injections for Pacific Islands????

[sunbaker]

Hi everyone.

We are starting to get very excited/nervous as we leave in 20 days on Pacific Dawn to Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Ports are Noumea, Suva, Savu Savu, Port Vila, Port Denarau, Mystery Island and (hopefully) Isle of Pines.

My doctor informed me today that I will need to have immunisations against diptheria, and something else and take malaria tablets. I have been reading these forums for a while and not noticed anyone else mention this.

Just wondering if getting the injections is the norm, along with taking Malaria tablets??

Thanks,

[Ela 2]

We have been to these ports several times and have never had injections. I don't know of anyone who has injections prior to a Pacific Islands cruise.

 

We don't usually eat ashore so that removes a lot of risks.

 

In my opinion mossies aren't a problem because we are not ashore at dawn and dusk. The only place I have seen mosquitos is at the Cascades in Vila. I have had Ross River Fever after being bitten by a mossie at home so I am very edgy about them. If I am ever concerned I use insect repellent. My doctor advised against malaria medication because of possible side-effects. Prior to a cruise that called into Rabaul he advised measures to stop being bitten (long sleeves & pants, insect repellent).

 

I have outlined what we do and I am not suggesting what you should or shouldn't do. :):)

 

Evon.

[thied]

Hi everyone.

We are starting to get very excited/nervous as we leave in 20 days on Pacific Dawn to Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Ports are Noumea, Suva, Savu Savu, Port Vila, Port Denarau, Mystery Island and (hopefully) Isle of Pines.

My doctor informed me today that I will need to have immunisations against diptheria, and something else and take malaria tablets. I have been reading these forums for a while and not noticed anyone else mention this.

Just wondering if getting the injections is the norm, along with taking Malaria tablets??

Thanks,

if you never been over sea or its been along time,i would take your doctors advice.

[rkmw]

Hi everyone.

We are starting to get very excited/nervous as we leave in 20 days on Pacific Dawn to Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Ports are Noumea, Suva, Savu Savu, Port Vila, Port Denarau, Mystery Island and (hopefully) Isle of Pines.

My doctor informed me today that I will need to have immunisations against diptheria, and something else and take malaria tablets. I have been reading these forums for a while and not noticed anyone else mention this.

Just wondering if getting the injections is the norm, along with taking Malaria tablets??

Thanks,

 

hi sunbaker, what Evon has said is right, we have been there lots of times and never had any injections or taken any form of tablets

 

the first couple and last couple of days of the cruise it can be cool so take some warm clothes just in case

 

rkmw

[Skyrules]

Hi everyone.

We are starting to get very excited/nervous as we leave in 20 days on Pacific Dawn to Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Ports are Noumea, Suva, Savu Savu, Port Vila, Port Denarau, Mystery Island and (hopefully) Isle of Pines.

My doctor informed me today that I will need to have immunisations against diptheria, and something else and take malaria tablets. I have been reading these forums for a while and not noticed anyone else mention this.

Just wondering if getting the injections is the norm, along with taking Malaria tablets??

Thanks,

 

Sunbaker, I think your Dr might be being a bit overcautious. As long as you are up to date with your normal immunistions; measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diptheria, pertussis (whooping cough) you should be fine. A flu vaccination would be a good idea as well.

 

Malaria isn't a problem in the South Pacific so there's no need to go to the expense (and hassle) of malaria tablets. Just take plenty of mossie repelant and apply liberally for protection from other mossie-born illnesses (Dengue fever & the like) that you can't get vaccinated against.

 

I would suggest if you've got any doubts, talk to a travel medicine specialists. In recent years I've had a lot of profession dealings with GPs about immunisation issues, and in most cases GPs don't really have a good understanding of travel vaccinations, which are a specialist area.

[qld cruiser]

Hi Sunbaker, if you suffer from any chronic illness, then maybe your doctor wanted you to have the vaccinations..

Malaria is in the Pacific Islands, but mainly in remote areas that cruise ships don't go.

the other needle he mentioned may be Hep B.

 

be careful and drink only bottled water.

carry hand sanitizer with you.

as others have mentioned take mossie repellent.

 

 

kind regards, Lorraine:):)

[Itachi]

When we went last year some got I think Malaria and Hep B?

 

I didn't bother, for my fear of needles and basically I was just advised to a) clean hands before anything goes into your mouth... just incase u've touched something. DO NOT eat any sea food on the islands.

 

Other than that I don't believe there is anything else to do if you don't get it. I didnt last time and i was fine, some in our group got the injection and they were fine. Just weigh up the pros and cons and yeah. It is not compulsory however...

[Drelix]

Going on my 4th cruise and has never heard of the injections till the third cruise and i have no problems.

 

 

I think its a personal prefrence if you want to get them or not.

[jingles83]

There is actually a form that a doctor completes and faxes off to travel authority (?can't think of the name) who then recommend if any injections etc required. Was at dr's today with daughter and told her we go on cruise shortly and she filled out the form and said she would fax off but didn't think there was anything.

 

Otherwise she did suggest taking tummy stuff and some antibiotics just in case. (you know for norovirus etc). She did mention malaria but I said we are only on the islands for one day each and she agreed wouldn't be required. I thought if anything Hep B or A might be needed and maybe tetanus depending on how long it's been.

 

Going back in 2 weeks to discuss what we need if anything so will let you all know. We've all had the flu shot but my 7 year old needs another dose as anyone under 9 needs 2 doses of fluvax for their first time.

 

Cheers

Jingles:)

[ozzy_emg]

I am not sure if I can post this link or not, I read through the guidelines and couldnt really find anything about it. I apologise in advance if it breaches rules of CC

 

http://www.traveldoctor.com.au/vaccination.html

 

If you type in the destination on the travel planner it will give you a report of all the diseases and recommended vaccinations. Its a very handy reference guide.

 

I had all the vaccinations last year as I stayed in Vanuatu for 2 months and went to the outer islands where Malaria and Typhoid exists. As you only stay in port for a day i dont think its needed.

[Ela 2]

I had all the vaccinations last year as I stayed in Vanuatu for 2 months and went to the outer islands where Malaria and Typhoid exists. As you only stay in port for a day i dont think its needed.

As a few people have said, the main point is that we are only in each island for several hours on one day. We aren't staying overnight and we (usually) aren't eating and drinking ashore. If you just ask the question about (for instance) Vanuatu, there would probably be a recommendation for several immunisations.

 

In my opinion a flu vaccination is essential. I don't mind having boosters for the usual (polio, tetanus, diptheria, whooping cough etc.) but I wouldn't take anti-malaria medicaton. I wouldn't need a typhoid immunisation because I won't be drinking the water or eating the food ashore.

 

Evon.

 

Evon.

[thied]

As a few people have said, the main point is that we are only in each island for several hours on one day. We aren't staying overnight and we (usually) aren't eating and drinking ashore. If you just ask the question about (for instance) Vanuatu, there would probably be a recommendation for several immunisations.

 

In my opinion a flu vaccination is essential. I don't mind having boosters for the usual (polio, tetanus, diptheria, whooping cough etc.) but I wouldn't take anti-malaria medicaton. I wouldn't need a typhoid immunisation because I won't be drinking the water or eating the food ashore.

 

Evon.

 

Evon.

thats a very good point having a boosters for the usual (polio, tetanus, diptheria, whooping cough ) , whooping cough only will last 12 to 15 yrs so experts say so yes to to that i had mine today all good,

[jingles83]

thats a very good point having a boosters for the usual (polio, tetanus, diptheria, whooping cough ) , whooping cough only will last 12 to 15 yrs so experts say so yes to to that i had mine today all good,

 

I read recently that all new parents are being given whooping cough immunisations because of the recent surge in cases, due to people not immunising. Not a nice thing to see a baby with whooping cough.

[OverTheTop]

We've all had the flu shot but my 7 year old needs another dose as anyone under 9 needs 2 doses of fluvax for their first time.

 

Cheers

Jingles:)

 

We all recently had flu shots also my GP didn't mention my two youngest (under 6) needed a second shot. I had better give them a call tomorrow. The Travel Doctor website has lots of good current advice regarding immunisations.

 

Angela

 

P.S. Not long now Jingles we are on PD same time as you are on PS. I'm excited!:)

[thied]

I read recently that all new parents are being given whooping cough immunisations because of the recent surge in cases, due to people not immunising. Not a nice thing to see a baby with whooping cough.

most good gp,s are saying that all adults should have a booster shot if is more the 12-15 yrs old for there last shot

[jingles83]

We all recently had flu shots also my GP didn't mention my two youngest (under 6) needed a second shot. I had better give them a call tomorrow. The Travel Doctor website has lots of good current advice regarding immunisations.

 

Angela

 

P.S. Not long now Jingles we are on PD same time as you are on PS. I'm excited!:)

 

Hi Angela,

 

Certainly counting down in this house we can't wait. We were supposed to do the 2nd fluvax 4 weeks later but you know things happen, time gets away etc. So I asked at the drs the other day and she said that's ok and recommended we still do it so she will have it when we go back in 2 weeks. Couldn't do it that day at drs as she has a cold virus, but at least no flu. :)

 

Cheers

Jingles.:D

[sunbaker]

Thanks for all your advice.

 

I do have a single kidney and some loss of kidney function (but I am really healthy still!! :) Maybe that's why the doctor recommnended the shots.

She tends to be a bit overprecautious at the best of times anyway.

 

Well I have had my shots today (no harm I suppose) tetanus, hep B, and typhoid injections. She forgot about the malaria tablets I think so I didn't remind her LOL. I will just use Aeroguard (insect repellant) when we go to the Cascade Falls etc.

 

So thanks for your help and advice everyone!