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phiplm · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Wiltshire

Hi

I would like to know if rabies vaccination is recommended for this trip - when I visted Tanzania in 2001 they were not essential so I would have to have the full 3 jabs.
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Linda Phipps

admin · Site Admin Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 57

Hi Linda,

The bottom line is that you need to get your local Practice Nurse or Doctor to advise you on travel vaccination requirements for a given country. However, our Health Advisor has said this about Tanzania this year.

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RECOMMENDED IMMUNISATIONS FOR TANZANIA

Please start organising these at least 2 to 3 months before travel if possible.

• Yellow Fever Please bring your certificate with you on the project.

• Tetanus

• Diphtheria

• Polio

• Typhoid

• Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis B Strongly advised for this project. A course of 3 injections over 1, 2 or 6 months, the longer the regime the better the efficacy.

• Meningitis ACWY

• Rabies A course of 2 or 3 injections over 1 month will prime culosis Most people will have had this in childhood, a scar on the upper your immune system and allow you up to 72 hours to obtain medical help, it will not be sufficient treatment on it’s own. Rabies is a fatal disease so if you are bitten clean the wound thoroughly and SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE IMMEDIATELY. Please do not pet warm blooded animals.

• Cholera The new oral vaccine may be advised for this project when an outbreak is anticipated or being reported. Check www.who.int/wer/ for up to date advice.

• Malaria Malaria risk is very high. Recommended tablets are: Mefloquine (Larium), Doxycycline or Malarone. Malaria mosquitoes are most active from dusk to dawn. You are advised to wear long sleeves and long trousers/skirts at this time and use an insect repellent containing 50% Deet. If you don’t get bitten you won’t get malaria.

Bilharzia Lakes Victoria and Malawi carry a very high risk of Bilharzia and other water
borne diseases. Please do not paddle or bathe in the Lakes or their tributaries.

HIV/AIDS Always be AIDS aware.

It is advisable to obtain antibiotics from your GP to be used in severe cases of diarrhoea for this project. However prevention is still the most important thing i.e. thorough hand washing, drinking only clean water and eating thoroughly cooked food.
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This info is lifted from the Participants Information pack that will be posted out shortly.

Warm regards,

John

Pippa · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 8 Location: Exeter

I understand that the vaccines posted are the recommended jabs for the trip and Rabies is included in this. However, as the Rabies jab is quite expensive and trip is only 3 weeks long, I was wondering if it was absolutely necessary. I would be happy to pay the amount if it was, but I was wondering if the place we are going to has a good hospital within 24 hours? This would be my decider in whether I should get it.
Thanks

Kathy · Joined: 23 Oct 2005 Posts: 12

Hi Pippa, I will speak to the couple leading the Tanzania project about how near the hospital is and get back to you. Richard and Jane have led this project for us for the last three years and have first hand knowledge of the area. The Tanzania project is now full. There are 15 people on the team. Kind regards, Kathy.

Pippa · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 8 Location: Exeter

Thanks Kathy, much appreciated!
Pippa