Kenya Immunizations
Today I headed to the travel clinic to get my immunizations for my trip to Kenya.
My research told me I'd be needing 9 needles but when I got there I learnt that at most, I'd need at most only 5, since some are combined with each other, and others, like Japanese encephalitis, I didn't need at all.
The vaccines suggested were:
- Dukoral (oral vaccine)- for traveller's diarrhea and cholera
- Menactra- for meningitis
- YF-Vax- for Yellow Fever
- Vivaxim- for Hepititis A and Typhoid
- MMR Booster- measles, mumps, and rubella
- Polio
The rest were not mandatory, but strongly recommended. Polio and MMR are 100% covered under Ontario Health Insurance, and the rest are covered 80-100% by my student insurance. So I figured, why not get them all? If they're recommended, I don't want to take the risk of contracting an illness while travelling just because I was afraid of some needles today.
I was feeling totally fine until I heard the nurse and doctor talking outside my room.
"She's getting all 5!"
"No way! That's brave!"
... wait, what? 5 in one day is uncommon to the point of being brave? Oh no, what have I gotten my self into? Crap.
The doctor then comes in and says she'll put 3 needles (MMR, Polio, Vivaxim) in my right arm, 1 in my left (YF-Vax) and one in my buttocks (Menactra)
BUTTOCKS?
After the first two in my right arm, the doctor paused to ask if I was feeling okay. Yes, yes, I answer. After the third she suggested I take a lie down break. I was sweaty and dizzy. It was really embarassing. It's not the pinch of the needle that bothers me, but that pressure you can feel with the fluid goes in, you know? The doctor told me it happened to lots of people, but maybe she was just being nice.
Then I put my brave face back on, sat up, but she suggested we just stay lying down. And good thing because yellow fever hurt A LOT. It took a long time too! Like 20 seconds. This one was definitely the most painful needle.
Time for the bum. Oh man. I was feeling kind of uncomfortable but it turns out "in the buttocks" just means you pull your pants down a little bit. It's more of a lower back than an upper butt cheek, really. Like no underwear removal or anything.
And that was that!
I also got a perscription for Malaria pills (Malarone) and traveller's diarrhea pills (Ciprofloxacin). Malaria is gosh darn expensive, you guys! Like $600 for 95 days worth. Good thing it is also 100% covered!
I now can't raise my arm from all the needles. I think I'm going to go wimper and a nap.
11 comments:
malaria may be more expensive if you actually catch it. ;)
Holy crap you are brave. I mean, I think you are brave for just going to Kenya by yourself, but 5 needles? crazy talk
Geez I just got MMR and my arm was all inflamed and felt like a huge bruise for four days.
You is brave.
Ah yes, should have mentioned that.
Thankfully, I never had any of the injections (and have never been asked about them). It's very unlikely you'll be exposed to yellow fever however, it's a water bourne disease and unless you're planning on drinking/living in stagnant water, I think you'll be ok.
One tip, don't drink the water - only drink bottled (that's fine) or Tusker. That'll see you through!
You're a tank Lisa!
Malarone is the best malaria drug. No side effects and very effective. I was one of the only people on my program in Senegal who had it because it was so expensive. Luckily my insurance covered it. Apparently most don't.
Weird about the meningitis shot. Mine was in my arm.
holy crap. i would have fainted.
you're HARDCORE! i'd still rather get them all at once to get them over with, though. now at least you're done!
Very impressive! I hate needles and the thought of going for five is VERY admirable! You deserve to have a couple days off - you know, to deal with the pain ;)
Um, PLEASE DON'T GET ANY OF THOSE DISEASES THAT I CAN'T PRONOUNCE.
Immunization has been called the most important public health intervention in history, after safe drinking water. It has saved millions of lives over the years and prevented hundreds of millions of cases of disease.MORE INFORMATON:
http://www.manipalcureandcare.com/wellness/immunization_clinic.aspx
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