World Cruise Vaccinations?

[calmingwaters]

We are booked on a viking world cruise 2024. Would someone who is experienced with world cruises let me know if besides a Covid vaccine do you take other vaccines like Diphtheria or Malaria pills? Thanks. 

[sandiego1]

Vaccines depend on the itinerary. Every country has a different requirement/recommendation. I recommend that you find a good travel Dr or clinic. They will analyze the itinerary with you and then make specific recommendations for vaccines, prescriptions, and OTC meds.

 

My Dr’s office has an associated travel clinic. For our 1st WC, I had medical coverage through my work so we got all our visits, vaccines, and meds at a very deeply discounted rate. I retired about 8 months before that WC but was covered under that insurance for 18 months (sweet deal).

 

Now I have to buy medical insurance and travel clinics are not covered. I found that Costco has an online service for $40. It was great! I entered all of my info and itinerary online. About 2 days later I received a 70 page report via email. All vaccine and med prescriptions were automatically sent to my local Costco. The only downside is that it isn’t offered in every state. Luckily it was valid in my state.

 

We had to get Yellow Fever vaccines for our upcoming WC. At Costco, they were $178. At my Dr office it was $385 plus an office visit fee. It was going to be almost $1000 total for both is us!

[calmingwaters]

Thank you for your info. How far in advance of the departure did you visit the travel clinic?

[sandiego1]

About 6 months in advance. I wanted time to get all the vaccines. With COVID booster and flu shot too, I wanted to space them out a bit- especially Yellow Fever as it’s a live vaccine. I knew we would be getting several vaccines for this WC. I had a reaction once getting the flu and pneumonia shots on the same arm on the same day. Never again as there is no way to determine which vaccine was the culprit.

The one down side is that if the itinerary is changed and a new country added, I’ll have to check the CDC website to see if any additional vaccines are required. However, at this point I’ve had so many that I believe the only ones I’m missing is the new monkey pox and Japanese Encephalitis.

[mamacol]

That yellow fever vaccine can cause a reaction, in my experience. I had the fever, aches and pains of a flu for two days.   So spacing out vaccines is a good idea!

 

And some vaccines may not be needed if you are staying in cities. But the travel clinic is gong to know best.

Have a great trip!

 

[rkacruiser]

3 hours ago, mamacol said:

That yellow fever vaccine can cause a reaction

 

I took some Yellow Fever pills and not a vaccine.  I was told by a neighbor in a cabin next to mine that I was hallucinating during the night while I was asleep.  Had absolutely no memory of that!  When I returned home, I asked my PCP if that was possible and he said, Yes.  It is a possible side effect for some people.  

[IslandThyme]

On 9/27/2022 at 9:39 PM, sandiego1 said:

I found that Costco has an online service for $40. It was great! I entered all of my info and itinerary online. About 2 days later I received a 70 page report via email. All vaccine and med prescriptions were automatically sent to my local Costco.

Thanks for mentioning this. I had no idea that Costco offers this service, and it is available in my state. Did the Costco pharmacy administer the injections, or did they send the vaccines to your regular pharmacy?

[sandiego1]

2 hours ago, IslandThyme said:

Thanks for mentioning this. I had no idea that Costco offers this service, and it is available in my state. Did the Costco pharmacy administer the injections, or did they send the vaccines to your regular pharmacy?

The Costco pharmacy administered the vaccines and filled the prescription for Malaria meds. The Yellow Fever vaccine wasn’t covered by our insurance. Costco’s price was substantially less than my Dr

Edited October 10, 2022 by sandiego1

[SargassoPirate]

Thanks sandiego1.  I had no idea Costco offered travel shots. I checked and the service is offered in my state.  I owe you a drink some evening.

 

"Program Currently Available Only In Arizona; California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, Texas"

 

Full Service Travel Medicine Consultation Program* | Costco

 

 

[Heidi13]

20 hours ago, sandiego1 said:

The Costco pharmacy administered the vaccines and filled the prescription for Malaria meds. The Yellow Fever vaccine wasn’t covered by our insurance. Costco’s price was substantially less than my Dr

 

Yellow fever is a serious vaccine and in many countries is only provided in specialised clinics. Personally, I would not be going to a pharmacy for this vaccination.

 

Yellow Fever is a live vaccine and is not recommended for people over 60 yrs of age and those with existing medical conditions. Hopefully, Costco explained the potential severe risks of this vaccine and thoroughly reviewed your medical history, prior to administering the vaccine.

 

Personally, I have received yellow fever 3 times in my life, as it was only good for 10-years, but now being over 60 yrs of age, I would not get it again. Even my first dose when I was 17, I recall the doctor discussing the risks and checking my medical history.

[sandiego1]

33 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Yellow fever is a serious vaccine and in many countries is only provided in specialised clinics. Personally, I would not be going to a pharmacy for this vaccination.

 

Yellow Fever is a live vaccine and is not recommended for people over 60 yrs of age and those with existing medical conditions. Hopefully, Costco explained the potential severe risks of this vaccine and thoroughly reviewed your medical history, prior to administering the vaccine.

 

Personally, I have received yellow fever 3 times in my life, as it was only good for 10-years, but now being over 60 yrs of age, I would not get it again. Even my first dose when I was 17, I recall the doctor discussing the risks and checking my medical history.

Yes, the travel clinic documented all the risks in writing before we got the vaccine. Only one pharmacist at our local Costco was certified to do the YF vaccine. Many of the local CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid pharmacies I checked didn’t offer it because it’s a live vaccine. Before I was allowed book the appt, I was required to talk to the specific pharmacist that would give us the vaccine. We discussed the risks, etc. both on the phone and when we showed up to the appt. She was very thorough, even explaining that the location of the shot on your arm was different because it was a live vaccine.

 

I am 60 so could have received the waiver (but I’m a a mosquito magnet and mosquitoes can’t read the waiver if I showed it to them). DH is slightly younger so he had no issue qualifying for the vaccine. We also researched the CDC and other websites on our own so we were well informed.

 

Thankfully, neither of us had any reactions other than a very slightly sore arm.

Edited October 10, 2022 by sandiego1

[Jim Avery]

I agree with Andy. Been on two Viking WCs and no extra vaccinations. Even with two weeks of the Amazon.

[stevek2952]

We're doing a global cruise starting in January.  It's been great working with this program:

Full Service Travel Medicine Consultation Program* | Costco

 

We're catching up with good vaccinations like Hepatitis A/B as well as several specific for a global cruise.  All of our planned vaccinations are covered by our Medicare plan.

[SargassoPirate]

On 8/20/2023 at 12:21 PM, stevek2952 said:

We're doing a global cruise starting in January.  It's been great working with this program:

Full Service Travel Medicine Consultation Program* | Costco

 

We're catching up with good vaccinations like Hepatitis A/B as well as several specific for a global cruise.  All of our planned vaccinations are covered by our Medicare plan.

It's really none of my business, but I'll butt in anyway.  Medicare does not cover you outside the US. Make sure you have a supplemental plan just in case.  

[sandiego1]

On 8/20/2023 at 10:21 AM, stevek2952 said:

We're doing a global cruise starting in January.  It's been great working with this program:

Full Service Travel Medicine Consultation Program* | Costco

 

We're catching up with good vaccinations like Hepatitis A/B as well as several specific for a global cruise.  All of our planned vaccinations are covered by our Medicare plan.

We have used Costco for our travel vaccinations too. We were very pleased with the service. Prices are considerably cheaper than going to our regular Dr or local clinic.

 

I noticed that they recently added additional states. I don’t believe it was previously offered in Florida.

[At7Seas]

I absolutely agree with the need of seeing a specialised doctor for needed vaccinations. From the European view I am surprised about the horrendous prices in the USA. I knew that prices are high there, but not that they are that high. I sent my travel plan to a travel medicine doctor‘s office and made a first appointment. My insurance does not cover expenses connected to travels beyond EU borders - including connected vaccinations. This means I paid in full everything. For doctor‘s consultation I paid roughly the equivalent of 35 US$ and got not only several appointments, but at once the first vaccine, everything they had in stock. Just as example the yellow fever vaccination was about 62 US$ (vaccine and administration together). I especially mention this for all the Europeans reading here: don‘t be scared away by US prices and make an appointment with a specialist.

[SargassoPirate]

On 8/27/2023 at 4:48 AM, At7Seas said:

I absolutely agree with the need of seeing a specialised doctor for needed vaccinations. From the European view I am surprised about the horrendous prices in the USA. I knew that prices are high there, but not that they are that high. I sent my travel plan to a travel medicine doctor‘s office and made a first appointment. My insurance does not cover expenses connected to travels beyond EU borders - including connected vaccinations. This means I paid in full everything. For doctor‘s consultation I paid roughly the equivalent of 35 US$ and got not only several appointments, but at once the first vaccine, everything they had in stock. Just as example the yellow fever vaccination was about 62 US$ (vaccine and administration together). I especially mention this for all the Europeans reading here: don‘t be scared away by US prices and make an appointment with a specialist.

US drug prices are indeed very high.  The US is one of only two countries where drug companies are allowed to advertise on TV.  Anyone see the connection?

 

 

[Go-Bucks!]

On 8/22/2023 at 6:58 AM, SargassoPirate said:

It's really none of my business, but I'll butt in anyway.  Medicare does not cover you outside the US. Make sure you have a supplemental plan just in case.  

I have a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) with Aetna and it covers medical care outside of my state and outside of the USA. Regular Medicare or a Medicare Supplement plan do not.