My Cert is the standard international one. Your medical/Military one as issued at the time should be fine if it has date and nature of the Vaccination and is signed/stamped by 'an official or medic.'.

Check locally with your medic centre just in case but it should be OK.

Malarial Prophylactic will run and run on these pages. Each to their own. I have used Larium (weekly Mefloquine) for 15 years without problems. Your GP should advise. Don't take this if there is a history of mental illness but otherwise it is OK.

Others swear by Malarone (daily)but this has side effects too. Usually in connection with exposure to the sun and you may get mouth ulcers etc.,

Yet others, will say buy it locally on arrival without prescription much cheaper. Oh Yeah? No counterfeit diluted drugs industry there then? Don't do it! Malaria kills and TZ strain is particularly nasty!

Thank you.

I have a very weak immune system and very sensitive to most medications and vaccines so I am very afraid to take the Malaria pills but I see I have no choice :) Let's hope for no symptoms and a great honeymoon.

I will ask the Dr. what one is best for me or I may do as some people say try each one and see what side affects they give me and choose the best one.

Best Regards,

C

mfuwe - welcome back

Believe it's the doxycyline that might cause sun-sensitivity; possible thrush (discharge) for women. Not sure about the mouth ulcers... first I've heard of that for any of the malaria meds... but anything is possible, depends on who is taking what.

carita - good idea to test the various malaria meds, but ck with doc on how to do and how far in advance of travel, possibly side-effects of doing this... too many strange drugs, especially if your immune system is at issue. The Malarone is expensive, mefloquin (Lariam) is available as a generic; doxy is a generic antibiotic... the latter two not too expensive.

Yellow Fever inoc is good for 10/years, so you've got 7/years before you need another. If you don't have the Int'l Yellow Card/booklet, then your military records should be specific for this inoc, date and officially signed.

For inocs/meds suggested for Africa or travel anywhere (besides YF... such at Tetanus, HepA, Polio Booster or typhoid tab) discuss with your physician or a tropical diseases specialist with your health history being considered.

Missed you too sandi.

I was present when the Mouth Ulcers erupted from Malarone. Fellow guest in Zambia and his lips and mouth got very swollen like he had been punched by Frazier. I suspected Malarone was the culprit and he stopped taking it and the swelling started to go down next day. Could be coincidence but I don't like this drug.

carita. See your Medic and discuss Prophylactics. there are various types available but the trouble is the weaker ones are not very effective. The best preventitive is not to get bitten in the first place. Wear long sleeves and pants, especially first thing and after say 4pm. Sleep under a net not like the trendies who just love to sleep under the stars. Use repellent. And, this is where the catcalls come in, tuck your socks into your pants and spray there too. (choose to between a fashion statement or getting bitten round the ankles. Mrs Anopheles hunts low down.)Some Deet based products are too strong. I like Mosiguard in a stick. Leave it open at night on the table by your bed.

mfuwe -

mouth ulcers......... ugh!

and miss all that wonderful food!

how terrible.

We're all different and one can never tell in advance how we'll react to any meds. Have to listen to our bods.

Hi Carita

I notice you are based in Kuwait-I am in Dubai. Just FYI I went to the Tanzanian embassy and asked about the yellow fever vaccination and they told m,e because we are flying Dxb-Nairobi-Zan but arent leaving the airport at Nairobi we dont need yellow fever vacc. I checked twice....Kuwait has the same rules as Dubai, if you are coming from Kuwait you wont need it-not sure about the US-there are loads of helpful people on here tho based in US who will advise. Hope we have been given correct info as we fly fri!!

There are still lots of mixed messages going around about whether or not you need the yellow fever cert. The word at the US Embassy is that you DO need it no matter where you come in from. Here is the post from the US State Department site:

"In February 2008, Tanzania reportedly introduced a universal requirement for proof of yellow fever vaccinations for all travelers. The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Foreign Affairs give conflicting advice on this. The website of the Embassy of Tanzania in Washington, DC states that all travelers must have proof of vaccination. According to reports, this requirement is sporadically and unpredictably enforced for arriving international flights. The United States Embassy in Tanzania advises American citizen visitors to have proof of vaccination to avoid possible complications upon arrival."

If you get someone at the airport that says you need it, you are going to have to risk getting the injection there in Tanzania at the airport in order to be allowed in to the country. Not a pleasant thought in my book.

I agree Xbioman.

It depends on the mood of the Immigration desk/Fever checker whether transit pax in NBO are exempt or not.

You could tell them you had not left NBO but so could anybody.

A Mrs Matteileur on another post was 'forcibly' innoculation at JRO yet her husband was not when he arrived on a leter flight.

Do not risk this. B****r the regulations! Get the jab. It lasts 10 years.

While I have the YF inoc and had the YF card on arrival via NBO (spent less than 24/hrs), on arrival JRO, it was never asked for though I have card ready for presentation.

In addition, a 747 Ethiopian Air flight had just landed, fully loaded with mostly Americans who were to be attending convention in Arusha. Prior to landing at JRO, paxs had spent 2/days in Addis. None of the 300+ paxs were asked for proof of YF inoc.

So, beats me.

However, whether carita is arriving direct from US or Dubai and might NOT require YF for entry to Tanzania mainland, if then going onto Zanzibar, carita will definitely need the YF inoc/certificate.

I am assuming that these were arrivals for the Sullivan Convention in Arusha. If so then the PM went to the airport a few days before this convention began and told the people there that he didn't want anyone to have any bureaucratic delays in entering the country for this convention. That was reported by IPP media. So this may be why they didn't do any health checks during that time. I wouldn't count on that continuing.