The Amazon… yellow fever/malaria pills…or not??

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

We are hoping the Amazon cruise, departing Miami on April 18,2022 sails! 🤞
We are booked for that sailing. 👍
Does anyone have recommendations regarding the yellow fever and malaria pills? 🤔
I would prefer to hear from folks who have either done this voyage, been to the Amazon or are planning it. 
My doctors are split on this issue 

Looking forward to responses. 
Sheila

[RachelG]

I am a doctor, and on issues such as this, I follow CDC guidelines. So check those out.  We have taken anti malarial drugs previously on trips like this, but I haven’t researched recently.

[mj_holiday]

While getting ready for our Amazon cruise in 2018, we read entry requirements for all our ports, one required yellow fever vaccine if you had previously been on Devils Island on the trip, which was the itinerary. And at our various doctors appointments we discussed the yellow fever vaccine and other things they might recommend. We also visited a travel doctor. 
We decided to get the yellow fever, which is good for life (we anticipate future travel which may require this). Much had been said about people over 60 at risk of side effects from the yellow fever vaccine and you can get a doctors note to not have to have one.  Our doctors basically said yellow fever is worse than vaccine. And now we are vaccinated for life. 
Our PCP also gave us a script for oral typhoid vaccine (good for 5 years). 
Our cruise was in December and we saw no mosquitoes. 
When we got our yellow fever vaccine we should have sat in the office for 10 minutes or so. I felt a little shocky from the vaccine but only for about 10-15 minutes. The vaccine may be hard to find, so need to research it. 

[GOARMY]

Bellaggios: 

 

We have cruised with you folks in the past. 

 

As to your current inquiry:  Please "cruise" to Page 5--Mariner Roll Call.   November 17, 2017 "Miami to Miami Radiant Amazon" Thread.  This concerned folks preparing for that segment.  At that time--May-June. 2017--we were onboard Navigator while enjoying a 25+ day Miami-Amazon River-Miami cruise.  I was co-opted to opine on our ongoing experiences, to include protocols begun 8 months previously in preparation before arriving at Miami to board Navigator.  

 

Specifics:  Contributions beginning on Page 3; then continued on pages 4 thru 7.  

 

Here is the Bottom Line:  Do NOT rely on any CC advise apart from obtaining a professional opinion from a M.D. with specific knowledge of Tropical Medicine--accompanied by contemporary CDC guidance.  Wife and I were fortunate.  We relied on a M.D. specifically-trained in tropical medicine (he spent six-months as a post-Doc in New Guinea at a Rice Plantation) at Evergreen Hospital, Kirkland, WA. Even better: spouse Sue, a R.N., had worked at--and retired from--Evergreen after 20 + years' service. Staff remembered her.  

 

Complete review of our medical histories--including mine going back to malaria issues related to '68-69 Army service in Vietnam.  Careful review of Navigator's intended itinerary, to include intended stop at Devil's Island.  Current CDC guidance taken into account.

 

Result:  began a series of vaccinations/inoculations and pills (malaria) protocol.  Not-just Yellow Fever; but also a series of Hep shots.  Plus Typhus. No negative reactions.    

 

Soos--we were well-prepared before arrival at Miami.  Followed a regimen of malaria pill-taking which began previous to entering The Mouth of The Greatest River in the World (Amazon); while going upstream to Manaus; then downstream to The Mouth; and continuing for five days after departing The Mouth.    

 

And, yes.  We visited Devil's--French Guinea.  Well, actually, an adjoining Island, one of three islands making up the historic Devils' complex.  Ours was via a 15-minute Tender (calm waters) transport from Navigator to an island about 150 meters from that abysmal location.  Our stop was to the Island containing the previous Main Prison complex; housing and administrative facilities; and most-poignant:  "Infants' Cemetery."  Being assigned, as a French Police officer--with his family--to Devil's, was equivalent to a death sentence.  Right along with 90% of prisoners who died there due to tropical disease(s).   

 

Well, on that upbeat Note:  Preparation is Key.   Hopefully, Brazil will open up sufficiently to allow actual transit in The River.  It is one of those once-in-a lifetime experiences.  

 

Does your projected itinerary include Devils?  

 

GOARMY!

      

 

[TWG_ag]

I will follow on to GOARMY as my experience (not to be considered medical advice) is similar. Wife and I will be on the March 2022 Mariner Amazon in a month. I got a Yellow Fever shot in 2005 to go to French Guiana (including Devils Island). I also took the Malaria pills. It was a requirement to enter the country at that time. Yellow Fever is for life, so one and done. In 2016 we took a cruise to ports in Central and South America which had CDC warnings and based on the advice of our personal doctors and an International Travel doctor we took Malaria pills, but Karen was not given a Yellow Fever shot. I would note that many people on that cruise did not take pills, and that was their choice.  Fast forward to this month, same process, met with Personal and International doctors and Karen now has the Yellow Fever shot and the magic Yellow Card and we will be taking the pills again. Wife is 64, read all the over 60 warnings and 8 days post shot has had zero reaction. This will be me third time taking Malaria pills (Atovaquone-Proguanil), second time for wife and we have not had any negative reactions.

 

Bottom line, this was our experience with decisions made in coordination with Medical Professionals. Just responding to help you with your decisions. Also, as others noted, you should make sure things like DTP, Hep A & B and others are checked as well. 

 

TW

[Ladys Mom]

Thanks for all of the information.  We will see you next month on the Mariner

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

14 hours ago, GOARMY said:

Bellaggios: 

 

We have cruised with you folks in the past. 

 

As to your current inquiry:  Please "cruise" to Page 5--Mariner Roll Call.   November 17, 2017 "Miami to Miami Radiant Amazon" Thread.  This concerned folks preparing for that segment.  At that time--May-June. 2017--we were onboard Navigator while enjoying a 25+ day Miami-Amazon River-Miami cruise.  I was co-opted to opine on our ongoing experiences, to include protocols begun 8 months previously in preparation before arriving at Miami to board Navigator.  

 

Specifics:  Contributions beginning on Page 3; then continued on pages 4 thru 7.  

 

Here is the Bottom Line:  Do NOT rely on any CC advise apart from obtaining a professional opinion from a M.D. with specific knowledge of Tropical Medicine--accompanied by contemporary CDC guidance.  Wife and I were fortunate.  We relied on a M.D. specifically-trained in tropical medicine (he spent six-months as a post-Doc in New Guinea at a Rice Plantation) at Evergreen Hospital, Kirkland, WA. Even better: spouse Sue, a R.N., had worked at--and retired from--Evergreen after 20 + years' service. Staff remembered her.  

 

Complete review of our medical histories--including mine going back to malaria issues related to '68-69 Army service in Vietnam.  Careful review of Navigator's intended itinerary, to include intended stop at Devil's Island.  Current CDC guidance taken into account.

 

Result:  began a series of vaccinations/inoculations and pills (malaria) protocol.  Not-just Yellow Fever; but also a series of Hep shots.  Plus Typhus. No negative reactions.    

 

Soos--we were well-prepared before arrival at Miami.  Followed a regimen of malaria pill-taking which began previous to entering The Mouth of The Greatest River in the World (Amazon); while going upstream to Manaus; then downstream to The Mouth; and continuing for five days after departing The Mouth.    

 

And, yes.  We visited Devil's--French Guinea.  Well, actually, an adjoining Island, one of three islands making up the historic Devils' complex.  Ours was via a 15-minute Tender (calm waters) transport from Navigator to an island about 150 meters from that abysmal location.  Our stop was to the Island containing the previous Main Prison complex; housing and administrative facilities; and most-poignant:  "Infants' Cemetery."  Being assigned, as a French Police officer--with his family--to Devil's, was equivalent to a death sentence.  Right along with 90% of prisoners who died there due to tropical disease(s).   

 

Well, on that upbeat Note:  Preparation is Key.   Hopefully, Brazil will open up sufficiently to allow actual transit in The River.  It is one of those once-in-a lifetime experiences.  

 

Does your projected itinerary include Devils?  

 

GOARMY!

      

 

Hi Go Army
I spoke with my pulmonologist who approved of my taking this voyage. With all my health issues, he felt I should not take malaria pills, together with some of my other medications.
He advised me to wear long sleeve shirts and long pants, while in the Amazon. For the outdoors, Spray with deet, particularly my neck. I do have a face net that I purchased in Australia. Will take that too.

We took the yellow fever shots, when we went to Africa on Regent in 2015. We have no  idea what we did with our vaccine card. He advised not to take another. So we will bring a letter from him, if necessary, stating that he does not want us to take the vaccine. 
No… this cruise is not stopping at Devils Island. 
i think we have done several cruises with you guys. 
Regards

sheila 

[PaulMCO]

3 hours ago, Bellaggio Cruisers said:

Hi Go Army
I spoke with my pulmonologist who approved of my taking this voyage. With all my health issues, he felt I should not take malaria pills, together with some of my other medications.
He advised me to wear long sleeve shirts and long pants, while in the Amazon. For the outdoors, Spray with deet, particularly my neck. I do have a face net that I purchased in Australia. Will take that too.

We took the yellow fever shots, when we went to Africa on Regent in 2015. We have no  idea what we did with our vaccine card. He advised not to take another. So we will bring a letter from him, if necessary, stating that he does not want us to take the vaccine. 
No… this cruise is not stopping at Devils Island. 
i think we have done several cruises with you guys. 
Regards

sheila 

If you took the Yellow fever shot in Florida, the Department of Health would have a record of this.  They could possibly reissue your Yellow card.  Suffice it to say it is not a requirement for the type of cruise the big lines are doing.

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

2 hours ago, PaulMCO said:

If you took the Yellow fever shot in Florida, the Department of Health would have a record of this.  They could possibly reissue your Yellow card.  Suffice it to say it is not a requirement for the type of cruise the big lines are doing.

We took the shots in New Jersey. At a Walgreens that has now closed….

Thanks for advice.

 

Edited February 11, 2022 by Bellaggio Cruisers

[Mary229]

The US Department of State provides required and recommended vaccinations.   Here is Brazil

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Brazil.html

[flossie009]

Hi Sheila, we trust that you are keeping well.

 

In our experience, there are three issues to consider regarding Yellow Fever vaccination & certification:

1. Protection against the possibility of catching the disease while in Brazil. This is something for you to decide in consultation with your health practitioner. For most people the yellow fever vaccine provides lifelong protection; the certificate remains valid for life.
2. The entry requirements for countries that you will visit after you leave Brazil, as some require to see a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (in your case Brazil). I believe Barbados, your next port of call, may fall into this category. (See W.H.O. advice)
3. The possibility of Regent requiring to see evidence of vaccination, or exemption, prior to joining the cruise.

Hope you have a fabulous cruise 😎

 

 

[mariners]

Bellaggio Cruisers, it was my understanding when we got our Yellow Fever vaccine that all Yellow Fever Vaccine's must be documented so that they can be traced.  As I live in Canada, I do not know if you have such a system in the USA, but that is something that you could check.

 

I hope that I don't offend you by making this statement, but I by suggest that you also see a travel specialist, and then review the recommendations you have been given with your pulmonologist.  Because I have multiple drug allergies, everything that I am prescribed is reviewed.  I was unable to take the typical prescription given for malaria, but I was able to take an "old time" alternate prescription.  All risk factors will need to be weighed and this might not be an option for you.

 

The clothing suggestions, as well as mosquito repellant, are applicable regardless of what you do.  On one of my sailings, an individual became infected with Dengue Fever.  The only way to prevent that is to not be bitten by a mosquito that infects you.  

 

GOARMY has given some great advice.  Our travel clinic staff appear to be quite similar in the information that we were provided and it worked well for us.

 

Have a wonderful sailing.  

 

 

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I'm Canadian too, and I agree with mariners.  Yellow fever inoculation is probably documented somewhere, federally, although it may be difficult to find the record.  Perhaps even another Walgreen's could help you.  But all that being said, it should be very easy for you to get medical exemptions from your doctors.