Preparation: Medical
Soutpiel Safari
John & Jenny
Thu 28 Oct 2010 09:30
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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.
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