Thread: panama canal shots

Originally Posted by JoAnn

Excellent information - thank you.

You're welcomed.

We only take our official certicates with us on cruises where there might be the possibilty that we may have to show them.

Otherwise for Caribbean and Alaskan and Canada/New England cruises -- they stay home.

Yes -- it is always a good to check with your doctor before getting shots.

Yellow fever shots are good for only 10 years -- and the older you get the % of having a reaction to the yellow fever shot increases and you can die of organ failure.

My husband in the last 11 1/2 years has had a stroke, a heart attack and just this past January was diagnosed with Parkinson's. He had been told -- no more yellow fever shots.

I have not had any problems until June 2007 when I got a typhoid shot -- within 48 hours I had a reaction and had a mini stroke. Doctor has advised - no more yellow fever shots for me.

Thanks KK! Knew you had "fisrt hand" experience when your doctors would NOT allow certain shots!

Good posts here. I agree that anyone who travels should be updated on DT, Hep A and B, flu shot. As far as anything in the Caribbean, that is really all you need.

Some of the areas on a Panama Canal cruise are malarial areas, however, according to the CDC you don't need anti-malarial meds when you are just visiting an area for a day. At least that is what they said when I worked for the Red Cross blood donations until 2003. I have never brought by vaccination record along on any trip, except to Thailand. Have never had a need for it. I did need to get a typhoid shot for Thailand. In nursing school it was a series of 3 and I got progressively sick with each, so wasn't looking forward to getting it again. Was pleasantly surprised to find I only needed one shot and I never had any reaction. (that was for Thailand).

It is always good to check with your doctor (although they are not often aware of what is needed for travel but are famaliar with your medical history and can advise you). I checked with the CDC on line, our public health dept., and the travel specialty clinic in our area.

Years and years ago when we first cruised to Russia, our doctor had us take the Larium pills.

We also had to take them for a South American cruise -- Orinoco River cruise -- and Costa Rica since we were doing an all day tour through the jungles.

WELL THANK YOU ALL FOR THE 411.i REALLY APPRECIATE ALL YOUR INPUT..
NOW I CAN TAKE THE TRIP WITH CONFIDENCE..