Our feet might take us to places with known widespread infectious illnesses–putting us at high risk of contracting the disease! Vaccines are shots we can get before traveling to prevent us from being ill from these viruses. Vaccines enable the body to form antibodies against a certain virus or bacteria without catching the disease itself. (This is because the vaccine is a weakened or an incomplete form of the virus/ bacteria).
Below is the list of recommended vaccines for traveling, their recommended number and time of doses to confer lifelong protection. Take note that this does not include routine vaccines, which you should have updated at any given time (example TDaP, MMR, varicella).
Hepatitis B vaccine
Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver, which is caused by a virus transmitted through the blood stream or through sex. Now, traveling can put you at risk for this virus since high risk behaviors are rampant during traveling (sharing infected needles doing drugs, tattoo, acupuncture, unprotected sexual intercourse). So, to protect yourself from the virus, you should: not get a tattoo, don’t have unprotected sex, don’t do drugs or alcohol since it could put you in a reckless situation, or, you could just have the Hepatitis B vaccine.
Doses: 3 doses of the vaccine at 0, 1, 6 months. Costs 1,325 Php per dose.
Hepatitis A vaccine
Hepatitis A is the inflammation of the liver caused by a virus which is easily transmitted by eating contaminated food and water. This means the gastronomically adventurous and the street food lovers could easily get this virus. Don’t let it ruin your culinary adventures! Get the vaccine now!
Doses: 2 doses of the vaccine at 0 and 6 months Cost: Php 3,595 per vial; Hepa A and B vaccine combined: Doses: 3 doses of the vaccine at 0, 1, and 6 months Cost: Php 3,775 per dose.
Yellow fever vaccine
Yellow fever virus is a life-threatening infection transmitted by mosquito bites. Mild cases of the disease cause a non-specific flu-like illness. However, more severe cases cause kidney and liver failure. This vaccine is required when to travel to South America and some parts of Africa (no longer required during travel to South Africa but I took it anyway). In the Philippines, you can only get the Yellow fever vaccine at the Bureau of Quarantine near Manila Hotel. The yellow fever vaccine is a live vaccine. Live vaccines should be administered altogether or at least a month apart. Now this fact is particularly useful if you plan to have the yellow fever with another live vaccine such as the Japanese encephalitis vaccine, you have to make sure you can have both vaccines in less that 24 hour or you have to wait for another month before you can get it.
Dose: One dose of the vaccine confers life long protection. Live vaccine.
Japanese encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis is a disease caused by virus carried by mosquitoes endemic to some countries in South East Asia (Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, China). This virus causes infection of the brain, causing fever, headache, confusion and even seizures. Once you get this virus, there is no cure and treatment is just supportive.
Cost Php 2,990 for 1 dose only, confers life long protection. This is another live vaccine. Please take note of my earlier statement on live vaccines.
Polio vaccine
The polio virus is a can cause irreversible paralysis, most commonly the leg muscles. In a statement by the Department of Health, travelers going to Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries with recent outbreaks of wild poliovirus: Ukraine, Madagascar, Lao People’s Republic, Myanmar, Nigeria and Guinea. The Oral polio vaccine can be taken at the Bureau of Quarantine.
Rabies vaccine
Rabies is a virus spread by the scratch or bite of the animal harboring the virus. Examples of these animals (in particular) include: dogs, cats, bats (bat bite causes rabies and not vampirism haha), raccoon, skunks and foxes. One important fact I have to tell you about rabies is that it is one of the most fatal diseases in the world. Survival from the full blown clinical case of rabies (when you have all the symptoms of brain affectation) is extremely rare, and most cases of survivors were previously vaccinated (except for one who lived to tell the tale and she made such a headline). Hence, if you are going to the wilderness, the outskirts of the jungle and you never know what rabies-harboring animal could bite you there, it is better to have a rabies vaccine. Rabies vaccination is recommended for more than a month travel to Latin America, South East Asia, India and Africa which are some areas of the world with high endemic rabies.
Dose: Two doses at Day 0 and Day 7. Cost: 2,755 Php
Influenza vaccine
The flu vaccine is a yearly vaccine (Updates like an iPhone). This is because the flu virus is easily able to mutate in its forms, enabling it to escape the previous immunity (i.e., the previous vaccine). Flu probably won’t kill you during your travel, (it’d be gone in a week) but it is annoying to have one when you are traveling!
Dose: 1 shot a year. Cost: 1,850 Php per shot.
Meningococcal vaccine
This vaccine is directed against a bacteria that can cause infection of brain (technically, the material covering our brain called the meninges). Highly infectious and easily spread by air, you don’t want to be having this infection during travel (or at any time in your life): fever, headache, rash– could even lead you to shock. This vaccine is required when you travel to Saudi Arabia especially during Hadj as it can get really crowded.
Dose: 1 dose for life. Brand: Menactra Cost 5,000 Php
Have a vaccine-preventable disease-free travel!
Xx, Gayle
P.S. The above prices of the vaccines are prices from Makati Medical Center, Philippines. Call +63 2 8888 999 Local 2189 to enquire.
When she gets lost 