Health issue to consider

[farmboy]

My wife is a registered nurse & a registered dietitian and advises everyone going to Jamaica to be sure to get yourself up-to-date on needed immunizations. If you have not had the necessary shots to protect yourself, particulary from hepatitis, you may end up regretting it. If you are certain that you will not leave the resort property you'll probably be OK. But if you may explore the island you'll need to see your doctor or local health department for the proper protection. You need to do this right away because the immunizations need a week or so after the shot before it is effective. This is not a call for alarm, but is definitely something you should consider.

Got my shots yesterday......so I'm ready to go down and get CRAZY!!!! ;D

[mg]

hey farmboy, hand over some more info, please! I had hep shots a few years ago, and at that time you received one and then had to have another shot at six months. has the vaccine changed, will it be [glow=red,2,300]totally[/glow] efficacious this close to departure, and how long does the immunization last? thanks!

[farmboy]

Farmgirl says you're OK, mg!! If the hep shots you got a few years ago were for Hepatitis A and were an initial shot followed six months later by a booster, then you are set for life and will never need them again.

For those who have not gotten shots before, if you should get the initial shot a week or so before departure , then you'll be 60-80% protected.

[mg]

Good to know, and i think any travellers to the Caribbean or Mexico should get the shot. My insurance didnt cover the shots and they were expensive, except considering the alternative! thanks!
What other shots did you get, farmboy?
mg

[farmboy]

Cool to be protected, mg, but too bad your insurance didn't cover it !! My BC/BS paid for me & farmgirl. The other shot I got was a tetanus booster....not because of where we're going, but just an added precaution because we won't be wearing as many clothes as we usually do......... Now we're not staying on the "au naturel'" side, but we'll be more open to cuts & wounds!!