What injections are needed before going traveling around South America?

Question

What is the cheapest way to get them? Are they available on the NHS?

Answer 1

Man, you should be a little more explicative. You won't need the same injections if you go to Brazil and then you go to Argentina.

Answer 2

Its important to go and talk to your doctor at least nine months before you go, so that you have enough time to fit everything in. Some innoculations can be expensive, so it will also help to spread the cost. Reckon on spending about £300 to get yourself protected against most of the nasty diseases you could catch.

Injections

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B (costs up to £41 depending on where in the UK you live)

Tetanus

Dyptheria

Polio

Measles

Typhoid

Rabies (available on prescription only; costs up to £41 depending on where in the UK you live)

Yellow Fever (£41 from Travel Clinics)

Meningacoccal A + C

[Tick-borne Encephalitis] -  (costs up to £41 depending on where in the UK you live)

[Japanese Encephalitis] - (costs up to £41 depending on where in the UK you live)

If you live in Wales, then most of your treatments will be free! except for Rabies (£6) and Yellow Fever (£41)

Chloroquine is useful for most of Central and South America. For 6 months, expect to pay about £4.05 (this was for 46 tablets, covering 23 weeks)

For Brazil and South East Asia, you are recommended to take Doxycycline or Lariam These two are available on prescription only, and both have side effects (Lariam generally viewed as having the worst).

Don't forget you will also have to take a Medical Kit, and possibly a Dental Kit.

You should try to ensure that you reasonably fit before you go. Your doctor or the local gym can advise on the best forms of exercise