CDC recommended immunizations...do you really need them?

[slowkat]

We are going from Sydney to Honolulu, thru Samoa, fiji and New Caledonia.  The CDC recommends Hep A & Typhoid but if you are on a cruise ship and not drinking the water or eating on shore, are these really needed?.  They are very costly too $85-120.00 each. Anyone have any experience with this??

 

Thank you

[Cruiser_1977]

@slowkat These are not required by the Cruise Line nor by Samoa, Fiji, and New Caledonia. However, it appears they are recommended. If you are getting off the ship for any reason, I would get them. You may want to consult your physician in advance to see if they can add more insight.

Edited August 19, 2019 by JennyB1977

[clo]

7 minutes ago, JennyB1977 said:

@slowkat These are not required by the Cruise Line nor by Samoa, Fiji, and New Caledonia. However, it appears they are recommended. If you are getting off the ship for any reason, I would get them. You may want to consult your physician in advance to see if they can add more insight.

Or if anyone else on the ship is getting off.  And definitely check with your doctor and/or a travel medicine clinic.

[Extra Kim]

How much will it cost you if you get sick?

 

Our daughter have had two Hep A vaccations and she is 19 months old.

[Philob]

Plan ahead: Hep A requires two shots, six months apart.  You can also get the Hep B shot at the same time, Twinrix, but that's a series of 3 shots over a period of time.  If no time, then at least get the first one, something is better than nothing.  Check with your doctor first.

[CruiserBruce]

Hep A is recommended no matter where you go, or live. Going on a cruise doesn't really matter.

[evandbob]

I got Hep A immunization due to numerous travels and a penchamt for eating local food at local food stands.  Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

 

For typhoid and yellow fever, I would only get those shots if I'm traveling to an infected area, which I'm not planning on doing anytime soon.

 

I do wish there were shots for dengue though.

[capriccio]

If you haven't seen the CDC's "Find a Clinic/Travelers' Health" website:  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/find-clinic, it is worth consulting.

 

[clo]

37 minutes ago, evandbob said:

I got Hep A immunization due to numerous travels and a penchamt for eating local food at local food stands.  Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

 

For typhoid and yellow fever, I would only get those shots if I'm traveling to an infected area, which I'm not planning on doing anytime soon.

 

I do wish there were shots for dengue though.

This doesn't help you but here's interesting info:

https://www.statnews.com/2019/05/01/fda-dengue-vaccine-restrictions/

[Donald]

Immunizations are like life jackets.

You only need them when you need them.

 

If you are feeling lucky, you do not need immunizations or life jackets.

[new_cruiser]

It isn't an all or nothing decision. If you don't want to spend the money on both of them, it would make sense to get the Hep A vaccine even if you decide not to get the Typhoid vaccine.

 

The Hep A vaccine last for life once you take the two or three required shots. Also, it is highly effective - close to 100% effectiveness. It is recommended for travel just about anywhere. Or even for eating out in the US, there have been outbreaks in the US due to transmission in a restaurant. So get it now and you are covered long term. Consider getting the combo Hep A and Hep B vaccine so you are covered for both of them. 

 

In contrast, protection from typhoid vaccination is relatively short. If you get the shot (inactive typhoid), it is good for 2 years. Oral (live vaccine) is good for 5 years. It also isn't as effective - 50 to 80%. So it gives some protection but you still should be careful about what you eat. 

[clo]

5 minutes ago, new_cruiser said:

It isn't an all or nothing decision. If you don't want to spend the money on both of them, it would make sense to get the Hep A vaccine even if you decide not to get the Typhoid vaccine.

 

The Hep A vaccine last for life once you take the two or three required shots. Also, it is highly effective - close to 100% effectiveness. It is recommended for travel just about anywhere. Or even for eating out in the US, there have been outbreaks in the US due to transmission in a restaurant. So get it now and you are covered long term. Consider getting the combo Hep A and Hep B vaccine so you are covered for both of them. 

 

In contrast, protection from typhoid vaccination is relatively short. If you get the shot (inactive typhoid), it is good for 2 years. Oral (live vaccine) is good for 5 years. It also isn't as effective - 50 to 80%. So it gives some protection but you still should be careful about what you eat. 

I'm not picking on you, I promise, but I so strongly wish that these sites wouldn't allow people to give medical advice.  One thing to point people in the right direction but....  Just a suggestion.

[new_cruiser]

13 minutes ago, clo said:

I'm not picking on you, I promise, but I so strongly wish that these sites wouldn't allow people to give medical advice.  One thing to point people in the right direction but....  Just a suggestion.

 

You do like to dictate what subjects are appropriate to discuss here, don't you?

 

I checked the facts I posted on the CDC website. No one else had pointed out that there are differences between vaccines for the two diseases that might cause one to decide to get one and skip the other. 

[mom says]

28 minutes ago, clo said:

I'm not picking on you, I promise, but I so strongly wish that these sites wouldn't allow people to give medical advice.  One thing to point people in the right direction but....  Just a suggestion.

Oh for heaven sake. The poster only suggested that the OP CONSIDER getting the shots. The very same suggestion given by the CDC.

[clo]

7 minutes ago, mom says said:

Oh for heaven sake. The poster only suggested that the OP CONSIDER getting the shots. The very same suggestion given by the CDC.

I will give links but not advice.  There's a big difference.

[Heidi13]

9 hours ago, slowkat said:

We are going from Sydney to Honolulu, thru Samoa, fiji and New Caledonia.  The CDC recommends Hep A & Typhoid but if you are on a cruise ship and not drinking the water or eating on shore, are these really needed?.  They are very costly too $85-120.00 each. Anyone have any experience with this??

 

Thank you

Not certain how many cruises you have taken, or locations, but when we consider a cruise we consider the cost of vaccinations & Visas as being an integral cost of the cruise. Whatever the cruise line doesn't cover, we budget for as part of the fare. Our last World Cruise cost about CAN $ 1,000 for vaccinations.

 

We visit a specialised travel clinic and during the consultation with the doctor they advise which ones are mandatory and which are recommended. Although, we haven't yet visited a travel clinic for our next cruise, which transits the same area, I have taken that route a number of times and don't recall any mandatory vaccinations being required.

 

However, recommended vaccinations are similar to insurance, you only want them when you really need them. 

 

I can read the WHO recommendations, as well as anyone, but will always opt for a visit to a travel clinic for a consultation with a specialist, who has up to date info. They will discuss the risks and probability, so you can make an informed decision on whether to get the vaccinations that are recommended.

[Extra Kim]

4 hours ago, clo said:

I'm not picking on you, I promise, but I so strongly wish that these sites wouldn't allow people to give medical advice.  One thing to point people in the right direction but....  Just a suggestion.

How is getting a Hep vaccination a bad advice? Even if you never leave your home country you could get Hep.

 

[Nic6318]

16 hours ago, slowkat said:

We are going from Sydney to Honolulu, thru Samoa, fiji and New Caledonia.  The CDC recommends Hep A & Typhoid but if you are on a cruise ship and not drinking the water or eating on shore, are these really needed?.  They are very costly too $85-120.00 each. Anyone have any experience with this??

 

Thank you

 

Hi

 

Why would you not want to protect yourself? Hep A & B vaccines are recommended if you are travelling just about anywhere, nowadays. Do you never want to travel again? 

 

It really can't be the price. How much is this trip costing you?

[clo]

7 hours ago, Extra Kim said:

How is getting a Hep vaccination a bad advice? Even if you never leave your home country you could get Hep.

 

Certainly because I have decades of medical background, I wouldn't even recommend that someone take an OTC med, i.e., ibuprofen.  Every person can be different.  There's a retired doctor on this site who thinks the same way as I.  (I'm not a doctor.)

[chipmaster]

20 hours ago, slowkat said:

We are going from Sydney to Honolulu, thru Samoa, fiji and New Caledonia.  The CDC recommends Hep A & Typhoid but if you are on a cruise ship and not drinking the water or eating on shore, are these really needed?.  They are very costly too $85-120.00 each. Anyone have any experience with this??

 

Thank you

 

 

How much are you spending on your cruise?   What's the cost if you get sick?    Not sure about others but I always stay up to date on all recommended  shots, generally covered or partially covered by insurance, simply penny wise and pound foolish to skimp here!

 

You know your own body and budget best, are you frail, get sick easily or often during winter months, can eat/drink street food without a worry?

   

I was never a big believer or fan of flu shots, but since I started traveling heavily, get it every fall now.   Of course I like the mantra if it don't kill ya it makes you strongers!       Can't say I was ever saved by a "shot" but doesn't hurt, better to be short a few dollars than miss a few weeks sitting on the toilet pour your insides out from both ends!

Edited August 20, 2019 by chipmaster

[kasil]

Check with your local health department. They may offer the vaccines at a reduced cost.

[clo]

11 hours ago, chipmaster said:

I was never a big believer or fan of flu shots,

You must not have grand-kids.  That made me a believer 🙂

[broberts]

On 8/19/2019 at 3:06 PM, slowkat said:

We are going from Sydney to Honolulu, thru Samoa, fiji and New Caledonia.  The CDC recommends Hep A & Typhoid but if you are on a cruise ship and not drinking the water or eating on shore, are these really needed?.  They are very costly too $85-120.00 each. Anyone have any experience with this??

 

Thank you

 

Talk to a qualified medical professional familiar with your health situation and these vaccinations. 

 

Given the total investment, a few hundred dollars hardly seems significant.

Edited August 21, 2019 by broberts

[wheezedr]

13 hours ago, clo said:

Certainly because I have decades of medical background, I wouldn't even recommend that someone take an OTC med, i.e., ibuprofen.  Every person can be different.  There's a retired doctor on this site who thinks the same way as I.  (I'm not a doctor.)

Well in fact I am a retired physician with over 40 years of practice in pediatrics and immunology (hence my screen name) and I have and will continue to recommend Hepatitis A vaccine to travelers on this and other travel sites. Hepatitis A is endemic through most of the US and outbreaks can occur even in the absence of travel.  During my years of practice we saw many cases and a few large outbreaks.  The latter were primarily sourced at school and college cafeterias and the result of poor hygiene in food service workers who were asymtomatic carriers.  This is a simple vaccination that has been routine in pediatric practice for many years now.  There is no downside to someone  recommending a course of action, as the person receiving the recommendation still has the ability to pursue whether or not it is appropriate for them.  

 

To the OP, if you are still monitoring this thread, I would definitely recommend the Hepatitis A.  Typhoid is always a +/- decision, because the frequency is much lower and the vaccine is clearly not as effective nor does the protection persist as long.

[SRF]

I travel a lot, and I get vaccinated against everything I can.

 

Up to you and your doctor to decide which ones are appropriate for you.

 

And like everything, it is a risk/reward calculation, cost of the vaccine, versus the cost of getting sick.  And that cost may not just be the lost vacation, but could have longer (lifetime) consequences.