Over the last few weeks, I have been preparing for a safari trip to Kenya and Tanzania. I’m so excited about going, I have to pinch myself sometimes. In addition to the planning and shopping, though, I’ve had to place a good amount of my attention toward making sure my vaccine records are up to date. Not only is vaccine preparation important for my health where conditions may not be the same as I’m used to, but travel to certain countries is also prohibited without the administering of certain vaccines.
First off, especially if you are traveling internationally, start early with your vaccine preparation. Some vaccines like Hepatitis A&B require multiple doses that must be administered at certain intervals. Also, depending on where you are traveling, you may choose to have several vaccines and may want to spread the shots over several weeks.
Keep good records. Fortunately, large pharmacy chains have online record keeping apps to record the type of vaccine and when it was administered. In my case, I got most of my vaccines at CVS and the pharmacist always recorded my visit. Your primary care provider will keep similar records if you go that route. When I visited Bolivia several years ago, I received a Yellow Fever vaccination at Passport Health, a private travel medical company. At Passport Health, I received an official Yellow Card record (as in the above picture). It’s vital to keep up with your yellow card as that is your proof of getting the recorded vaccination. As I found out for my upcoming trip, tourists cannot enter the country of Tanzania without proof of Yellow Fever vaccination. In fact, many nations require proof of specific vaccinations (like the “Yellow Card” or International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis) as a condition of entry.
One of the most important lessons I learned from this experience was how important it is to work with medical professionals specializing in travel medicine. Costco (yes, the Costco we love to shop at) has an excellent travel medicine program through SafeGard Travel Medicine. For about $40, I had an online consultation with a Travel Medicine physician and we discussed where I was going and the vaccines/medications I might need for the trip. From there I could get my vaccines administered at my local Costco pharmacy. In my case, I had already received most of my shots at CVS but going through SafeGard and Costco was beneficial in me getting my Rabies vaccine – that involved a fight with my insurance company but it got done!
There is a profound psychological benefit to knowing you are medically prepared. Whether you are trekking through dense forests, navigating bustling urban markets, or watching wildlife on the savannah, being “up to date” allows you to focus on the experience rather than worrying about preventable illness. It is an investment in your well-being that pays dividends in the form of a stress-free adventure.
Quick Checklist for Your Health Portfolio:
- Routine Updates: Ensure MMR, Polio, and Tetanus boosters are current.
- Digital Backups: Store scanned copies of your vaccination certificates on a secure cloud drive.
- Destination Specifics: Research endemic risks for your specific route, including malaria prophylaxis if applicable.
- Prescription Documentation: Carry a signed letter from your physician for any maintenance medications.