Vaccinations suck
There are many fun and way cool things to do to get ready for a trip around the world. Buy new clothes, get new laptops, build a webpage, new cameras, travel guides, plane tickets, YHA cards, travel visas, thumbdrives, DEET, flip flops and sunglasses.
One of the not-so-fun items on our to do list is getting vaccinations.
Ugh, vaccinations – that necessary evil of leaving behind all the comforts of home and going out into a world that your immune system and digestive system can’t readily handle, not to mention any activities you may feel inclined to do that the safe bubble of daily life doesn’t expose you to.
My call with the travel center was longer than I expected – over 45 minutes. “What countries will you be traveling to”? “Will you be visiting only urban areas, or will you be going into rural areas too?” “What type of accommodations will you be staying in?” “What activities will you be participating in?” – I didn’t know I needed a vaccine to bungy jump in New Zealand !
Of course I haven’t kept up with my shots, so it looks like I’ll have to get them all – Christine works for the schools so she has her vaccination records, lucky girl.
Malaria tablets, Hepatitis A & B shots, Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR), Tetanus, Tuberculosis, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis Polio . . .
. . . don’t forget the Pepto either.
Avoid contact with farm animals, avoid direct contact with live poultry, or sick/dying chickens and ducks. Avoid food stalls that appear to be unsanitary. Avoid food that may not have been cooked to 165* and avoid cooked food that isn’t still steaming hot.
Boy, they take the fun out of everything! We might as well roll around Phuket in our matching protective bubbles with elbow pads and bright red helmets !
New blog post: Vaccinations http://www.bertandpatty.com/?p=227