Need Your Travel Vaccinations?
Save $$$ VS Protection—How about both?
With the prep for traveling full time, we realized that we might need to get vaccinations that we didn’t receive as children.
We started researching 'what vaccines do you need to travel?'
We took our list to our local Travel Clinic, and we left completely discouraged. One of the vaccines was $640 per person, PER PERSON. The prices of the vaccinations made us contemplate whether or not we should chance our safety and health in order to save money.
We decided that we would spend the money on vaccinating our toddler so that she would be protected.
Then I stumbled upon the International Society of Travel Medicine.
"Located in more than 90 countries, clinics offer pre-travel immunizations, counseling, and medicines to help protect travellers while travelling internationally."—ISTM
We were so ecstatic. After researching their website and locations, we decided to make our vaccination appointments in Bangkok, Thailand at the Thai Travel Clinic.
The vaccine we wanted was $16 per person, 40x cheaper.
A few vaccines that you might be interested in getting:
- Hepatitis A can be contracted by contaminated food and water. Brazil, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, and Thailand are the most popular countries visited with cases of outbreaks.
- Japanese Encephalitis is a Mosquito-borne virus, similar to West Nile Virus. It has devastating side effects that can cause permanent brain damage or even death. If visiting the following countries, I would highly recommend this vaccination: Burma, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, South Korea, and Vietnam.
- Rabies (pre and post-exposure) is transmitted by infected animals. Pre-Rabies shots (three in total) need to be done 28 days before your trip. Two of the shots need to be done within a specific time frame. If you believe to have been bitten or in contact/exposed, seek medical attention ASAP.
- Typhoid is contracted through contaminated food and water. If you do not want to be given a shot, an oral tablet can be administered. Speak with a Travel Vaccine Advisor about what countries you plan to visit.
- Yellow Fever, you may have heard of it, is a Mosquito-Borne illness. Yellow fever is found abundantly in African and South American countries. If you are traveling to any countries that have yellow fever present, you will be required to show proof of the yellow fever vaccine when traveling to or traveling from yellow fever countries. You will be turned away if you are not vaccinated or are unable to show proof.
- Traveler’s Diarrhea is very common among travelers. Especially those traveling internationally. There is no vaccine to prevent this, however there is medication that can help with the diarrhea and stomach problems.
- Traveler’s Gut is something that I definitely get when I travel. My stomach aches, I feel crummy, gassy, and just… blehh. I read about another blogger feeling the same, and she suggested Charcoal pills. I do not travel without them now. (It is not recommended for anyone who takes medications regularly, as the charcoal will absorb the medication).
- Malaria is a Mosquito-borne disease caused by parasites, gross. There are pills, called antimalarials that need to be taken on a regular basis. The countries most affected by malaria are Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, India, Thailand, and China. Speak with a Travel Vaccine Advisor about the areas you will be traveling.
- Dengue Fever is another Mosquito-borne virus. There is a vaccine, but may not be able in all countries. If you are exploring Burma, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, Honduras, Barbados, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Southern USA, Africa Egypt, Israel, or Libya, speaking with a Travel Vaccine Advisor can share how to protect yourself from contracting dengue fever.
If you choose to visit a Travel Clinic overseas, make sure that it is at the beginning of your adventures. It will do you no good to get the vaccines at the middle or end of your voyage.
The best advice would be to visit a local Travel Advisor who can explain what vaccines and why they would be important in the area(s) that you will be exploring.
I highly recommend visiting the International Society of Medicine website, and finding a vaccine clinic in the area you will be traveling to.
Educate yourself. Protect yourself.
About the Creator
Dream Traveler
We are the Dream Travelers. We travel full time, sharing tips & tricks, photos, and experiences.
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