Our Little Jaunt

Ouch – Hepatitis A and Tetanus Jabs Today

Travel Jabs Part One Complete

Well, after a day in Lichfield today, I had to finish a bit early and head over to the doctors to have my jabs for Hepatitis A and the first of one of my other jabs which I think was Tetanus (lockjaw).

I felt that it was sensible to start all of the jabs here and now in the UK, and top up on what I needed closer to the time that we plan to leave Australia.  There were two reasons for this – a) because we don’t really know how long we’re going to stay in Australia, and b) because I don’t want to have to pay for them in AUS – we don’t know if you do or not – but I would prefer to be on the safe side. Because we are planning on staying in what are deemed to be “high risk” areas  we need pretty much cover for everything according to the nurse at the surgery.

My local surgery here in the UK can do most of the jabs for the areas that we are planning to go to. The only one that they have said that I will need to pay for is Yellow Fever which is £80 from some other surgery in town that is a “Yellow Fever” Centre – apparently not all surgeries do it and you need to book and to pay to have it done privately. I guess that this is because it isn’t really a run of the mill condition.

I am a little bit sore, but the worst bit for me is the anticipation of the injections, I think that it goes back to when I was a kid – religiously fainting at any injections or things like that… you know the cutting up of the cows eyeball in Science to see how the lens worked and all that. EUGH! just thinking about it makes me feel nauseous. God help me when we get to India!

What Jabs Do You Need?

Erm, really – I suggest that you look on The NHS information for travellers website, or speak to your local nurse at your surgery, as it does depend on where you are going, and for how long and whether you are already covered.

Hepatitis A Immunisation

They recommend that if you are planning to any of the following places in the world that you have immunisation for Hepititis A – Many parts of the Far East, and the Middle East, the Indian sub-continent, Most of Africa as well as Central and South America.

Wiki – Hepatitis A

Tetanus Booster Injection

I think that I last had a tetanus when I was in sixth form at college when I split my lip open playing rugby in Manchester, i remember that the injection into my lip was one of the most unpleasant things that I have ever had happen… This one was much better. I think I need to have another booster in 6 months or something to have cover for the next 5 years.

Wiki – Tetanus

Anyway,

Thats enough for tonight.

Himself

Tags: Hepatitis A, Lockjaw, Tetanus, travel jabs