Hep B travel vaccine???

Spon Farmer

Hi,

I'm going travelling soon and one of the vaccinations I have seen that is reccomended is for Hepatitis B - but it is not considered essential.

The booster shots are applied one and six months after the the first jab.

However, I'd be leaving at the end of January.

Would I be able to get the booster shots abroad and is that safe?

Plus, I'll be back in 5 months anyway so should I not bother?

Cheers.

LiamMc

This is not a Consultation and you can email a clinic where there may inform you of there vaccine products but again this would not be considered a Consultation until you visit a Travel Health Clinic.

There's a few on a Sticky in this Travel Forum.
Mercer's Hospital Medical Centre, Dublin
http://www.mercersmedicalcentre.com/page.php?intPageID=57

Travel Medical Bureau (Nationwide)
http://www.tmb.ie/tmb/about/

Health Vaccines tend to be far greater value than any other purchases for a visitor. Please remember the vaccines can protect you at home and abroad.

Vaccine technology is always changing, geo-health threats are always changing. The initial Consultation is important. Ask any question you like. Anything that you were ever curious about. Including behaviour.

Do bother to get the Hep B and a few others (e.g. rabies, tetanus). Hep B vaccine can be twinned with Hep A. And if a booster is available for either do avail of it in time.
Tetanus, Rabies,Polio, Meningitis have long-term vaccines. (5+ years).

Some of the courses are over a few weeks also the full protection of the vaccine may only start over a week after the treatment.
It can mean visitors organising courses at the destination.
For receiving treatment abroad,larger urban centres will have more choice than underpopulated areas. With some research there will be a Health Centre available for a patient to receive the treatment that gives them peace of mind.

Whenever a patient receives treatment, they should receive the a WHO Int. Cert of Vaccination, it is as important as your Passport. With the long-term vaccines you can return to a Travel Clinic and advise them that you have had a travel Consultation so don't have to forego that expense. Also proof of vaccine history and products received.

It just crossed my mind Vaccines may be linked to Travel Insurance. But instruction from the Insurance company shouldn't be the primary reason to receive medical treatment.

Spon Farmer

Hi,

I was just hoping for a bit of info because I can't contact a clinic or GP until Monday at earliest - assuming they open.

There are no vaccinations required by authorities for the places I'll be going but there are a few reccomded.

My concern over the Hep B jab is that the booster shots will be one and six months after the the initial one - I'll have left Ireland by the end of January and I'll most likely be home a few weeks before the final one.

Does this mean that I will be "unprotected" from Hep B anyway even if I get the one month shot over there?

It seems that ideally the Hep B shots should be done months before traveling.

I'm just looking for information from somebody who is, or was, in a similar situation where there is only weeks before beginning.

LiamMc

The specifics of the Hep B vaccine products held by the individual Travel Health Clinic/GP is for that office. They also maybe able to point the way for contacts at your destination so that you can continue your course. Especially if you can stay in the one area until the course is completed. I would say that happens regularly.

The immediacy of the trip is normal and is even recommended with some vaccines because of the short life span that they may have.
e.g. an older method of receiving Gammabulin (measles prophylaxis) was on a sugar cube very close to departure time.

warning: behavioural health presumption below.
Visitors who move around over a long period may be considered more at risk to different ailments than short visits (two weeks) or even people residing in the one place for a period of months.

Stinicker

I think there are quick schedule vaccines available for it. Talk to your GP. You can also get the vaccine for free from your local sexual health clinic as it is an std.

Judge Weiner

Stinicker wrote: »

I think there are quick schedule vaccines available for it. Talk to your GP. You can also get the vaccine for free from your local sexual health clinic as it is an std.

I was still quoted €160 for the 3 courses and follow up blood test at the local clinic.

DieselPowered

€160 is about right for the first course. which will do you a number of years (they vary between the different injections).

You need (are advised) to get the booster top up shots one year later and then you're covered for up to 10 years on most items (some could still be only 5).

They are worthwhile getting and its easier to get the preventions now than the cure if you are unfortunate to pick something up.