Most travel vaccinations are FREE on the NHS - definitely Typhoid & Hep A.

We took chloquorine and each time we took it it gave us upset stomachs, which only lasted a couple of days. We went to Puerta Plata but apparently there have not been any cases in this region and no one (apart from the English)had bothered with the tablets. The East and South side have had a few cases but none since Jan so I've read. Best to ask at the Chemists though.

i'm off to have my injections this morning. is it okay to have them 5 weeks before travel?

Hi B

We have been to Caribbean 8 times now and have taken Chloroquine on all trips without any problems, but I do know that a few folks have reported that they make them vomit.

Your GP seems to be giving you stange advice as Malarone is not a normally recommended tablet for the caribbean.

Chloroquine is not recommended if you have epilepsy or psoriasis.

Proguanil ( or Paludrine ) is the other recommended anti-malarial for DR which can be taken if you have epilepsy or psoriasis.

Both the above can be bought cheaply over the counter at a pharmacy without prescription and need to be taken for a week before you go until 4 weeks after you are back.

Not sure why your GP would suggest Malarone unless you have an unusual medical condition.

For more information see :

http://www.traveldoctor.co.uk/namerica.htm#2nd

In my experience you will get the best advice from an independant pharmacy and talk to the Pharmacist ( who will most likely be the owner and so cares more about his business than an employee in a multiple ).

Good luck and stay healthy

Scubaman

Different injections have differing times to become effective. Talk to your health professional who is giving the injections, they will tell you when they become effective, if you need further injections as part of a course to give long term immunity etc etc.

Better 5 minutes before you go than not at all so 5 weeks is better still.

Stay healthy and enjoy

Scubaman

we all took chloroquine last year, a week before we went 2 weeks whilst we were there and 4 weeks after, none of us were ill with it. This year we couldnt get it and have been given avloclor so hopefully we will be O.K with this. I agree its better to be safe than sorry.

We went to the DR in April of this year and my husband took Chloroquine and I took Proguanil, which is a lot more expensive but it was recommended by the pharmacist. My husband had no ill effects but I had a stomach upset for a week before, while we were there and 3 weeks after we got back. Didn't put it down to the tablets at first but after a while started to wonder and am now pretty sure that they had something to do with it, as it stopped as soon as i stopped taking them! Just think it depends on the individual, because it was the Chloroquine that we were worried about, but my husband was fine!
Sunaholic.

Hi Karen

Avlochlor and Nivaquine are both brand names for Chloroquine so you should be fine.

Scubaman

thanks scubaman that puts my mind at rest now. Anyway I need to take two next week

Booked up, at last. Going to Cuba (Varedero) next July. Do we need to have any vacinations, if yes, which ones and when do you have them. Also do we need to take anything special in the medicine department, apart from the usual Paracetemol and tummy pills. Thanks, 8).

When in July you booked to go? check out http://www.netdoctor.co.uk.

Are you bothered over the weather at all?

You can also get all the latest country and health information from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Darren

I have booked to go to Cuba in July/Aug next year. What Jabs should I have and when?. Also do I need to take anything special in the medicine bag apart from the usual paracetomol and tummy pills.

Vaccinations are recommended Cuba have a look at
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/travel/caribbean/cuba.shtml
you should consider taking dehydration sachets, and anti mozzie spray containing deet.
Insulated mugs are good for keeping your drinks cold, we left them as gifts with members of the staff we made friends with.

We are going to Mexico (Secrets Excellence Riviera Cancun) in November and wondered if we need to get any immunisations before we go and if so how long should we get them before we travel. Would we also have to take malaria tablets too? cheers,

yes you do need injections as far as I know. Go see the doctor or ask the receptionist about injections.

Going in 2 weeks, had to have HEP A, DIPTHERIA, TETANUS AND POLIO. Also we need to take malaria tablets

Thanks for the replies. I will speak to the nurse at my Doctors surgery.
Why should I be bothered about the weather??? Is there something I should Know !

The dept of health website is quite good for imms updates. I think its doh.gov.uk!! Something like that. At the moment they are recommending Hep A and Typhoid which you may be able to get as a combined vac. They recommend prophylactic malaria tabs but as Future bride has already mentioned pop and see your doctor for their advice on wether its worth taking them.