[Stan W.]

Vaccinations for travel to Africa

by Stan W. on Fri Feb 27, 2015 1:58 pm

Can anybody tell me about the safety of vaccines needed for travel to Africa?

I'm in CR/sCR for almost two years. IgG kappa. No transplant.

Vaccines or boosters include:

• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A and B
• Tetanus
• Polio
• Measles, mumps and rubella

Also, malaria pills and pills to ward of altitude sickness.

And, possibly, yellow fever and rabies vaccines.

[Dr. Jonathan Kaufman]

Re: Vaccinations for travel to Africa

by Dr. Jonathan Kaufman on Fri Feb 27, 2015 11:21 pm

The question I have that may change my answer has to do with your current treatment. If you are on treatment with steroids, I would not get the MMR vaccine. I know you haven't had a transplant, but we are giving our patients the MMR vaccine two years after transplant even if they are on maintenance Revlimid. So, if you are on Revlimid, the MMR vaccine should be ok.

It's ok to go ahead with the inactivated typhoid shot (not the oral).

And it's ok to get the hep A and B, tetanus, and inactivated polio vaccines.

The yellow fever vaccine is a live virus, so my recommendations are the same as the MMR vaccine.

I would be surprised if they recommended the rabies vaccine without a known exposure.

Most importantly, I would speak to a travel medicine specialist as well as your myeloma physician.

Best of luck,

Jlk

[lelser]

Re: Vaccinations for travel to Africa

by lelser on Sat Feb 28, 2015 1:47 am

Africa is BIG, and it would help to know where you intend to go.

As for anti-malarials, it's also best to be specific about the location. I prefer Lariam (mefloquine hydrochloride) – it's once a week and, if I take it in the evening, I get weird dreams and a slightly off day. It's also a good anti-malarial for Tanzania and Kenya, which is where I usually am.

Yellow fever certificates are required for some border crossings. If you're staying within a country, flying in and out from Europe, you shouldn't need it. If you're crossing from Kenya to Tanzania, you might be required to present it or pay a bribe.

[Stan W.]

Re: Vaccinations for travel to Africa

by Stan W. on Tue Mar 17, 2015 5:40 pm

I'm climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro with a team of 10.

I got the OK from my doctor. But no Revlimid for those 2 weeks. I'm in CR and take 10 mg of Revlimid every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. No breaks.

Yellow fever isn't needed. In fact, most aren't.

But I'll get the hepatitis A and B, and tetanus.