Travel Vaccines: What You Need and What You Don't

Hate sharp, pointy objects wielded by masochist nurses? Yeah, me too. However, here are some vaccines worth going closing your eyes, gritting your teeth and going under the needle for, all for safety. For more info on deciding which meds are best for you, check out Drug Trouble: The Travel Vaccine Debate.

Vaccine: Hepatitis A
What Does It Do: Prevents Hepatitis A, a disease affecting the liver, causing high fever and abdominal pain for a period of 12 weeks. Infection results from the consumption of contaminated or dirty fruit, vegetables or water, and can be passed from person to person.
Who Needs It: Travelers going just about anywhere.
How Much Is It Going to Cost: $50-100 bucks. Lifetime coverage requires 2 shots, although one will work for 1-2 years.
Chances of Infection: It's one of the more expensive, but highly recommended, vaccines. Travel to high risk areas (basically, most countries outside of Western Europe, Australia and the United States) without the vaccine is discouraged, as chances of infection are high. Those without the vaccine should avoid dirty or damaged food or contaminated water. However, this can be very difficult to do.
Alternatives and Other Notes: Hepatitis A has no cure.

Vaccine: Hepatitis B
What Does It Do: Protects against Hepatitis B, a disease passed from person-to-person through bodily fluids. Symptoms are similar to those presented by Hepatitis A, with an equal recovery time.
Who Needs It: Anyone going anywhere.
How Much Is It Going to Cost: Series of three shots are required, for less than $50 bucks a pop. Start receiving vaccinations months before you depart.
Chances: Not as high as Hepatitis A, but still no walk in the park to avoid the disease. Stay away from any piercing of the skin and NO UNPROTECTED SEX! Try not to touch anyone - sweat will pass it along too.
Alternatives and Other Notes: Hepatitis B has no treatments. Ten percent of all suffers will become chronic carries. Approximately 40% of the population has been affected with the disease.

Vaccine: Japanese Encephalitis
What Does It Do: Bad, bad things. Passed via mosquitos in agricultural areas, this disease doesn't show symptoms in 99% percent of its 'victims'. However, the remainder must suffer through a disease that attacks your brain, affects your nervous system and kills you 30% of the time, causing brain damage in 50% of the survivors.
Who Needs It: Asia visitors, especially those in India.
How Much Is It Going to Cost: Quite a bit...better stash away at least $200 bucks.
Chances: Low, low, low chance of infection, but oh so nasty.
Alternatives and Other Notes: Cover up and cross your fingers that you aren't one of the unlucky ones. Vaccination requires a three-dose disbursement over a six week time period.

Vaccine: Meningococcal Meningitis
What Does It Do: Prevents meningitis, passed from person-to-person, especially through coughing. This is a particularly nasty bacteria, which enters into your spinal cord tissue, causing fever, vomiting, rash, and, often times, death.
Who Needs It: Africa travelers and those planning to be surrounded by lots of people.
How Much Is It Going to Cost: It'll set you back $50-$100.
Chances: Many people carry this disease without knowing it, increasing your risk. When caught, the disease is fatal 50% of the time without treatment and still 10% of the time under a doctor's care.
Alternatives and Other Notes: You can't really do anything to avoid this one, unless you plan on walking around with a face mask and avoiding people.

Vaccine: Polio
What Does It Do: A single booster of your childhood shot will take care of you for the rest of your life, which has been virtually wiped out in a majority of the world. Polio is passed through contaminated food and water, and can cause paralysis and even death.
Who Needs It: India Seekers
How Much Is It Going to Cost: Little
Chances: You probably aren't going to get this disease, but for a low amount of money, it can result in a high peace of mind.
Alternatives and Other Notes: Shots and oral drugs are available.

Vaccine: Tickborne Encephalitis
What Does It Do: This tick-borne illness doesn't do anything to most people. The unlucky 10% get stuck with the flu, and one-in-ten of those will come down with severe symptoms, which can result in death.
Who Needs It: Hikers, Campers, Woodsy Peeps
How Much Is It Going to Cost: A pretty penny
Chances: Pretty darn low
Alternatives and Other Notes: Avoid ticks. Meaning, avoid heavily forested areas and check thoroughly for 'em afterwards and be on the lookout for that 'flu feeling'. DEET and skin coverings can do wonders as well.

Vaccine: Typhoid
What Does It Do: Although it only has a protection rate of 80%, the typhoid vaccines helps diminish the risk of this disease, contacted via contaminated food and water. Without antibiotics after infection, the disease is fatal is 10-20% of the time. Symptoms include fever, headache, weakness, and rash.
Who Needs It: Travelers venturing to areas where food and water contamination is a serious concern, such as Africa, Indian Subcontinent and parts of Asia.
How Much Is It Going to Cost: Relatively inexpensive.
Chances: Typhoid can be cured with antibiotics with early detection, and is affective 99% of the time. The disease kills half a million people worldwide each year. If you suspect infection, see a doctor immediately.
Alternatives and Other Notes: Oral tablets or injections are available, with differing protection lengths.

Vaccine: Yellow Fever
What Does It Do: Prevents yellow fever, a disease with flu-like traits in its less-severe forms but yellowing of the skin and internal bleeding in worse scenarios. Passed via mosquitos.
Who Needs It: Travelers visiting warm, tropical areas, both rural and urban.
How Much Is It Going to Cost: Some serious dough.
Chances: Although your chances of infection are low, if you have multiple stops on your itinerary, your chances of having to show proof of vaccination before entry into another country are high.
Alternatives and Other Notes: Spray DEET like there is no tomorrow and cover up!

Article added on March 02, 2005

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