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Yellow Fever Vaccinations.

Discussion in 'Health and Fitness' started by Dave_E, Nov 11, 2014.

  1. Dave_E
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    Dave_E Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I have never considered yellow fever vaccination to be important for visiting Asian countries such as Thailand and the Philippines.

    However I am currently in Panama, flying back to the UK later this week, and then on to Thailand a week later. It was only yesterday afternoon that I realised that I will need a yellow fever vaccination certification to enter Thailand, as it will be less than ten days after I leave Panama.

    Yesterday evening I was the mad Gringo (*) waving a piece of paper "¿dónde puedo obtener la vacuna contra la fiebre amarilla en Panamá" at the staff in a local pharmacy, my favourite microbrewery pub, and then later on at a local hospital.

    Finally I discovered the address for the "Oficina de Vacunación Internacional" in Los Rios, and headed out there this morning.

    I arrived at the vaccination centre at 8:00 in the morning, it took only 15 minutes to have the injection and receive the certificate which comes into effect in ten days time, that is the day before I fly to Thailand.

    Saved at the last minute, and such pleasant staff at the vaccination centre. The cost was 5 USD, (£3.15) for an injection that would cost over £50 in the UK.

    (*) I have noticed that the staff at my favourite microbrewery pub file my bar tab under the name "Gringo".
    • Funny Funny x 2
  2. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Is it because you have been in Panama you need a yellow fever jab to enter Thailand?

    I had one last year when I was threatened with an offshore job in Nigeria which thankfully didn't come off.

    I always thought it was mainly the African countries when you had to have the cert.
  3. Dave_E
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    Dave_E Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I always check against the IATA Timatic Database before travelling, this is most easily referenced from the information section on the websites of various airlines such as KLM, Lufthansa etc.

    I believe that this is the database used by check-in staff at the airport. I always try to carry a recent printout of this for each country I am visiting so that I can "help them", after all it is quite a complex situation with so many nationalities travelling to and from different countries with different visa and health requirements.

    I noticed that the Thailand information clearly states:
    Panama is listed as being one of the many countries with the risk of yellow fever transmission.

    I suppose that if yellow fever reaches Thailand it is more likely to spread than if it reaches England, as it is spread by mosquitos.

    Whilst it is quite possible that nobody would notice that I have visited Panama, it is better to have the injection than to run the risk of being refused boarding by the airport check-in staff.
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2014
  4. subseastu
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    subseastu I'm Bruce Wayne Lifetime Member

    Since I first went to sea we where always required to have yellow fever jabs regardless of where we where off to. I was told back then that because of the jab I wasn't allowed to donate blood. Don't know if that is still true
  5. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I think you cannot donate blood for a couple of weeks after the jab as some of the vaccine may travel to the recipient during that time.

    Always good to have the jab if you're traveling around and do not know where you next job is.
    • Agree Agree x 1

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