Preparation: Medical

Soutpiel Safari
John & Jenny
Thu 28 Oct 2010 09:30
About four months ago, before we went sailing in Nova Scotia, we consulted the Travel Clinic at our local GP surgery and agreed a programme of vaccinations for this trip through West Africa. We had the first set of injections in June and two more sets in October with the final set due next Monday.  We are rather like pin cushions, but fortunately have had no adverse reactions.
 
When complete, we shall have had vaccinations against the following:
    Yellow fever - mandatory for entering some countries
    Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Meningitis, Typhoid, Rabies and in addition John has had the annual 'flu vaccination.
 
Most of these have been free but we have had to pay for Yellow Fever (£ 45 each) and Rabies and meningitis (£177.25 each).
 
The only one in contention is malaria. Jenny has always used a homeopathic preventative in Africa for malaria and has found that she has been protected where others in the same party using malaria prophylaxis such as Larium and Malarone contracted malaria.  It seems that all the recognised prophylaxis cause side effects in some form or other and they are very expensive, especially if taken for the 3-4 months during which we shall be at risk. We have therefore elected to use the homeopathic option. We will also be using the incredibly effective South African insect repellant Tabard and taking all the usual precautions of covering up bare skin after dusk, sleeping under a mosquito net etc.
 
We have yet to buy, but shall be taking a set of sterile needles, syringes etc as well as a good medical kit.