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--Jim

Vaccinations required/suggested-

Hepatitis A (Shot life- for life) Hepatitis B (Shot life- for life Yellow Fever (Carry Yellow Card for proof of vaccination) Shot life- 10 yrs. Typhoid 2 yrs. Tetanus/Diphtheria Shot life 10 yrs, but really need one every 5 yrs. to scotch bad infections

Polio- (Shot life- for life) Shingles- (Shot life- for life) Get injection after 50 yrs. old Pneumonia- (Shot life- for life) Influenza- Annually

Prescriptions to acquire for trip:

Sleeping pills- Ambiem Respiratory infection (Z-Pac) Antibiotic- Cipro Diarhea protection- ?? Malaria- (I prefer Malarone)

I think it would be wise to check into protection for sleeping sickness for where you are traveling.

I also carry a small bottle of Imodium and Pepto Bismol.

I also carry 2 containers of Zicam to deal with colds.

I found the best/cheapest place to get vaccinations is at the State Health Department (much cheaper than Infectious Disease MD, etc.) Get a MD friend to give you Rx's for trip.

See attached CDC link for additional vaccination information. Hope this helps.

As soon as you depart from the U.S. your medical insurance probably does not provide you with protection. Travel insurance helps provide you with this protection in the event of a medical emergency.

The company that I have always used is Travel Guard.

www.travelguard.com

I would recommend Hep A as that Hepatitis is transmitted by ingesting contaminated foods...think feces-hands-mouth. Hep A carriers are much more prevalent in many African countries then in US. Hep B is unlikely a worry unless you plan to have unprotected sex and shoot up with dirty needles....think transmission by bodily fluids.

Shingles is simply a reactivation of the Varicella Herpes virus that you had as a kid...(Chicken Pox),and the new vaccine for this is for 50+ year old folks hoping to avoid that nasty manifestation. It is not something required for Africa travel.

Yellow fever vaccination is not required from anyone coming in from a country where it is not a problem, so coming from US you are good to go.

Malaria is always a topic of debate but that is one disease you do not want to get PERIOD! The regions where is starts to be a problem are up into Botswana but how can you be certain the mosquito that bites you on the Limpopo knew that. IMO, Malaria protection is an insurance policy I would not be without in Africa.

Your Tetanous vaccination should be up to date with booster...usually a DPT every 10 years (Diptheria/Pertussus/Tetanus)

Typhoid vaccine update is also recommended. You also should not need Cholera vaccination where you are going.

Rabies vaccination is a questionable call, as you are very unlikely to be handling infected animals which then bite you. At least I wont be!

Tick born diseases are definitely a possibility and frequent/careful inspection and barrier protection is recommended as the game and grasses can be crawling with them. Using 20-50% DEET on exposed skin and clothing might be a prudent idea if you are in situations where there are plenty of ticks, mosquitoes or biting flies. Luckily the last two are at a minimum during the winter months, but I've been bitten by mosquitoes then too.

You should already have had your MMR (Measles Mumps and Rubella) and Polio vaccinations or proof of having them as a kid. Annual Flu shots are always a good idea...remember flu season is underway during winter months in RSA.

Getting a prescription filled for traveler's diarrhea (Ciprofloxacin works well)and is a good idea if you want to salvage your remaining hunting days! Pepto-Bismol and or Imodium are must bring items as mentioned.

I also would suggest you think twice about handling that Baboon or Vervet Monkey (African Green Monkey) you shoot. There are a number of primate (simian) viruses and diseases that are readily transmitted to humans which are BAD players. Just consider that Simian herpes viruses can be lethal to Humans...Hmmm just observe how often monkeys are playing with themselves!! The Marburg virus similar to Ebola is very lethal and was first discovered in Vervets used in a Marburg Germany lab, killing 12 lab workers. Don't handle any monkey without gloves would be my advice.

At a minimum the HEP vacinces...luckily I get them through work anyway. And a tetnus booster for sure.