Medical Advice: Regarding Immunizations for Kenya Trip

[PrivatePractice]

I am getting mixed opinions on this, so I thought I would run it by mashada for additional opinions.

Regarding the Yellow Fever Immunization, it cost $150.00 plus a $50.00 appointment fee, and it is not covered by insurance. I am told I can get the shot in Kenya for cheap, but others are telling me the shot may not be real and/or needles are sometimes boiled there.

Any one with advice? Is it safe to get it there or should I cough up the money and pay for it here? I really don't want to put out the extra 200.00, if it is fine to get in Kenya.
Any additional info on shots to get or not to get prior to my trip is appreciated too. Thanks.

***I have to get the Yellow Fever Immunization or I can not enter back into the USA until I have it.

[Type R]

Originally Posted by PrivatePractice

.... but others are telling me the shot may not be real and/or needles are sometimes boiled there.---

...scare mongering has begun and you ain't even here yet!!

We do have genuine hospitals. I'll be going for a check-up on Friday at this institution and I'll give you the price.

Rely on the word of locals when you're here.

[PrivatePractice]

Originally Posted by Type R

...scare mongering has begun and you ain't even here yet!!

We do have genuine hospitals. I'll be going for a check-up on Friday at this institution and I'll give you the price.

Rely on the word of locals when you're here.

lol
Hey, my kenyan friends are the ones that tell me this crap...not americans either.

So, you suggest I get it there?

Thanks for checking out the prices

[Talula]

get it in kenya in a professional medical centre not a village clinic in the neighbourhood. I had mine done years ago at agakhan hospital....

The other one you need is malaria prophylaxic. Very very important!

[PrivatePractice]

Originally Posted by Talula

get it in kenya in a professional medical centre not a village clinic in the neighbourhood. I had mine done years ago at agakhan hospital....

The other one you need is malaria prophylaxic. Very very important!

Thank you

Now should I get the malaria pills from Kenya too? They are 13 dollars a pill here, not covered by insurance.

And how many days am I okay while in Kenya before I get the shot. Meaning, make sure I get it within 5 days or more like 2.
Thanks again. Very helpful

[Talula]

Get the shot if you can on the day of arrival. Malaria pills it depends on which ones are currently the best (coz apparently the mosquitos get resistant and so every few years it changes) The ones I had the time before last i had to take like 3 days before landing during my stay there and after.

If you have never had malaria before I would advise you to pay for the tablets. But just do your research b4 or get professional advise that you get the latest ones.

[PrivatePractice]

Originally Posted by Talula

Get the shot if you can on the day of arrival. Malaria pills it depends on which ones are currently the best (coz apparently the mosquitos get resistant and so every few years it changes) The ones I had the time before last i had to take like 3 days before landing during my stay there and after.

If you have never had malaria before I would advise you to pay for the tablets. But just do your research b4 or get professional advise that you get the latest ones.

Thanks Talula
I have never had malaria, so I will def get the pills here.
I am landing at night, so won't be able to get the shot that day. Maybe I will have to suck it up and pay the cost here

Thanks Again.

[A.M Nafusi]

Originally Posted by PrivatePractice

I am getting mixed opinions on this, so I thought I would run it by mashada for additional opinions.
Any one with advice? Is it safe to get it there or should I cough up the money and pay for it here? I really don't want to put out the extra 200.00, if it is fine to get in Kenya.
Any additional info on shots to get or not to get prior to my trip is appreciated too. Thanks.

***I have to get the Yellow Fever Immunization or I can not enter back into the USA until I have it.

U are better of getting your shots in the US. That way, it allows your body to adjust to whatever it needs to.

Rule #1-While travelling to a place you have never been to: third world or not, always be overprepared. There are no guarantees.

In Kenya, things work at the Lord's mercy. U might show up and be told the shot needs to be imported from Timbuktu. Unfortunately, the germs are always on the look out for new meat.

It took a friend just a week in Kenya to be dead. He skipped that shot and hoped to get one in Kenya after going thru Congo. Well, by the time he got to Kenya, he was heading to Nairobi hospital, it was too late.

[PrivatePractice]

I was thinking it was caught from a sick person like a cold, but now I see it comes from mosquitoes. Yes, that is too risky to wait until I get to kenya.
I'm itching just reading about it Thanks for you advice too!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_fever

[PrivatePractice]

Originally Posted by Type R

...scare mongering has begun and you ain't even here yet!!

We do have genuine hospitals. I'll be going for a check-up on Friday at this institution and I'll give you the price.

Rely on the word of locals when you're here.

BTW: my kenyan friend actually told me that I have to ask for a clean needle at some of the hospitals. They said the needle is boiled and lasered or something. Okay, most of my friends have not been home in years (like 10 or so), so it seems like a lot has changed

Most of my real life kenyan friends are the ones that give me some of the crazy info!! Everyones answers are just so different I never know who is right.

I still can not get a clear idea on the weather either!!!