Do I need shots?

[sberanek]

I'm going to Jamaica and I was wondering if I will need Hepatitis A and/or B shots? I will probablly be going outside of the resort areas at some point(s) and was wondering if I should get those shots?

Thanks,
Shannon

 

[Otter]

Check the US travel advisory website and/ or CDC website. There are two shots for HEP-A....the second is taken 6 months after the first (IIRC). Not sure how protected you are between shots 1 and 2 so depending on your timing, it may be moot.

 

[ronbeau]

I'm going to Jamaica and I was wondering if I will need Hepatitis A and/or B shots? I will probablly be going outside of the resort areas at some point(s) and was wondering if I should get those shots?

Thanks,
Shannon

Hep A is two shots 6 months apart.

Hep B is three shots one shot, then another 1 month later and then a third one 5 months after the second one.

CDC generally suggests Hep A and Hep B shots for almost anywhere.

These shot don't hurt at all. Just a little pin prick as the nurse gives you the shot. You can get the Hep A and Hep B shots at the same time.

I suggest you check the following URL

http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationJamaica.aspx

They are also suggesting Malaria vaccination for certain areas of Jamaica.

P.S.

wwwn is correct in the CDC URL shown above

 

[vladimir]

Check the US travel advisory website and/ or CDC website. There are two shots for HEP-A....the second is taken 6 months after the first (IIRC). Not sure how protected you are between shots 1 and 2 so depending on your timing, it may be moot.

You can get an immunoglobulin shot concurrent with the first hepatitis-A shot to provide protection in the interim.

 

[DeputyDan]

Yes - You should get these whether you are travelling or not!

 

[MEL-DC Diver]

I even have my first 3 rabies shots, just in case I ever get bitten when traveling around.

Yes, I know - good for me.

 

[sberanek]

I got my Hep. A shot, Tetnus/dyptheria/protussis shot (hadn't had one since '89 so this was just generally reccomended), and oral typhoid meds. If I was going to Kingston I would need anti-malarials too.

I didn't get the Hep. B because it wouldn't have been active in time, there wasn't much need for it, and I could only afford some shots since the University makes us pay for them now and my student health insurance (also through the U of I) doesn't have a med/prescription plan.

The shots didn't hurt at all... the side effect from the tetnus has been killing me all week. I feel like a boxer used my arm as a punching bag. I even made sure I was relaxed and didn't tense up.

--Shannon