Vaccinations before cruising?

We are first time cruisers and have been told that we should get some vaccinations before going. We are going to the Caribbean and have been recommended to get Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid and E Coli vaccinations. Agree or disagree?

We check with our travel clinic or on our government website what is recommended. We definitely have the Hep A/B vaccine.

Your physician is the one you should be asking. Having said that, we have never gotten vaccinated before taking a cruise.

We are first time cruisers and have been told that we should get some vaccinations before going. We are going to the Caribbean and have been recommended to get Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid and E Coli vaccinations. Agree or disagree?

We have been on about 20 cruises and have never had vaccinations.

For the Caribbean we've never needed any vaccinations that we don't normally take at home in the USA. ;)

I am a medical professional and have never heard of an e. coli vaccine. It would lead to constant diarrhea (if one exists) because e.coli is normal flora in your gut. EM

You need to check with a local Travel Clinic, advising them of specific countries you will visit. They will provide a list of vaccinations that are required or suggested.

We don't cruise the Caribbean, but I doubt any are actually required, although Hep A/B is probably recommended.

Over the years we have probably received most of the travel related vaccinations, but like the previous poster, have never heard of an e.coli vaccination.

Rather than e.coli, did they possibly recommend Dukaral, which is an OTC (in Canada) medication that prevent against diarrhea.

None are required. Your doctor might want you to have inoculations for your own health, whether you go somewhere or not....but you don't have to get any to cruise to your destination.

Hep A/B are standard vaccinations in many countries. Personally, I wouldn’t get typhoid for the Caribbean but if your doctor recommends it, maybe there’s a reason. I’ve never heard of an E. coli vaccine; it’s a bacteria, not a virus. I have taken antibiotics prophylactically but, again, wouldn’t for the Caribbean. I haven’t ever gotten vaccines specifically for a Caribbean cruise.

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We have been on about 20 cruises and have never had vaccinations.

Same here - no vaccinations for Europe or Caribbean. Only required vaccinations I had were on a land visit to India!

Not required for the Carib, but a good idea to make sure you Tetanus is up to date. I get one every 5 years, due to some places I travel.

They no recommend at least a one time adult polio booster.

Hep A and B are a good idea for everyone.

Typhus is probably not necessary for Carib.

Pneumonia vaccine for older folks.

But as has been mentioned, take to a travel clinic (your normal doctor may not be up to date on travel medicine), CDC pages, and also your normal primary care doctor.

Never heard of Typhoid being needed unless you are doing an expedition which requires it. And as mentioned, there is no such thing as an E. coli vaccine as it is normal flora in the gut.

It depends on where you are going.

But it can be good after things like storms which can compromise water systems.

EVERYONE should have the Hep vaccinations whether the are cruising or not.

DON