Shots?
About This Page: This is a discussion on Shots? within the Planning Your Disney Cruise Voyage, part of the PassPorter Community - Boards & Forums on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel; Hi, Does anyone get shots/medication to travel to the Carribean? Do you know what to get? This stuff is not ...

TorontoGirl · 07-24-2009, 06:02 PM

Hi,

Does anyone get shots/medication to travel to the Carribean? Do you know what to get? This stuff is not covered by my government health plan and I want to know if I really need anything - we don't get any to go to Florida. The Dr is charging just to see him and won't tell me what i need until I do!

I don't plan on eating anything or drinking anything off the boat except at Key West and Castaway Cay and I figure the water there will be safe and the food properly prepared.

What about insect carrying disease? There is no preventative method for swine flu but...am I just being paranoid?

**Dave Marx** · 07-24-2009, 06:27 PM

It's not very common for cruise travelers to get shots for Caribbean/Latin American travel. For the most part we're not away from the ship long enough, and not visiting dangerous areas (DCL skipped visits to Mexico at the height of concerns over swine flu, and cruise ships generally change itineraries if there's an infectious disease problem in a particular port). Shore excursions are all going to well-traveled tourist destinations (even those that are made to sound exotic are still on a well-beaten path), and for the sake of continued prosperity, matters related to public health (insect control, sanitation, water and food purity, etc.) get good attention from the locals.

If you go onto government web sites you can find lists of recommended vaccinations for travel to various countries. However, those lists are more suitable for those making extended stays in the locations in question. Cruise visitors generally spend no more than 7-8 hours ashore.

The food at Castaway Cay is produced on board the ship, and is brought ashore and served by the ship's crew, so you should feel perfectly comfy eating and drinking there. As to eating ashore in other ports... that's your call. Personally, I've eaten in many places around the world without incident. For me, it's part of the joy of travel.

belleandmaddysmom · 07-24-2009, 09:01 PM

I have to agree with Dave on this one.
You can go to this website (Centers for Disease Control) to research for yourself.
Destinations | CDC Travelers' Health
But, like Dave said, I didn't worry too much as you will only be on shore for a short period of time. And you're not visiting the "risky" areas of the islands.
I would make sure that your routine vaccinations were up to date, you know like your tetanus things like that. But I wouldn't get all worried about Malaria and the like.

HOWEVER, only you can decide what is right for yourself. Consult with your healthcare provider for more information.

EastYorkDisneyFan · 07-24-2009, 11:30 PM

I've been on 3 Disney cruises and never got any shots. Even with the last one the 15 night Panama Canal cruise with stops in Mexico and Columbia.

pflamingo · 07-25-2009, 01:28 AM

Just as a general precaution - you might want to update your tetanus shot. I only mention this b/c of a bizarre, unexpected (and just beyond stupid) accident I had once, the morning I was leaving for WDW, where I had to get one of these and it was a major problem. (Went to county clinic, expecting to find a doctor, but only had RN's who couldn't give me the shot w/o a prescription from my MD, but I didn't have a regular MD due to my lousy insurance, so had to track down my Gyn, tell the ridiculous story of why I needed the shot, and have her fax a prescription for the shot to the county clinic.) I had no idea there was so much involved in getting a fairly routine shot, or I'd've kept it current. As tetanus shots cover a great many things that we rarely anticipate (i.e., stepping on sharp things), it might be worth considering.

**unewillow** · 07-25-2009, 10:30 PM

I agree with making sure your Tetanus is up to date. If you've never had a Hepatitis B series (unlikely, but you never know) now would be a good time to start. Beyond that you should be fine.

TorontoGirl · 07-26-2009, 06:55 PM

Hi All - Thank you so much for the posts. My DH and I have our Tetnus and Hep B shots already and that makes me feel better. I think I will ask my GP just in case but that's free

TorontoGirl · 07-30-2009, 06:47 PM

Bump! Thanks Dave & Jenn for putting this post in the Newsletter!

aloisia · 07-30-2009, 07:29 PM

Last year our doctor recommended "Twinrix shots for the Caribbean. Yes, we had to pay for them in Ontario.

dmpyron · 07-30-2009, 11:16 PM

Tetanus, regardless of where you're going, including (especially) the back yard. Since I was required to get the Hep B series, my doctor also ordered Hep A. I would "recommend" it if one were going to Mexico, but only in the gentlest tones. Now most of Asia? Yes. India? Most assuredly.

There are a couple of South American countries that require Yellow Fever shots. I think Brazil is one. Maybe the only one.

ferrazalves · 07-31-2009, 07:41 AM

I´d suggest tetanus and hepatites. For Caribbean tours some recomends yellow fever shot as well.

ferrazalves · 07-31-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmpyron

Tetanus, regardless of where you're going, including (especially) the back yard. Since I was required to get the Hep B series, my doctor also ordered Hep A. I would "recommend" it if one were going to Mexico, but only in the gentlest tones. Now most of Asia? Yes. India? Most assuredly.

There are a couple of South American countries that require Yellow Fever shots. I think Brazil is one. Maybe the only one.

That´s true, we need yellow fever shot to do any Caribean vacation....at least the shot is 10y valid!!!