Immunizations: Is 10 years really the full 10 years?

thatsokay

Hi, I've tried to find the info I need in these forums but I haven't been able to.

In November 2000, I had shots for tetanus, diphtheria, polio. I'll be in India from Sept 2009 to March 2010, more or less. Should I get another series of those, along with the other shots, or am I just under the wire?

Also, I had Hep A decades ago and I think I'm immune for life. But does that include Hep B?

Thanks.

Haylo

You need a doctor, not the opinions of people on a travel forum! Having said that, I'd say that if you're due for renewals of shots that you need for everyday life such as tetanus, diptheria and polio it seems pointless to wait until your return before renewing them.

That doesn't sound right to me, check with your doctor.

If your have only been immunised against Hep A, then no, it does not give you any protection against Hep B. The two are entirely separate.

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thatsokay

Haylo, Thanks. I've noticed some doctors in these forums (drzog?) and was hoping for some free advice.

But since I plan to go back to India again after this coming trip, I think you're right: I should just get them. I was trying to save some money and avoid some pain.

Haylo

You have noticed people who purport to be doctors, but while there may well be medical professionals on here, do remember that there is nothing to stop anyone from saying that they are medically trained and offering poor or even dangerous advice.

[/quote]But since I plan to go back to India again after this coming trip, I think you're right: I should just get them. I was trying to save some money and avoid some pain.[/quote]You would save no money or pain, just change the date on which it happens. With the possible exception of Hep A / B, you have not mentioned any "travel" or "India specific" immunisations, those are ones that everyone should have anyway, even in their home country.

thatsokay

You have noticed people who purport to be doctors, but while there may well be medical professionals on here, do remember that there is nothing to stop anyone from saying that they are medically trained and offering poor or even dangerous advice.

I guess I'm too trusting.

With the possible exception of Hep A / B, you have not mentioned any "travel" or "India specific" immunisations, those are ones that everyone should have anyway, even in their home country.

What I plan to get are: Hep A (if necessary), Hep B, typhoid, and tetanus, and diphtheria/polio. And to carry some form of malaria medicine. I've noticed a lot of people mentioning Malarone.

Hal

Malarone costs about $60 a week. At least it does at the pharmacy in Canada.

machadinha

Go see your travel health clinic, or doctor specialized in the same.

Please.

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thatsokay

I do plan to go to a travel clinic. I couldn't hit my butt with a needle if I tried!

I was trying to get some info about what was and was not necessary before I went there. Cart before the horse, I guess. Thanks to you all for replying!

camelgirl

Here's the India Travel health info from the CDC. Part-way down has the vaccinations recommended.

http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/india.aspx

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thatsokay

Thanks, Camelgirl. That's exactly what I was looking for. I've bookmarked it. Here's to health!

camelgirl

I see you're from the USA. Hope you plan on getting the 10 year tourist visa since it looks like you'll be there about 6 months and plan on returning after that. I won't go into the value of that type of visa if you already have it or plan on getting it.

If you have any questions about that, I'll be happy to explain.

Good luck with the health stuff. Make sure you keep a written record of all your shots. Here is a form (just the first page) you can print & bring with you when you get your shots, unless you already have one of the yellow shot record booklets, which seem hard to get now for some reason (I have one of those).

http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2023.pdf

I've had every shot listed over the course of my life, and then some! I'm big on immunizations.

Nick-H

You have to know the IMF from each batch of vaccine. This Imunisation Monthly Factor is the log of the percentage of the full number of years coverage for which the vaccine is effective, derived from a fraction of thirtieths (days in a month).

If you do not have this information, or if you think that I am making this up as I go along, probably best to be on the safe side and, subject to doc's advice, get boosters or new innoculations.

I'm big on immunisation in principle, very poor at keeping it up to date in practice . I've got some numbers here, pass me that slide rule!

thatsokay

[@ camelgirl]
I do plan to get the ten year visa and there is a little confusion about getting it. The other day the Indian embassy website seemed to say they didn't do it anymore and gave the name of an agency -- which I thought I bookmarked but can't find! That was $163 straight up.
Today I find an agency that charges $59 on top of that $163. So I went to the NYC Indian embassy website and find an application for a 10 year visa for $150:

http://www.passportsandvisas.com/application/india.pdf

What do you think of all that?

About the immunizations, I've got one of those yellow booklets too. I just need to get whatever will protect me. I was trying to cut corners before but after reading these websites I realize it's a stupid way to think. Think protection and relax about it. That's my new philosophy.

[@Nick-H]
Utter confusion about what I need to know IMF for. Do you mean that someone might sell me a shot from a bad batch?

Just reread your post. It's about my original question: how long these 10year things really last. I'm going to err on the side of caution.

Nick-H

Sorry, thatsok, the clue was in the words ...or if you think that I am making this up as I go along...; put it down to mischief and an odd sense of humour

Yes... I think you are right to be cautious, or, at least, to take the professional advice on how much one can err.

Haylo

Passportandvisas.com is NOT the Indian Embassy website!

The official New York Indian Consulate website explains that the visa application process has been outsourced to a company called Travisa; their fee for a ten year passport is $163 which includes the compulsory $13 Travisa service charge.

If you have more queries about getting a visa after reading the Travisa website, which you should find clear on the basics at least, do start another thread in the visa forum to ask about it.