hepatitis shots for Western Med?

[Anthony]

Hi,

Heading down to Med soon for the summer (and maybe / likly further and longer...), but on RYA first aid course yesterday, the instructor seemed VERY concerned that we had not had hepatitis shots + others for the Med. I was going to get my tetnus updated, but not anything else. No mention of it on RYA website, or their guide to med cruising book.

Whats the general consensus / advice you have received on this? Is it normal to get them for Med? Perhaps I should just get them anyway?

Thanks Anthony

Oh by the way, if you havent done a first aid course, I highly recommend it, I would now have an idea as to what to do in an emergancy, and what all those triangular bandages in the first aid kit are actually for, might even go back and do the additional few days of the longer course.

 

[AndrewB]

Plenty of advice on the internet for individual countries, e.g. HERE. This advice varies a bit, but a combined typhoid/hepatitis-A shot is generally recommended for Mediterranean African countries (Morocco, Tunisia), though not on the European side. Its a single jab, available on NHS. Hepatitis-B is considered unnecessary for any of these countries unless you are 'high risk': you would need a series of three jabs, course costs about £110, plus a later booster. Incidentally the traveller's tetanus jab can be a 'triple' also covering polio and diptheria, for which there is a slight risk in Africa.

Visiting on a yacht sticking to coastal areas means your risk is somewhat lower than for the average tourist.

 

[mikewilkes]

We have worked extensively in the western med and only had to have Hep A, polio, typhoid and tetnus. Only had to have Hep B when we went to India.
This was for Turkey, Israel and Egypt.

 

[charles_reed]

Hepatitis B not necessary (and only lasts as limited period). Only advisable for Egypt.

A worth having if you're calling on the African side, but totally unneccessary for European side.

Why not check with your GP?

 

[mikewilkes]

Seem to remember that Hep B was 1 shot, second one after 1 month then the third after 6 months. This was supposed to last a fair old time according to the Inst of Trop Med in Barcelona.
Mind you the doc did ask some interesting questions in front of SWMBO.

Did I go with loose women?
Was I a medic?
Was I gay?
Did I use needle type drugs?

After 4 negative answers, and strange looks from the boss, he said " Cant really understand why your company want you to have this"

 

[charles_reed]

I was advised to have it (from the UKNHS database) when I was going do a three-month assignment in Egypt - apparently the shots last about 5 years.

Though both probabilities are low, the risk from anaphylactic shock, on recieving the inoculations, is as great as the risk of contracting hepatitis B.

 

[tyce]

dont mess about, ive met someone unlucky enough to contract this disease, and if hed gone for a injection he would not be looking at a death sentence.
its only an injection its usually free, so go get