Amazon and Yellow Fever Inoculation

[tnr]

We are taking a cruise in November to the Amazon. In looking at the side effects of the yellow fever injections (especially for those over 60), one of the possible side effects appears to be worse than the disease. Do most of you who have traveled this part of the world get the injections? I am actually considering canceling the trip rather than getting the shot.:(

[VidaNaPraia]

Find a good travel medicine clinic on your area and discuss your concerns with a specialist, a professional, rather than ask for anecdotes here.

A professional who knows Brazil may also be able to tell you about any mosquito risk in the Amazon region where most tourists find themselves.

 

How do you intend to deal with the risk of dengue fever, a common problem in most places in Brazil, including urban areas like Rio, and one for which there is no injection? Effective measures for dengue can also be helpful for other mosquito borne diseases.

Edited February 23, 2014 by VidaNaPraia

[Floridiana]

Vida is right.

My anecdote. ;)

We are over 60 and had no side effects whatsoever. Some people on our cruise brought a doctor's excuse letter. Since we went there at the very beginning of the rainy season, we saw no rain and no mosquitos.

[Ontariotrekker]

I was on HAL's Amazon Explorer in Nov/Dec and, under advice of a travel clinic doctor got the yellow fever shot. I had no side effects ( 61, female, very overweight ) and like most folks on the cruise did not see one mosquito. I was glad I had it though because I did get bitten while on a cruise in January in the Caribbean.

 

However, you can get a note from your doctor to say you can't have one. You will need the shot or the note to get on board the ship since they do check and refuse embarkation.

 

 

 

Shar

[Gunner22aa]

I agree that your best course of action is to speak with your personal doctor. That being said I have had one every 5 years for my 40 year career in the military. Because of being sent to equatorial Africa I have also had virtually every other vaccination on the planet as well. I can tell you that Yellow Fever is the only one I react to other than a sore spot where I got it. With Yellow Fever I start feeling flu like symptoms within about 2 hours of getting it. Overall stiffness and a low grade fever. I go straight home and to bed. 24 hours later its like it never happened.

[KirkNC]

We got the shots about 2 months ago with no ill effects. We went to a travel doctor and they went through the risks.

[tnr]

Thanks everyone for your input. We did go to a travel clinic and when they explained the possible problems, I just freaked out. But, you have all convinced me that it is really needed. Yellow fever shot here we come:D

[marky63]

wife and I had exact same reaction as Gunner, we did not do much the AM , missed work, but felt fine after 24 hrs

[Kempa]

I went to Brazil recently on a non-cruise trip. My itinerary included time in Sao Paulo, where yellow fever is not endemic, and Manaus, where it is.

 

I checked my local clinic in the US. It would have cost me $80 to speak to a doctor, plus $200 for the vaccine. Instead, I took it in Sao Paulo at a government clinic for free.

 

I'm 47 and I didn't have any side effects at all.

[J-D]

From what I've read (I am no expert), the protection against yellow fever is not considered to be effective until 10 days after the vaccination. One would need to be sure to be vaccinated at least that far in advance of the date when the vaccination is required to be effective.

 

John

Edited February 28, 2014 by J-D

[scubacruiserx2]

From what I've read (I am no expert), the protection against yellow fever is not considered to be effective until 10 days after the vaccination. One would need to be sure to be vaccinated at least that far in advance of the date when the vaccination is required to be effective.

 

John

 

Right John

 

CDC recommends 6 weeks in advance for any vaccination and only certain clinics supposedly have the Yellow Fever. Good for several years.

 

 

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2014/chapter-8-advising-travelers-with-specific-needs/last-minute-travelers

 

Documentation of a yellow fever vaccine becomes valid 10 days after administration. If a yellow fever vaccine is required by a country in the traveler’s itinerary and the traveler lacks sufficient time, it may be necessary to rearrange the order of travel or reschedule the trip. Otherwise, the traveler risks entry problems at the country’s border or risks yellow fever vaccination at the border. Additionally, the traveler who receives the yellow fever vaccine <10 days before entering a yellow fever risk area risks yellow fever infection.