Typhoid vaccine for cruise to Turkey and Greece?

[Wavedance]

We leave in 3 weeks for a cruise to Turkey (Istanbul, Ephesus/Kusadasi) and Greece. Typhoid vaccines are recommended for Turkey. Have you cruised or traveled to Turkey recently and did you get a typhoid vax? I've gotten typhoid vax in the past and am okay with getting it now. I like to be safe, not sorry, unless it's really overkill to get it.

[Essiesmom]

Who is recommending this?  What do CDC guidelines say?  EM

[Pushka]

Why?

[markeb]

Have you talked to your physician? Or a travel specialist? That would be my first choice rather than asking here on Cruise Critic.

 

The CDC recommendations are: 

 

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

 

That likely isn't you if you're making a short stop at a tourist area (which you are), but I'd consult your own physician, not a bunch of us on Cruise Critic.

[Wavedance]

The vaccine is recommended by the CDC and the WHO. Typhoid fever, caused by a bacteria, is "moderately endemic" in Turkey. 

[Wavedance]

2 minutes ago, markeb said:

Have you talked to your physician? Or a travel specialist? That would be my first choice rather than asking here on Cruise Critic.

 

The CDC recommendations are: 

 

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

 

That likely isn't you if you're making a short stop at a tourist area (which you are), but I'd consult your own physician, not a bunch of us on Cruise Critic.

Yes, I've talked to my physician who DOES recommend it, and of course, I consulted the guidelines.

[Charles4515]

27 minutes ago, Wavedance said:

We leave in 3 weeks for a cruise to Turkey (Istanbul, Ephesus/Kusadasi) and Greece. Typhoid vaccines are recommended for Turkey. Have you cruised or traveled to Turkey recently and did you get a typhoid vax? I've gotten typhoid vax in the past and am okay with getting it now. I like to be safe, not sorry, unless it's really overkill to get it.

You don’t need a typhoid vaccination for the areas you will visit in Turkey. I have been to both Istanbul and Kusadasi a few times. It is no different than visiting Rome. 

Edited September 16 by Charles4515

[markeb]

50 minutes ago, Wavedance said:

Yes, I've talked to my physician who DOES recommend it, and of course, I consulted the guidelines.

There are two axes on a risk assessment. The likelihood of an event and its severity. Likelihood of exposure to typhoid in your situation should be low. Severity if exposed, for you personally, is a medical consideration to be discussed with your physician. They presumably know more about your health and any underlying concerns than we do. If they’re recommending it FOR YOU then unless you don’t trust them, then I think that’s your answer. 
 

If you’re leaving in three weeks you have a very limited time for either the injection or oral pills to be effective. 

[Liao]

1 hour ago, Wavedance said:

We leave in 3 weeks for a cruise to Turkey (Istanbul, Ephesus/Kusadasi) and Greece. Typhoid vaccines are recommended for Turkey. Have you cruised or traveled to Turkey recently and did you get a typhoid vax? I've gotten typhoid vax in the past and am okay with getting it now. I like to be safe, not sorry, unless it's really overkill to get it.

Perhaps a conversation with your personal medical provider might help you make the best decision?

[chemmo]

We had typhoid injections before visiting Kenya and SE Asia. No side effects for us although there are a list of possible ones.
 

We did not when visiting Turkey as a day cruise passenger or when staying in an AI resort. However, we were very alert to what we ate and drank when out and about and avoided primitive toilets…Once you leave the major towns in Turkey sanitation can become very basic…

 

The reason we chose not to jab was it was only recommended if you were visiting rural areas…However, as I get older I am becoming more of a jab fan. I think for the inconvenience of a jab (that I haven’t previously had a reaction to) it may be worth the peace of mind to know I have some protection. The older you get the more serious any infection is…I can see medical professionals recommending preventative jabs for all their older patients as long as there are no other reasons to avoid.
 

 

[buchhalm]

You are more likely to catch something from filthy passengers who don't wash their hands after visiting the toilets and/or touch food on the buffet with bare hands.

[hawkesbaynz]

My understanding is that typhoid not required for Turkey although personally I would wish to be up to date with it. Perhaps you should consider hepatitis A too.

 

BTW Mind hygiene/water/salads etc. Just had a patient who has diarrhoea and his partner hospitalised with shigella after visiting last week. Recollect my mother having awful D&V in Turkey in the 80s. However I have been there several times and been okay.

Edited September 16 by hawkesbaynz

[bikerunner]

Of course the best advice is from unknow internet drs/people overall.  Don't get it not worth the trouble.  

[jelayne]

8 hours ago, Liao said:

Perhaps a conversation with your personal medical provider might help you make the best decision?

In post 6 the OP said they talked to their physician who recommended it.

[steamboats]

Typhoid vaccination is not needed for Turkey or Greece. As said by others as a cruise ship passenger you don´t visit areas where you can catch it.

 

With 3 weeks to go it´s also a bit late. A vaccine typically needs at least 2 weeks to get you fully protected.

 

steamboats

[Liao]

31 minutes ago, jelayne said:

In post 6 the OP said they talked to their physician who recommended it.

My bad!  Obviously my retired eyes want me to go and get that updated eye exam prescription for new glasses! 
 

Apologies OP. 🤓

[Sussex Cruiser]

You may need to also ask your traver insurance company, because if it is recommended and you don't have it they may not cover you.

[Wavedance]

I got the typhoid vax today, as recommended by my doctor, and my insurance covered it 100%. This discussion was helpful as various points of view weighed in, including some medical professionals with good info and personal experience. When (most) people post on Cruise Critic, they are not asking strangers to make their decision. Rather, they are gathering extra information for an informed decision. 

[zqvol]

On 9/15/2024 at 11:35 PM, Wavedance said:

Yes, I've talked to my physician who DOES recommend it, and of course, I consulted the guidelines.

Then why are you asking here? Do what your physician recommends. End of discussion.