I was given a list of vaccinations for Nepal: typhoid, hepatitis A&B, Japanese encephalitis, malaria (in Terai).
Here's some advice:
- Start your shots a month ahead of time. You will need 21 days for the hepatitis A & B which is a series of three shots, 1, 7, 21 days. By the way, it's about $70 per shot. I won't have time for the 3rd shot before I leave but my Doctor recommends getting the third shot when I come back.
- I had all perscriptions filled at the pharmacy except for the Japanese encephalitis. The Typhoid shot had to be ordered, which only took a day. It's cheaper going to your doctor than a travel clinic. The doctor charges $10 for the injection.
- I'm not an expert but I would recommend thinking twice about getting the Japanese encephalitis, unless you will be in Nepal for more than a month. It's insanely expensive ($600) and the travel doctor thought it would be nuts..and it would have to be ordered in. I didn't get the shot. This is not something you can get through your regular doctor and pharmacy.
- Malaria is not 100% necessary but recommended if going to Terai. I hope to go to Terai so I got some pills. There are different pills you can buy. I splurged on the expensive Maleron that you take everyday. Super expensive ($5/pill) but less chance of going squirrely with hallucinations. Also found out that the Leave for Change program doesn't cover Maleron. Lesson learned, read the fine print.
- Check out this useful website for vaccination details: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationList.aspx#N
If anyone asks...and for some reason I was asked...about Typhoid Mary, tell them she was a cook in the early 1900's who infected a lot of people with Typhoid. She was a carrier and was in denial so did nothing to prevent spreading the disease: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoid_Mary
I'm in Kathmandu now and the day after I arrived CECI (Rajendra) scheduled an appointment for me at the clinic. The Dr. went over the possible dangers here. In short, the Hep A/B shot is fine but won't protect you from Hep E which is what you can get in Nepal and there is no vaccination; the Typhoid shot is only 65% effective and the Japanese Encephalitis shot is not needed, and can be bought there for about $30 bucks (the Chinese version of the vaccination). He said I should have gotten a rabies shot. Make note of that. Lots of opportunities to be bitten or scratched by dogs, monkeys and goats. Also, plan for the trots and bring some antibiotics with you, get them from your doctor. I guess the bacteria here is worse than what you get in Mexico, can take you down for weeks. I've been dealing with what I think is a cold of some sort and a sore throat. So far so good...knock on wood.
ReplyDelete