Another major item on our 6-month to-do list was figuring out the
necessary travel immunizations. 6 months ahead seems like a long time, but
with over 20 countries we plan on visiting, there are bound to be immunizations
that are required, or at least highly recommended – some vaccination series
requiring at least a 6-month head start such as the hepatitis series.
If we were 20-something backpackers, would we even care about
vaccines? Maybe, maybe not. We certainly wouldn’t be as cautious about the
possibility of acquiring a number of deadly diseases abroad, had we been 20
years younger! Alas, the wisdom (or
paranoia) that comes with age. One main
reason for taking extra precautions is Akiko’s tendency to attract mosquitos no
matter where in the world, and her tendency to have allergic reactions to their
bites. Many of these diseases abroad are
carried by mosquitos. If any of them
could be prevented by a few shots or pills, it seems a worthwhile endeavor.
There are a couple of vaccinations that are required for entry into
certain countries or to obtain a visa.
However, most of the time, the choice to be vaccinated is ultimately up
to you. Our advice is to at least research
what is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and even
make an appointment with a Travel Immunization specialist for a consultation so
you can make an educated decision by weighing the pros and cons. The major ‘con’ being cost, of course, and
specifically for malaria – the side effects of some of the drugs.
The following outlines the steps that we took to research the
immunizations for our upcoming travel sabbatical.
