Comments on: Ethiopia: Which immunizations are required for travel?

By: Mary Owlhaven

Mary Owlhaven — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:10:59 +0000

Check with your doctor, but I personally would not give a yellow fever shot to a 3 year old. I WOULD minimize exposed skin, use plenty of mosquito spray and not be out around dawn or dusk. A bed net would be a good idea too.

Just my take on it….
Mary

By: cknbus

cknbus — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:43:39 +0000

Has anyone gotten the yellow fever shot for a 3 year old? How did they react? We would like to travel outside of Addis with our 3 year old but are concerned about the yellow fever shot. I have a horrible fear of that shot because my university runs and Engineers without Borders program and a group was going to Guatemala to do some work, they all got yellow fever shots and one of the girls died from it. It seems pretty rare, and I don’t know if she had a previous medical condition, but scary just the same.

By: Mary Owlhaven

Mary Owlhaven — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 06:24:34 +0000

Alecia,

I think there are a variety of OK ways to do the shots. Some people opt to get EVERYTHING that's offered. Others go to Ethiopia without having one shot. I think you just have to inform yourself and make the decision regarding shots that gives you the most peace of mind.

Mary

By: leeshalou

leeshalou — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 03:08:12 +0000

Dear Mary,
I traveled to Cambodia in March/April and they allowed all the aerosol cans I packed in my checked bags. You may only carry one small ziploc bag on your carry on and I had a small aerosol can in it and it was fine too. Also, I did get lots of my shots free at the hospital I worked at or maybe you can at the local health dept. What about typhoid? It was one of the big ones recommended for me. Alecia

By: shanawhite78

shanawhite78 — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 20:07:31 +0000

We traveled with aerosol cans both to Addis in January, and Hawaii in April, with no problems.

By: Mary Owlhaven

Mary Owlhaven — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 20:00:54 +0000

Excellent point, Lynn. Our entire family (except my hubby) did the Hep A series when our two year old came home in 2005, so he and the two year old were the only ones who still needed it.

By: lynn33

lynn33 — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 19:33:52 +0000

My husband and I are currently taking a series of shots for travel later in the year (hopefully!)

Do ask if your insurance will cover the shots; so far everything has been covered.

Also, in IL we were told that everyone living in the household with the new child must have the Hep A & B shots as a precaution for accidental exposure. Our 8 year old son is not traveling with us but is getting the shots.

Better to play it safe!

By: buffra

buffra — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 19:07:41 +0000

If people *do* decide to get the yellow fever vaccine, they should be prepared for several hours of feeling miserable.

I had it before going to Peru (with a class group) and nearly all of us were sick. It struck very suddenly, half-way through the day — a fever, shakiness, and basically a need to lie down. But it passed just as quickly, less than 24 hours, and is good for 10 years.

By: Darla

Darla — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 18:45:20 +0000

The nurse didn’t recommend Meningococcal vaccine most likely because you are not traveling during the outbreak time of December thru June, but anyone else traveling during these months should consider it. Here is a link to the CDC info page:

http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=dis&obj=menin.htm