Yellow Fever - South America
 

Not sure whether to get the vaccination or not. Its £70 in the UK!

Will be in Brazil, Bolivia briefly and maybe equador. Is it worth it.?

vaccination
 

vaccination is not nessecary but in some area it maybe advisable , you can shoot in south america for cheap but the yellow fever require 3 different shot at a certain time frame so in a short trip its not possible.

No. The Yellow Fever vaccine is a single dose. Full immunity takes 10 days. Most people are ok with the vaccine, but some are not, and a qualified doctor's advice is always best--one reason to pay extra and have it at home.

Sorry Hendikaf, but your post is a wonderful example of the inadvisability of relying on internet forums for medical advice.

Mark

It is probably worthwhile to get it if you are going to the rainforest mosquito infested areas. If not you could take a chance and save some money.

But, be aware, here in Oz, I may be refused re-entry to my own country without proof of prior vaccination. You may need to check your countries regulations to see if it is mandatory?

I always sit on the side of caution..

I've paid some silly money for injections and vaccines etc.

£70 will seem like NO money at all when you're in a 3rd world hospital with a potentially fatal disease.

The choice and risk is yours.....

Yellow Fever
 

Thanks Guys, I just wanted to hear your views. I will be getting the vacine before I come over.

Just on the point re proof on entry, I will be heading for OZ from Santiago at some point. How exactly do you prove you've had injections? Should I see my GP/nurse for some sort of signed confirmation. That is possibly the only thing I havent thought abut!

Thanks

David

Hi David, I think that Yellow Fever is the only jab doc that you need to carry with you as proof that you have indeed had the vaccination. It can only be given, in the UK anyway, at centres that are cleared to do it and hold stocks. It usually is not a great problem but it is one of the few jabs that gives me a stiff and sore arm for a day or so. The certificate is green and valuable, I kept mine in my Passport and it was blatantly nicked in front of me by the Honduran immigration officer who then denied the existence of it, so keep it separate and don't bring it out unless it is asked for. Before you ask, the centre that gives you the vaccination keep records and you can get a duplicate, not as expensive as £70.00 but still a waste of beer coupons. Ride safe.

Never heard of a green "yellow card." Maybe that's why yours was stolen, Mike.

When you get a yellow fever vaccination you should get an official yellow card, which is actually a booklet and is accepted internationally. It includes room to enter other vaccination information, which is handy to have in one place (but not required at borders anywhere in the world). If yours is green, don't staple it into your passport.

I always ask for a signed notation which mentions "cholera" whenever I have something added to my vaccination lists. That's because I've had a couple of occasions where I was asked to show proof of cholera vaccination, presumably in hopes of extracting bribes. It's not necessary to actually get the jab itself (which is getting more effective, but has never really been that useful): just the notation with a stamp or signature. Mine usually say "Cholera: not medically indicated."

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Hi Mark, you may be right, you usually are but this certificate was on it's 5 stamp when that bloody Honduran illegitimate person nicked it so it may have just turned green with old age. To look on the bright side it was due to run out in 6 months so I hope that the person I presume it was sold to went to an outbreak zone that required a cert. to get into, stayed there for and 6mths and 1 day then experienced a horrible demise or better still survived long enough to get back to Honduras and infected the supplier who then had one of the aforementioned demises. Anyone know how to spell vindictive?

Ride safe.

Heh heh heh. I can't spell "vindictive," but I can sure spell "equanimity."

I'll be riding mainly to and from my job (8 months and counting) for the next couple of years, I'm afraid. Oh, plus a quick trip to West Africa later this month, and whatever else I can fit in.

enjoy,

Mark