Immunizations and Vaccinations

According to the Center for Disease Control, traveling to Uganda requires record of a number of standard immunizations along with some more unique immunizations like yellow fever, typhoid, and malaria. These vaccinations cannot typically be obtained at the doctor’s office because of low demand and short expiration dates. I made an appointment at the health department and went in search of my immunization records. Um wait…I don’t have any immunization records. According to the Center for Disease Control, adults without immunization records have to start all over. Oh yea!

Because no record exists for the standard immunizations, my health insurance covers most of those shots. Would you consider sponsoring the uninsured immunizations (Yellow Fever, Typhoid, and Malaria)? Consider this the perfect opportunity to repay me for anything I’ve ever done to you that was mean.

• Health Dept Consultation Fee ($50) – Yes, I have to pay for them to tell me what the CDC website already reveals.
• Yellow Fever ($90). Side effects: fever, headache, muscle aches.
• Typhoid ($42). Side effects: nausea, vomiting, skin rash, abdominal pain.
• Malaria ($180 est.). Side effects: cough, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, mouth sores, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, weakness (and this was the choice that didn’t have vivid hallucinations as a common side effect).
• Six month boosters (Hep A $37, Hep B $44, IPV $39). Side effects: Fever, fatigue, nausea, headache, loss of appetite, weakness, sore throat, dizziness, drowsiness, body aches.

Yahoo, how fun. The good news is that after all these shots I can travel almost anywhere relatively safe from major illnesses.

Appointment #1 (January 21): 4 shots (Hep B, Hep A, IPV, MMR)
Appointment #2 (February 4): 1 shot (H1N1), 4 oral (Typhoid)
Appointment #3 (February 22): 2 shots (Hep B, IPV)
Appointment #4 (February 23): 1 shot (Yellow Fever)
Appointment #5 (April 21): 1 shot (MMR)
Appointment #6 (Before June 8): Lots of oral (Malaria)
Appointment #7 (After June 21): 3 shots (Hep A, Hep B, IPV)

Yes – I am keeping track!