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Yellow Fever Vaccination
I was on the CDC website and it doesn't say that the yellow fever vaccination is required. I have a friend who went on this tour in February and he told me he had a reaction to the shot. Yet, my doctors office told me they didn't know anyone who had a reaction to the shot.
Is everyone getting a Yellow Fever vaccination?
Is everyone getting a Yellow Fever vaccination?
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It is a confusing issue. Our health professional said it is not 'required' under our cicumstances. If you look at the Tanzania Embassy website it says it is required if you have been in a yellow fever area ... like Kenya. But we are going to Tanzania first, unless we miss our connecting flight. But, even then, if you just connect to another flight in Nairobi, not required. Unless that flight is delayed or cancelled, before you eventually end up in Kenya ... where they have yellow fever. Why would you not get the shot? We got the shots, and it takes some time, and it is not as easy as getting a flu shot! The reason congress was not in session in the summer in the 'old' days .... yellow fever. And do I want some guy on the night shift in Tanzania who may make the TSA look like Mensa members deciding that I need a yellow fever shot? No!
Cheers,
Jan
" All travellers coming from endemic countries are required to produce evidence of yellow fever vaccination. Travellers from non-endemic countries travelling through endemic countries are subject to yellow fever vaccination only if they stay outside the airport or have a long connection up to 12 hours."
So technically it is not "REQUIRED" by the country, that is different to not been "RECOMMENDED" I got my yellow fever vaccine on my first trip to Africa and I am about to go on my third trip, so I do not have to worry about another vaccine, in fact, latest research says that you no longer require a ten year booster, it lasts a lifetime. There has never been a reported case of yellow fever from anyone who has had a vaccine in their lifetime whether it be way past ten years or not. Further research told me when I looked some time ago shows that it depends on whichever health authorities you look at as to whether they still recommend the second vaccine.
"Malaria and dengue fever are common to Tanzania. There have also been recent cases of sleeping sickness occurring after bites from tsetse flies in the north, including the Serengeti. Other diseases, such as cholera and rift valley fever, occur mostly in rural areas where access to sanitation is limited"
I thought I would try to find some information on how many travelers get Yellow fever per year, but I guess this depends on when there are outbreaks if any each year. if I find figures, I'll post them.
Malaria is different, quite a few Americans get malaria each year, even the gorgeous George Clooney got it, and he was quite ill!
What kind of "reaction" are we talking about to the yellow fever vaccine did the Dr. mean, it could have been as minor as a sore arm.
I feel so sorry for all our poor scientists busting their guts for years and years to help us be immune to all these diseases and then we fob off a single injection that might save our lives.
so here is a link that is from April this year https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/306941/Green_Book_Chapter_35_v3_3.pdf
This shows the risks. You and your Dr. should make the decisions, I really should not be making a choice or decision for you, as no one else should be on this site. We can provide some thoughts to consider, that's all
Speak to your professionally qualified medical practitioner. You require medical facts not anecdotes. Then you can travel with Tauck and rejoice in the wonders of Africa in peace.
Whether or not you get any particular non-required vaccination is, of course, your choice, and is something that should be discussed with a healthcare professional familiar with your medical history. At Tauck, we generally advise that people get vaccinations for any endemic diseases that might either impede your travel experience, or that you might potentially end up bringing home with you if you decide not to get a vaccine. We also advise that you check the CDC and WHO websites for more information.
I hope this helps!
-Tim