Vaccinations requirements in South America

I know you are into textiles. How did you miss some of the great weavers there?? And the wood carvers are some of the best I have found worldwide-even better than the ones in Bali and Indonesia. I order between 400-500 2.5 feet high and 3.5 feet long full size Harley's from some expert woodcarvers outside Otavalo every year

 

Exquisitely detailed with all the handlebars, individual lights, kickstands, etc. I take some pre-orders with pictures for those who want a mantle piece that looks like THEIR bike. But even the "standard" ones are HUGE sellers at both the Laughlin River Run and Sturgis. I won't even tell you what I get for them but I pay $200 each for them in Ecuador for the standards and no more than $400 for the customs. What I make funds almost a years worth of "fun travel" in style even after shipping expenses, booth rental (which is pricey, particularly in Sturgis), help to sell the things (I'm too old to put up with the nonsense at Sturgis anymore), etc. etc.

I did see some wonderful weavers. And generally enjoyed the other market towns also. I was balancing the time for someone with one day there who might just be going to the stalls in the plaza and not much else. One of the friends we were traveling with is a textiles expert and docent at a museum and we saw some wonderful stuff in Ecuador and Peru. Brought back some lovely table runners and sweaters that she helped me pick out.

Love your idea of the Harley sculptures. Wow!

Terri - it does say something about ship excursion prices when you can do a better excursion with A&K for less than half the price! Double wow!

Happy new year and travels to both.

Terri - it does say something about ship excursion prices when you can do a better excursion with A&K for less than half the price! Double wow!

 

Happy new year and travels to both.

Thank you marazul for all your help. Yes, we are quite pleased with the package A&K put together for us. We are staying in 5-Star Hotels and doing everything we requested. The only problem we are facing is that we will be in MP on Easter Sunday and no opportunity to go to Mass. If you have any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated.

Terri

The only problem we are facing is that we will be in MP on Easter Sunday and no opportunity to go to Mass. If you have any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated.

Terri

No shortage of churches around. Would suggest Saturday night mass in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo depending which one is closer to the hotel. They probably have early masses if you don't want to stay up for the vigil. Have the hotel call you a taxi that will pick you up. Too bad you are not in Cusco Saturday night because the cathedral would be magnificent for Easter vigil.

If it works with your schedule, another alternative would be early Easter Sunday mass in Ollantaytambo before you get on the train to MP.

Just found the site for the archdiocese of Cusco and here are all the churches:

http://www.arzobispadodelcusco.org/parroquias.php?idioma=1&idpaquete=3&idsubmenu=6

Click on the "Provincia" menu and pick Urubamba, "Distrito" could be Urubamba or Ollantaytambo. Each church has a button for "H. de Misas" (Horario). I am sure they will all have their Easter schedule posted closer to the date.

Good chance to practice your Spanish.

No shortage of churches around. Would suggest Saturday night mass in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo depending which one is closer to the hotel. They probably have early masses if you don't want to stay up for the vigil. Have the hotel call you a taxi that will pick you up. Too bad you are not in Cusco Saturday night because the cathedral would be magnificent for Easter vigil.

 

If it works with your schedule, another alternative would be early Easter Sunday mass in Ollantaytambo before you get on the train to MP.

 

Just found the site for the archdiocese of Cusco and here are all the churches:

http://www.arzobispadodelcusco.org/parroquias.php?idioma=1&idpaquete=3&idsubmenu=6

 

Click on the "Provincia" menu and pick Urubamba, "Distrito" could be Urubamba or Ollantaytambo. Each church has a button for "H. de Misas" (Horario). I am sure they will all have their Easter schedule posted closer to the date.

Good chance to practice your Spanish.

I love the Spanish Mass and used to go all the time. I wish I could do it here where I live, but not possible.

When I inquired with A&K about Easter Sunday Mass, this is the response I received. We decided against changing the itinerary after her response.

We want to stay at the Sanctuary Lodge and we also do not want to take the later train to MP. I guess "I want my cake and eat it too." We will see what we can do about an Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday night. We are staying in Tambo del Inca in Ollantaytambo that night.

I don't know how we got from vaccinations to Easter Sunday Mass, but I guess these threads take on a life of their own.

Anyway, the Princess people believe that because Princess does not require the YF vaccination, the mosquitos will not bite them. The mosquitos will have gotten the message that Princess did not require the vaccination of their passengers and will chose those only those tourists who have received the vaccine to bite. LOL

Terri

We sure got off track.

According to the website, there is a 7 am mass in Ollantaytambo. You would have to check out early from your hotel. The driver can wait for you (or go in like a good boy) and then drive you the 5 minutes to the train. I guess it depends on the train schedule.

Tambo del Inka is in Urubamba. And it looks as if church is 8-10 blocks away. Play it by ear. The Easter schedules are not on the website yet. Also, the town of Yucay is very close to Urubamba (a mile or two), that could work too.

Check google maps for both Ollantaytambo and Urubamba. They show the location of the churches, train station, hotel, etc.

I am sure the Princess mosquitoes are the same trained to read the waivers so they don't bite those passengers.

We sure got off track.

 

According to the website, there is a 7 am mass in Ollantaytambo. You would have to check out early from your hotel. The driver can wait for you (or go in like a good boy) and then drive you the 5 minutes to the train. I guess it depends on the train schedule.

 

Tambo del Inka is in Urubamba. And it looks as if church is 8-10 blocks away. Play it by ear. The Easter schedules are not on the website yet. Also, the town of Yucay is very close to Urubamba (a mile or two), that could work too.

 

Check google maps for both Ollantaytambo and Urubamba. They show the location of the churches, train station, hotel, etc.

 

 

I am sure the Princess mosquitoes are the same trained to read the waivers so they don't bite those passengers.

Thanks Marazul,

I bookmarked the website and will check it periodically. We already have the train time set and A&K says we will not make it if we go to the 7 am Mass. If we cannot go, we will go the first day back on the Ship. HAL has a priest on every sailing.

We thought about skipping MP because of this, but we feel it is probably the only time we will get to SA and MP is on our bucket list.

Now back to the mosquitos and Yellow Fever. I sincerely hope that some of those Princess passengers heed your and greatam's advice and get themselves protected.

Terri

We got our yellow fever jabs yesterday ready for our Princess cruise in Feb. Our travel clinic in Spain said they were required after they checked our itinerary

Sandy in Spain

Somebody posted this on the Star Princess roll call for the Valpo/SF cruise.

"THIS IS THE POST ON THE CDC WEBSITE FOR ECUADOR AND YELLOW FEVER

Requirements: Required for travelers ≥1 year of age arriving from a country with risk of YFV transmission.a Nationals and residents of Ecuador are required to possess certificates of vaccination on their departure to an area with risk of YFV transmission."

They are still all over there arguing about it. Now Princess COULD have gotten a waiver from Ecuador because the ship is only in Lima for 10 hours or so with no other stops in Peru. And there is no YF in Lima.

But I think most are just too cavalier in their attitudes about either the vaccination or the waiver. The disease is dreadful and could easily KILL someone not at the peak of health, particularly on a ship without top notch trauma facilities.

As both of you have posted, the mosquitoes will ONLY be looking for those who don't have a yellow card. Darn smart mosquitoes.

I got my YF shot last year for a SA cruise and visit to Iguazu. Yes it did cost something like $140 but it is good for 10 years. Now I can go anywhere at anytime and not have to worry about this illness. But thinking about this in another way, I spend $20 EVERY year for a flu shot ($200 for 10 years) and the folks making the serum are only guessing what flu strains will be most prevalent. I can still get the flu but I know that yellow fever won't get me, or the Ecuadorian C and I people.

Somebody posted this on the Star Princess roll call for the Valpo/SF cruise.

 

 

"THIS IS THE POST ON THE CDC WEBSITE FOR ECUADOR AND YELLOW FEVER

 

Requirements: Required for travelers ≥1 year of age arriving from a country with risk of YFV transmission.a Nationals and residents of Ecuador are required to possess certificates of vaccination on their departure to an area with risk of YFV transmission."

 

They are still all over there arguing about it. Now Princess COULD have gotten a waiver from Ecuador because the ship is only in Lima for 10 hours or so with no other stops in Peru. And there is no YF in Lima.

 

But I think most are just too cavalier in their attitudes about either the vaccination or the waiver. The disease is dreadful and could easily KILL someone not at the peak of health, particularly on a ship without top notch trauma facilities.

 

As both of you have posted, the mosquitoes will ONLY be looking for those who don't have a yellow card. Darn smart mosquitoes.

I worry about those starting their trip in Brazil or Buenos Aires and go Iguazu Falls, which is endemic for YF. However those on Princess will be immune because Princess is not requiring shots. It appears that there are quite a few people who have not done their homework on that cruise.

Terrri

I am getting on this thread at the last minute but---our original itinerary from Santiago to Ft Lauderdale on Seabourn required no shots. Then about a week ago we noticed (way after final payment) that the website for our trip showed a YF required for Ecuador. We checked with our TA and found out that indeed we needed to get the vaccine. We leave on 1/31. The cruise line does not determine who needs to get the vaccine. Our local public health administered the vaccine (plus Hep AB) and told us that Yellow Fever vaccination is the ONLY vaccination that countries can require. It did not matter how many days in Peru. As others have stated, the agents do not know where you have been or where you are going. Eye-opening for us and we will pay closer attention in the future. Happy Sailing.

We are on the Star Princess 30 day Cruise Rio To SF. First we have a seven day land trip to Machu Pichu four days then to Iguazu Falls for three days.

Help! do I get the Yellow Fever shot or the waiver? At this point I and so confused. When I called the Travel Dr back in the Summer I was told anyone over Sixty should not get the shot. I called yesterday and was told we shoud get the YF shot.

I have read all the threads for immunization CDC and Princess says it is not a required.

Thanks for any information you can give us.

Betty:)

Hi Heiner, We were in the same position. Originally my doc said no to the vaccine because we are over 60. However, when checking with our local county public health department, we were strongly encouraged to get the shot (much, much cheaper than a travel clinic.) My shots, Hep A&B and Yellow Fever were $95.00. Others have paid $300. I made the decision to go ahead and have the shot. We were told that this made great sense because of where we are going. Some of my friends have been older than I and have received the shot. Got it yesterday and not even a sore arm so far. Of course, you should research your own particular health situation as I cannot speak for your situation. Check with your county pubic health. Good Luck!

We are on the Star Princess 30 day Cruise Rio To SF. First we have a seven day land trip to Machu Pichu four days then to Iguazu Falls for three days.

 

Help! do I get the Yellow Fever shot or the waiver? At this point I and so confused. When I called the Travel Dr back in the Summer I was told anyone over Sixty should not get the shot. I called yesterday and was told we shoud get the YF shot.

 

I have read all the threads for immunization CDC and Princess says it is not a required.

 

Thanks for any information you can give us.

 

Betty:)

Hello Betty.

We are also going to Machu Picchu during our stay in Peru. However we are starting our cruise in Buenos Aires and spending two nights at Iguazu Falls. IGUAZU FALLS IS ENDIMIC FOR YELLOW FEVER. It does not matter what Princess requires. You need to be protected. If you are going to Iguazu Falls, you do not want to go there unprotected.

We are both over 60 and my DH has a good many years on 60. However, he is in good health and the travel clinic gave him all the pros and cons of getting the vaccine. He opted to get it. He got it on Dec. 27 and it is now 10 days later and he has had no ill effects. We also received Hep A shots. Travel clinic said that Hep B is transmitted by sexual contact and contaminated needles, etc. and she did not think we needed to worry about that.

We also got tetanus boosters.

As I said in the past, the mosquitos don't decide who to bite or ask if you have had an innoculation. They just bite.

Ecuador is requiring the shot. It would not be a great scenario if when it is time to board, you find out that indeed you need the shot and now have to get it at the port. First it will cost you a fortune and second, you have no idea who is giving you the shot.

Forget about Princess not requiring it. Get the vaccine and be protected.

Terri

We are on the Star Princess 30 day Cruise Rio To SF. snip......

Thanks for any information you can give us. Betty

Wednesday we went to our Dr then the Andalucian Medical Centre specialising in overseas travel. Where they looked at our intinerary for this cruise and said Yes we needed Yellow fever jab despite what others have said.

They went thro our medical history, especially any allergies eg Egg allergy is a contra indicator for the vaccine. Age didn´t come into it (we are both very old!!) Paid our 18€ (approx) each and had them done there and then, walked away with our certificates valid for the next 10 years. So far we have had no re-action to them.

John is now looking for other holidays, cruise, countries who require Yellow Fever certification so we can get the full value of the jab in the future!!!! :D

Sandy in Spain

There is no magic cut off about turning 60 (or being 60++). It does not give you immunity to YF or makes you allergic to the vaccine! If you had no conditions at age 59 that prevent you from getting it, go ahead and get the vaccine. The 60 cutoff is "old" style medical thinking. No valid reason for it, only your individual health is important.

If you are over 60 and have no contraindication for getting the vaccine, insist on getting it. You will be protected for the next 10 years. Even if you are not going to a high risk area now, you might in the future (Amazon cruise?)

There are two reasons to get the vaccine:

1. To protect yourself from a deadly disease - it doesn't matter whether the country affected requires it for entry or not! It's up to you to protect yourself. The waiver does not protect you. If you cannot have the vaccine don't go to affected areas.

2. For a country to protect its citizens - they can require the vaccine for people who have been to affected countries. So if you have been anywhere in an affected country, you can be denied entry to a second country that requires it for entry. The waiver will allow you entry, but you could have been infected if you went to an affected area!

Marazul, just curious, are you a doctor? I did a lot of research before getting this vaccine after age 60 (actually 65). I wanted to know why CDC did not suggest it. I believe everyone needs to do the due diligence before getting any vaccine. Just saying it it is OK is irresponsible. I want to go to Ecuador on my trip from Chili to Ft. Lauderdale so researched the possible side effects. Some are very bad although not common. I took the vaccine and had no repercussions so all is good, but I suggest that everyone look at the side effects of ANY vaccination.

Patti,

I am not saying it is ok for everybody. Just look at my statement: "only your individual health is important" blanket statements about age cutoff are not helpful. The point is if you had walked into the clinic at age 59, they would give you a vaccine, if you walk in a little later, they say you cannot get it because you are over 60. There is no "magic" medical reason for that.

It is also interesting to see that posters such as t60 who lives in Spain did not encounter blanket rules about age. She said "age did not come into it." Could it be because of less likelihood of legal liability? Sometimes it is easier for a clinic that doesn't know you and does not have the facilities to go through an extensive medical history or is afraid the client will not provide a complete medical history to say "you don't have to have it because you are over 60." That's understandable, but you will have to decide whether to go on the trip at all with only a waiver.

The best action is what you probably did, go to your own doctor and ask: "I am traveling to a YF affected area and want to be protected, is there any medical reason why I should not have the YF vaccine?" Side effects are also to be discussed with your doctor. He knows your history and will give you an opinion on how likely you might be to get the side effects based on other vaccinations, illnesses, etc. It all goes back to your individual health, not your age.

I agree, Marazul. I had a rather interesting experience. My doc said no. The county public health (who called CDC with my particular issues) said, "there are no contraindications." So onward and upward. Off to Chili three weeks from today!! Yea.

All's well then.

Happy and healthy travels!

We are on the Star Princess 30 day Cruise Rio To SF. First we have a seven day land trip to Machu Pichu four days then to Iguazu Falls for three days.

 

Help! do I get the Yellow Fever shot or the waiver? At this point I and so confused. When I called the Travel Dr back in the Summer I was told anyone over Sixty should not get the shot. I called yesterday and was told we shoud get the YF shot.

 

I have read all the threads for immunization CDC and Princess says it is not a required.

 

Thanks for any information you can give us.

 

Betty:)

Hi,

Just curious......did you end up getting the YF shot or did you get the waiver? We plan to be at Iguassu Falls a day or two after you'll be there. And we'll be in Machu Picchu about 3 weeks after you're there. See you at the Sheraton and/or on the Star.:)

Then it is really strange that HAL is requiring the vaccinations and the logic is that Ecuador requires the vaccination for anyone entering from Peru. The nurse at the travel clinic where I received my shots also said the same thing.

Terri

What's the current requirement for Yellow Fever vaccination to spend 6 hours on Devils Island (Viking 21 Dec). Cruise line said they recently received notice from French Guiana of a requirement. CDC site seems to say a YF vaccination within 10 years is required by French Guiana, yet CDC no longer recommends the booster. My YF was Jan 1988.:confused:

I've seen postings that only mainland FG had the requirement but they were years old. I'm not sure the cost ~$400 USD per person for "travel exam" and shot makes sense for 6 hours ashore.

As for Yellow Fever...on our upcoming 'round South America cruise our Doctor explained it to us this way...at age 18 your chances of having an adverse reaction is about 1 in 1,000,000, after age 65 it's about 1 in 10,000.

She looked at where we're going (coastal cities only) and determined that our chances of a bad reaction were higher then our chance of exposure at those ports (and I know she did a lot of research on this). We did not get the vaccine but still have our 'yellow card' to show we are exempt. Really, I didn't care either way and we're covered now for our trip so we're happy.

What's the current requirement for Yellow Fever vaccination to spend 6 hours on Devils Island (Viking 21 Dec). Cruise line said they recently received notice from French Guiana of a requirement. CDC site seems to say a YF vaccination within 10 years is required by French Guiana, yet CDC no longer recommends the booster. My YF was Jan 1988.:confused:

 

I've seen postings that only mainland FG had the requirement but they were years old. I'm not sure the cost ~$400 USD per person for "travel exam" and shot makes sense for 6 hours ashore.

Update. Due to resupply delay Viking Sea bypassed Sulat Islands, making my question mute. Guess we'll visit a travel doc before our 2019 WC.

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