Hepatitis Vaccinations recommended?

Bob G · 05-08-2009

My wife and I will be traveling to Playa during July. I have seen where hepatitis vaccinations are recommended for travelers to Mexico. How many of you have had the vaccinations? Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Anna Banana · 05-08-2009

My personal thought is that vaccinations for all hepatitis should be done always, even if you are not planning on any travelling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob G

My wife and I will be traveling to Playa during July. I have seen where hepatitis vaccinations are recommended for travelers to Mexico. How many of you have had the vaccinations? Any thoughts?

Thanks.

penalipee · 05-08-2009

Well personally myself and my youngest son have been going to Playa for the last 6 yrs and never had this shot...or any shot.
I guess there is always a chance that you could contract hepatitis but I've never worried about it.

Westernstargal · 05-08-2009

I can't remember the last time I had a Hepatitis Vaccination???? And I have been to Mexico every year since 2005.....

Rissask · 05-08-2009

We have been to Mexico over a dozen times now; my husband has not had the shots, and I have not had the shots either- partly because I had viral hepatitus (the not as bad kind) when I was nine so I am immune to that, and partly due to pure laziness.
And it's not likely I would contract the type you get from blood or other fluids (and the shots don't protect against that one anyway, I don't think).

BUT I do think that we really should get them, the TwinRix. It is a good idea to have it, and it will give you peace of mind.

Better safe than sorry.

It is really a very easy and relatively inexpensive thing that anyone travelling anywhere in the world should do. IMO.

if you are going in July you will only have time to have one shot, I think there are two 6 months apart, or close? Ask you Dr. It will still give you some protection though.

Westernstargal · 05-08-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rissask

We have been to Mexico over a dozen times now; my husband has not had the shots, and I have not had the shots either- partly because I had viral hepatitus (the not as bad kind) when I was nine so I am immune to that, and partly due to pure laziness.
And it's not likely I would contract the type you get from blood or other fluids (and the shots don't protect against that one anyway, I don't think).

BUT I do think that we really should get them, the TwinRix. It is a good idea to have it, and it will give you peace of mind.

Better safe than sorry.

It is really a very easy and relatively inexpensive thing that anyone travelling anywhere in the world should do. IMO.

if you are going in July you will only have time to have one shot, I think there are two 6 months apart, or close? Ask you Dr. It will still give you some protection though.

True...true!!!!

Rissask · 05-08-2009

Now I just have to take my own advice!

I should have added too that this is not a place to get medical advice.

Everyone should talk to their family doctor about questions regarding health.

Jon McAtee · 05-08-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob G

My wife and I will be traveling to Playa during July. I have seen where hepatitis vaccinations are recommended for travelers to Mexico. How many of you have had the vaccinations? Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Hey Bob G,

Hepatitis shots can give you a piece of mind. In my opinion, don’t hesitate in receiving them. As one other post pointed out, you’ll need a series of two shots over a six month period. However, there are a few strands of hepatitis to consider. I would advise you contacting your local Heath Department for these shots. Health Departments are usually inexpensive and very efficient.

Anna Banana · 05-08-2009

Well of course I think that had alreday been considered prior asking for personal opinions/experiences!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rissask

Now I just have to take my own advice!

I should have added too that this is not a place to get medical advice.

Everyone should talk to their family doctor about questions regarding health.

Mo66 · 05-08-2009

I have had my hepatitis injections since I work for a physician and my husband has not had his and we have been going since 2003. No problems for either of us.

Mo

kbb964 · 05-08-2009

We have hepatitus shots , it is an entry requirement for entry to the USA for work.

My uk friend had all the shots for their Mexico trip but they travel a lot to some faraway places.

If you want peace of mind get them . Its no biggy.

FredGarvin · 05-08-2009

Are you guys talking about A or B?

hobiecat · 05-08-2009

Because the twinrex ads are run by the drug companies I enquired. Both my doctor and travel clinic advised Twinrex (both hep A and B) as we are there several times a year. Friends have also been told both are preferable but Hep A will do if there is a short time frame but really should have B also if getting pedicures, manicures etc. Also you may want to ask about a tetnus shot and a prescription for antibiotics. A visit to a travel clinic will provide you with the advice that you require.

mexisv · 05-08-2009

We got them (A and B) a couple years ago. Our insurance completely covered it full cost. We thought since we work in the wastewater business it would be a good idea for us. We are very careful, just as a health care person would be but mistakes do happen.

okieFNP · 05-08-2009

There's just never a quick and easy answer.

Assuming that you are referring to Hepatitis A, the CDC does recommend travelers to Mexico get vaccinated. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recently accepted the view that receipt of even the first dose (of a 2 dose series, second dose to be given no less than 6 months after the first) of Hep A vaccine anytime before travel confers acceptable immunity. It used to be that those with certain health risks due to existing conditions and planning to travel in less than 2 weeks should receive Immune Globulin before travel as it confers immediate immunity (but is only effective for 3 months), while it was thought that Hep A vaccine requires 2 to 4 weeks to mount an acceptable immunity. So like other posters have recommended, speak to your health care provider about what is best for your specific situation. Age, health status, and what particular setting you are planning to visit must all be considered. Going to a tourist area and staying in a hotel/resort does not pose the same risk as living among indigenous people in a non-developed area (think "mission trip").

05-08-2009	#1 (permalink)
Bob G sandflea Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3	Hepatitis Vaccinations recommended? My wife and I will be traveling to Playa during July. I have seen where hepatitis vaccinations are recommended for travelers to Mexico. How many of you have had the vaccinations? Any thoughts? Thanks.

05-08-2009	#13 (permalink)
hobiecat very sparkly Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 34	Because the twinrex ads are run by the drug companies I enquired. Both my doctor and travel clinic advised Twinrex (both hep A and B) as we are there several times a year. Friends have also been told both are preferable but Hep A will do if there is a short time frame but really should have B also if getting pedicures, manicures etc. Also you may want to ask about a tetnus shot and a prescription for antibiotics. A visit to a travel clinic will provide you with the advice that you require. Last edited by hobiecat; 05-08-2009 at 07:51 PM..

05-08-2009	#3 (permalink)
penalipee añejo Join Date: May 2004 Location: Westbank/PDC Posts: 1,763	Well personally myself and my youngest son have been going to Playa for the last 6 yrs and never had this shot...or any shot. I guess there is always a chance that you could contract hepatitis but I've never worried about it.

05-08-2009	#4 (permalink)
Westernstargal life=playa Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Martin's Mill, Texas Posts: 606	I can't remember the last time I had a Hepatitis Vaccination???? And I have been to Mexico every year since 2005.....

05-08-2009	#5 (permalink)
Rissask Canada Dry Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 49,641	We have been to Mexico over a dozen times now; my husband has not had the shots, and I have not had the shots either- partly because I had viral hepatitus (the not as bad kind) when I was nine so I am immune to that, and partly due to pure laziness. And it's not likely I would contract the type you get from blood or other fluids (and the shots don't protect against that one anyway, I don't think). BUT I do think that we really should get them, the TwinRix. It is a good idea to have it, and it will give you peace of mind. Better safe than sorry. It is really a very easy and relatively inexpensive thing that anyone travelling anywhere in the world should do. IMO. if you are going in July you will only have time to have one shot, I think there are two 6 months apart, or close? Ask you Dr. It will still give you some protection though.

05-08-2009	#7 (permalink)
Rissask Canada Dry Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 49,641	Now I just have to take my own advice! I should have added too that this is not a place to get medical advice. Everyone should talk to their family doctor about questions regarding health.

05-08-2009	#10 (permalink)
Mo66 way into it Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Oh Posts: 209	I have had my hepatitis injections since I work for a physician and my husband has not had his and we have been going since 2003. No problems for either of us. Mo

05-08-2009	#11 (permalink)
kbb964 way into it Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 140	We have hepatitus shots , it is an entry requirement for entry to the USA for work. My uk friend had all the shots for their Mexico trip but they travel a lot to some faraway places. If you want peace of mind get them . Its no biggy.

05-08-2009	#12 (permalink)
FredGarvin way into it Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 180	Are you guys talking about A or B?

05-08-2009	#14 (permalink)
mexisv añejo Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,940	We got them (A and B) a couple years ago. Our insurance completely covered it full cost. We thought since we work in the wastewater business it would be a good idea for us. We are very careful, just as a health care person would be but mistakes do happen.

05-08-2009	#15 (permalink)
okieFNP very sparkly Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 29	There's just never a quick and easy answer. Assuming that you are referring to Hepatitis A, the CDC does recommend travelers to Mexico get vaccinated. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recently accepted the view that receipt of even the first dose (of a 2 dose series, second dose to be given no less than 6 months after the first) of Hep A vaccine anytime before travel confers acceptable immunity. It used to be that those with certain health risks due to existing conditions and planning to travel in less than 2 weeks should receive Immune Globulin before travel as it confers immediate immunity (but is only effective for 3 months), while it was thought that Hep A vaccine requires 2 to 4 weeks to mount an acceptable immunity. So like other posters have recommended, speak to your health care provider about what is best for your specific situation. Age, health status, and what particular setting you are planning to visit must all be considered. Going to a tourist area and staying in a hotel/resort does not pose the same risk as living among indigenous people in a non-developed area (think "mission trip").

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