You have to take the rough with the smooth as they say, so on the basis I'll be travelling for 6 months mostly across Asia and the Indian Sub-Continent from November 2016, I looked into what vaccinations I needed and when. The cost soon racked up!!
Obviously different destinations require different vaccination requirements and I found out you can get some free on the NHS as a UK citizen while others are private prescriptions.
The Freebies
I had Diphtheria, Tetanus, Typhoid and my Hep A & B vaccines done about 6-8 weeks before travel. I couldn't remember when I last had my Hepatitis one's done so I was given a booster which I was told lasts about 10 years. That'll do me!
The Non-Freebies
Cholera
This disease is spread through contaminated food and water in areas with poor sanitation, so as I will be in some remote parts of Asia and India, I thought it would be wise to get this. I got this vaccine through a private prescription from the GP and it's actually not an injection! I was given Dukoral which is an oral solution. You take the first dose at least 2 weeks before the trip and the second dose at least one week after the first dose and you must keep it in the fridge, the same as the Rabies vaccine, so my fridge is looking rather pharmaceutical at the moment! It protects you for about 2 years but you need to give your body time to produce anti-bodies which is why you must take it before your trip.
It cost me £60.
Japanese Encephalitis
This disease is spread through mosquitoes mainly throughout South East Asia mainly in rural areas, a viral disease causing flu like symptoms. This was also on a private prescription and is expensive! I was give 2 doses spread about 4 weeks apart through injections in to the upper arm which actually didn't really hurt, more of a sharp scratch. You need the first dose at least a month before travelling and it generally gives you immunity for 1 year.
It cost me £160 for 2 doses.
Rabies
Rabies is spread through the bite or saliva from an infected animal such as bats or dogs. You are more prone if you have an open wound, cut or graze. Again, this was a private prescription from the GP and is 3 doses over the course of a month, with the second injection given after a week and the last injection given 4 weeks after the first. I picked these up from the pharmacy and kept them in the fridge as required - mine was called Rabipur and it should last between 3-5 years.
It cost me £60 per dose. £180 in total.
Malaria
As with most Malaria areas, it's important to follow the basics such as using repellent, wear longer sleeves and trousers in the evening, using a mosquito net when sleeping etc etc. I have been prescribed Malarone tablets which is enough for about a 3-4 week trip of an infected area. Again it's not cheap and you may need more or less tablets dependent on where you are going. For me, this should be enough, although you need to start taking these tablets 2 weeks before you enter an at risk area and for 2-3 weeks after due to any incubation period. I look forward to that!!
It cost me £120 for 4 weeks worth of protection.
The things we do for the love of travel, eh!
