The discussion
Hep A in children is a benign disease, so they may not get this one...but probably they will.
Flu
Pretty benign viral disease; vax are frequently ineffective due to inability to predict the appropriate strains. Young healthy people with healthy immune systems typically overcome the flu quickly. So we won't get that one.
Meningiococcal is recommended in Addis Ababa only in the dry season (from December - June). And is recommended in the instance of intimate and prolonged contact with native people. We will be traveling in the wet season; and our 5 days trip to pick up a baby doesn't qualify as "intimate/prolonged exposure to native people."
"Travelers to sub-Saharan Africa may be at risk for meningococcal disease. Travelers to the meningitis belt during the dry season should be advised to receive meningococcal vaccine, especially if they will have prolonged contact with local populations." CDC website.
So it is not recommended for us unless we travel in December or later.
Yellow Fever
Yellow Fever/Malaria Vaccination Requirements from CDC
Country requirements: If traveling from an endemic zone and >1 year of age
CDC recommendations: For all travelers >9 months of age (if going to endemic zone)
Risk areas: All areas at altitudes below 2,000 m (<6,561>No risk in Addis Ababa.
TABLE 4-24. Countries that require proof of vaccination against yellow fever for all arriving travelers
Angola
Benin
Bolivia (or signed affidavit at point of entry)
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Chad
Congo
Côte d’Ivoire
Democratic Republic of the Congo
French Guiana
Gabon
Ghana
Liberia
Mali
Mauritania (for a stay >2 weeks)
Niger
Rwanda
São
Tomé and Principe
Sierra Leone
Tanzania
Togo
No vaccinations are currently required for return to the United States. (Updated April 21, 2008)
**Additionally, I spoke with the Ethiopian Embassy today at (202) 364-1200, and was informed that no Yellow Fever card/vaccination proof is required for entry into Ethiopia for US citizens coming from the USA.
There is no risk of yellow fever in Addis Ababa (per CDC website), and vaccination isn't required (or even recommended by our travel clinic); nor is it required to return home. The shot is not without 'real' risks. The risk of getting Yellow Fever is small anyway...and by confining our trip to only Addis Ababa...the risk of exposure is too close to zero to justify the risks of the vaccination. So...we won't be getting this shot
Malaria - not an issue in Addis Ababa; no prophylaxis necessary.
So, what's left?
I'll be getting a Hep A and polio booster/titer; and perhaps typhoid (shot is good for 2 years). My titers indicate I'm immune to MMR, Varicella, and Hep B. I've had a Tdap booster 1-2 years ago for work.
Hubby - will need Hep A/B, polio booster/titer, MMR titers, Tdap booster, and perhaps typhoid.
The kiddos - have received all their standard vax. They may not need any additional shots...and one physician so far actually recommended *no* additional vaccinations.
Travel clinic is willing to 'make available' pretty much whatever we request. Perhaps we'll all get the typhoid shot. Maybe the Hep A...and if we end up traveling in or after December, we'll all get meningiococcal immunization.
I'll let you know.
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