Preparing for International Travel – Travel Immunizations

As we prepare to hit the road on another family trip to an International destination, we had to take care of our least favorite part of travel planning….making sure our travel immunizations were up to date. Traveling to countries far away (and far different) from ours require a bit of pre-planning. It is always best to understand what the dangers are and then weight what risks you are willing (or unwilling) to take.

Since our latest trip is to Thailand and we’ve never been there before, a trip to a Travel Clinic was in order. Travel Clinics are generally more well equipped to ascertain what the risks are where you are traveling in the world. Unfortunately, not all travel clinics are the same. We went to a private travel clinic in February before we went to Bali. It was last minute so I went to the first one I called that could get us in. $400 plus later, I was a bit disenfranchised.

Recently, I found out that London Drugs has Travel Clinics at some of its stores. I figured I would give it a try. I’m really glad I did because it was a MUCH better experience for a few reasons:

• The Travel Consultation fee is $50 versus $60/person at the last clinic I went to.
• Since it is a part of their normal pharmacy operation, they direct bill your drug insurance plan. So no paying for your vaccinations out of pocket and submitting them for reimbursement later (if your insurance plan has this option). This meant a HUGE difference for us in our out of pocket expense.

So what does going to the travel immunizations clinic entail?

First we met our lovely travel immunization pharmacist, Jacqueline. She was so nice and has been to Thailand. She was a wealth of knowledge. She went through the entire report listing possible issues with going to Thailand. She gave us the information without pressuring us in our decisions. The main suggestions were Hep A, Hep B, Malaria (possibly), Typhoid, Tetanus, Rabies, Flu and Traveler’s diarrhoea immunizations. By discussing what we were doing while in Thailand and where, we were able to determine that the Malaria meds were not needed and that we would bypass the Rabies vaccine. Then we determined what vaccines we all already have and what we needed to get before Thailand.

Celebrating only one shot.

The end result was:

• Evan
  • Hep A & Hep B second shot (he got the first one before we went to Bali).
  • Flu but we will go back to get the nasal mist once it arrives at the store.
  • Traveler’s diarrhoea medicine to take before we leave.
  • He has already had the typhoid & tetanus immunization.
• Me
  • Second Hep B shot (I got the first one before Bali)
  • Flu shot
  • Traveler’s diarrhoea medicine to take before we leave.
  • I’ve already had the typhoid, Hep A and tetanus immunization.

• Dewey
  • Flu (but he is a weenie and didn’t get it)
  • Tetanus (same as above)
  • Typhoid (agreed to this one b/c it can be taken in oral form.
  • Traveler’s diarrhoea (also oral so agreed to it)

Then it was SHOTS TIME. I went first to show the boys how it was done. Unfortunately, that did not convince Dewey to get his and it didn’t help Evan either. When it was Evan’s turn there was much crying and yelling. Jacqueline was cool as a cucumber and let us take as much time as we needed to get him ready for the shot. Thankfully the Hep A and B could be put together so he only had to have one needle.

Then we headed back out front to get our meds (typhoid and traveller’s diarrhoea) to take home. It was super easy because I didn’t have to make separate trip to the pharmacy. Everything was direct billed to our drug plan so it was easy peasy.

Can I have a toy?

Then a teary Evan hit the toy aisle for a reward for his bravery.

Now we can get back to all the fun parts of travel planning. We’re safe and secure for another trip overseas!

Disclosure: London Drugs invited me to try out their travel clinic. As always, my opinions are my own and I couldn’t recommend them more fully!