in only a part of a particular country. During your health interview for vaccinations, tell the doctor that you will be spending six months in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or some other affected country of your choice, so that you have six months of pills in inventory for when you actually need them. Saves the hassle and expense of another clinic visit. Be aware that Dengue fever is often endemic in malarial regions. There is no chemical protection from dengue. In Mauritius, a health official came to my hotel to test me for malaria. That was a first.
Rabies – Seldom even offered. I have not received this yet. If you do not subscribe to this course of shots my advice is to avoid feeding and petting all street dogs and cats, no matter how adorable they are.
Shingles – If you have ever had shingles, you know that you do not want to have that experience again. As far as I can discern this is more of a mature adult choice, but ask about it.
COVID – Do not even get me started…..
Once completed, make sure to record the dates of the treatments in as many places – physical, virtual, cloudy, photographic, family member desk drawer – as possible. Perhaps add an event in your calendar (ten years ahead – just to remind you) to get that TDAP booster.
