Immunizations?

[Friscoonetwo]

The in-laws of a friend who works with my DW are telling her <the friend> that before they can board the Island Princess on Jan. 20, 2014, they must show proof of a yellow fever and malaria immunizations. They did not say where they got the information but me thinks that some one is pulling their leg. Or are they right and it is something that my DW and I need to think about for our Jan 19, 2014 Panama Cruise on the Coral. I searched the Princess website as best I could and found nothing.

Thanks for any input

Frisco

[capriccio]

The in-laws of a friend who works with my DW are telling her <the friend> that before they can board the Island Princess on Jan. 20, 2014, they must show proof of a yellow fever and malaria immunizations. They did not say where they got the information but me thinks that some one is pulling their leg. Or are they right and it is something that my DW and I need to think about for our Jan 19, 2014 Panama Cruise on the Coral. I searched the Princess website as best I could and found nothing.

Thanks for any input

Frisco

 

I have never heard of immunizations required on the Panama Canal cruises - we didn't get any in 2008. We were on a cruise from FLL to Manaus, Brazil (Amazon cruise) requiring the yellow fever vaccine in 2010 - but that was a Brazilian requirement since we stopped on Devils' Island en route which had been identified as a yellow fever location. On that cruise our international travel clinic recommended malaria pills but I know many folks didn't take them.

 

Enjoy the cruise - it was one of my favorites!

[LARGIN]

They are incorrect. No immunization needed..

[bhopal21]

Someone is giving you incorrect information.

 

Mike:)

[Essiesmom]

There is no immunization available for Malaria. EM

[caber]

When we did this a few years ago yellow fever immunisation was recommended but not obligatory. We got it but most of our friends did not. We were never asked.

[sunshine100]

You can go to this site and put what country you are going to visit and see what the CDC recommends. http://www.cdc.gov/travel

[cowprintrabbit]

There is no immunization available for Malaria. EM

 

There are anti-malarial pills, but our travel doc said the side effects are sometimes worse than having malaria. Since we were not staying in the jungle, we just made sure we had the ExOfficio BugsAway clothing, including socks, when we took a tour that went outside the city areas.

[Ethel5]

No shots are required for Panama Canal. If taking a deep jungle tour, then it might change, but all of the ship tours are mainly in the city.

[Host Jazzbeau]

DW is somewhat obsessive about immunizations, so we consulted an Infectious Diseases specialist. [This was for a variety of itineraries, current and planned.]

 

He recommended Hep-A and Typhoid vaccines -- no side effects.

 

He also recommended the anti-malaria pills, which we took last year -- I was fine but DW had sharp pains in the guttal area [as Woody Allen might say]. This year we are relying on the British Colonial approach: lots of gin and tonic. ;)

[Aus Traveller]

If your wife is concerned about malaria, I think rather than taking anti-malarial pills when you are on a cruise, I suggest wearing long pants/sleeves and using anti-insect spray on exposed skin.

[Pam in CA]

The only reason to maybe get Immunizations in Panama is if you were going into the jungle and staying outside at night. For a cruise, they aren't necessary.

[cowprintrabbit]

If your wife is concerned about malaria, I think rather than taking anti-malarial pills when you are on a cruise, I suggest wearing long pants/sleeves and using anti-insect spray on exposed skin.

 

Exactly - trying to remember where the tour was in the mangrove swamp... Colombia? It was amazing l but we were sooooo glad we had protective clothing. The Exoffico works a treat and doesn't feel gross like repellant.

 

I can't take the one malaria pill due to GI issues, and the other one can cause nightmares if you are susceptible, which I definitely am (just ask poor DH...)

[Astro Flyer]

You can go to this site and put what country you are going to visit and see what the CDC recommends. http://www.cdc.gov/travel

Thanks for that website...very helpful! :)

[caribill]

DW is somewhat obsessive about immunizations, so we consulted an Infectious Diseases specialist. [This was for a variety of itineraries, current and planned.]

 

He recommended Hep-A and Typhoid vaccines -- no side effects.

 

He also recommended the anti-malaria pills, which we took last year -- I was fine but DW had sharp pains in the guttal area [as Woody Allen might say]. This year we are relying on the British Colonial approach: lots of gin and tonic. ;)

 

 

OP asked about what is required, and the answer is nothing.

 

However getting recommended shots is often a good idea.

[pompeii]

DH and I are on a full transit next March on the Island, and we are getting the Hep A & B and Typhoid shots. I also don't think they are really necessary, but since the CDC recommends them our doctors are giving them to us. We will be "off the beaten path" for the day in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, so I guess better safe than sorry. My doctor asked if we would be eating or drinking anything off the ship and said that food and drink can be a source of hepatitis. We aren't taking the malaria pills; I remember the very vivid dreams from the Chloroquine I had to take when I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Costa Rica 25 years ago. Interesting to say the least!

[Friscoonetwo]

Just as I thought, somebody was pulling their leg. Wife's last day of work today and the Panama trip is a retirement trip for her. Really looking forward to it. We have cruised before but always on the 7 day ones because of work. 11 will be a treat for us.

[Happy2cruise]

Have done the Panama Canal cruise three times and no shots were ever required. Have a great cruise.......good way to start retirement;);)

[Hlitner]

Just did a Panama Canal cruise a couple of months ago and can assure the OP that nobody needs a Yellow Fever Vaccination on that itinerary. As to Malaria, as somebody mentioned, there is no such thing as a Malaria vaccination (YET).

 

Hank

[bhopal21]

Just as I thought, somebody was pulling their leg. Wife's last day of work today and the Panama trip is a retirement trip for her. Really looking forward to it. We have cruised before but always on the 7 day ones because of work. 11 will be a treat for us.

 

Congratulations to your wife!

 

I have two more weeks.

 

You will love the canal cruise, just be prepared for very hot weather.

 

Mike:)