Vaccinations for RSA?

[Bwannabe]

Is there any vaccinations one should take before going to RSA?

We I was in the military, we took a ton of shot before deployment to anywhere. So taking a shot or ten is not a big deal.

Thanks
Bwannabe

 

[BRICKBURN]

Ask your doctor for your personal list really.

Depending on where you are going it will change year to year.
WHO (World Health Org) will help determine what is the doctors best course.

My list:
Hep A B
Typhoid
Tetanus
Yellow Fever, if you decide to stop of in Senegal (they may check or may not)
Malaria meds depending on time of year and where you are going in RSA.

Also, those darn ticks can be an issue in some areas.
No shots, just being aware and having some doxi along.

 

[Cliffy]

Brickburn is right on except I got my polio updated before my last trip.
Check the USA CDC website before you see you own doctor so you'll be informed. Most GPs are not up to date on African travel.
Doxicyclene is the preferred med for tick bite fever. If you get it you'll be having a big headache for day or two and be somewhat
out of sorts for 3 days or so after you start the meds. Really no big deal.
Also have your GP help you make up a travel meds bag with prescriptions. We take 30 hydrocodone with us and other stuff for the trots, an Epipen or two, benadryl etc. All just in case.
Have a good trip

 

[JamesJ]

its always a good idea to be up on your tetanus and I like to recommend a flu shot as well. Traditional safari season is also cold and flu season in South Africa, plus the confined recirculated air on the plane.
CDC recommends all common vaccinations as well as HEP A and typhoid.

 

[Divernhunter]

We hunted near Port Elizabeth and did not get any. The only thing I caught was a desire to return. There is no known Vacc for that.

 

[Code4]

If your flying direct to South Africa, there is really nothing you need apart from what you would have at home, which has been covered above.

Take some Gastro meds and broad spectrum anti-biotics if you are prone to illness. The biggest form of illness overseas is Gastro bugs leading to Diahorrea, usually caused by not being used to the water.

Don't buy food from the side of the road or drink anything suspect. There is 1st world medicine in South Africa so have your insurance paid up.

 

[Uintaelkhunter]

Watch out for the African bug. There is no known cure it causes bank accounts to run and dry daydreaming of Africa constantly. An many more trips to come. Good luck and well covered by previous threads

 

[DOC-404]

we took a ton of shot before deployment to anywhere.

..forget about the RSA and come to Namibia. The only 'shots' you'll need to have here will be JAEGERMEISTER..

 

[enysse]

We hunted near Port Elizabeth and did not get any. The only thing I caught was a desire to return. There is no known Vacc for that.

Watch out for the African bug. There is no known cure it causes bank accounts to run and dry daydreaming of Africa constantly. An many more trips to come.

The Africa hunting bug, the worst bug ever!

..forget about the RSA and come to Namibia. The only 'shots' you'll need to have here will be JAEGERMEISTER..

That is some pretty good stuff, I can drink A LOT of that stuff!

 

[BWH]

My Doc recommended Hep A, B, DTAP..... The Hep B is in 3 parts..... 1st, then wait a month 2nd, then wait 6 months for 3rd. He is going to prescribe me a few different antibiotics as well just in case. I would check with CDC and outfitter. There are prophylaxis for Malaria I believe... they are oral pills to take while there. Hope this helps.

 

[Bwannabe]

Did the Jagermeister shots in Germany when I was younger. Not my thing anymore.

 

[JGRaider]

Did the SA thing last May, hunting the NW Province. I only took a tetanus shot, and glad I did......damned buffalo thorn bush tried to take my ear off ! The guys are right about the Africa bug. I'm wanting to satisfy mine next time in Namibia.