For those that have been to Europe

Lyzelle

Active Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2012
Messages
2,826
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Colorado
#1
We're moving to Italy in March, so a month or so ago I had to go down to the clinic and make sure they had my shot records on file. (They didn't, so that was a mess...)

But anyway, turns out I hadn't had Hep A or Typhoid. Hep A was required, so I got that then and there, but they say Typhoid is optional, although recommended.

Personally, I'm not for giving shots all willy nilly, especially since I have an autoimmune issue that likes to act up every time I get shots. So, if I NEED it I will take it, but otherwise I would prefer to not.

Just looking for other opinions, especially others who have been to Europe?
 

CaliTerp07

Active Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2008
Messages
7,652
Likes
0
Points
36
Age
38
Location
Alexandria, VA
#2
I never had to get any special shots to go to Europe. Granted, I've had all the normal vaccines my whole life, so if Typhoid is something they normally give to a child I've had it, but if it's not then I definitely didn't get it.
 

Lyzelle

Active Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2012
Messages
2,826
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Colorado
#3
I was actually surprised they weren't stabbing me with more needles. I've always heard you had to have a lot of crazy vaccines to go over there, but it's just Typhoid?

If it's just turning out to be another American "we are better/cleaner than everyone else" thing, and it isn't a huge issue over there, then I probably won't get it. Although they are going to force me to get the friggin flu shot anyway.
 

CaliTerp07

Active Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2008
Messages
7,652
Likes
0
Points
36
Age
38
Location
Alexandria, VA
#5
I was actually surprised they weren't stabbing me with more needles. I've always heard you had to have a lot of crazy vaccines to go over there, but it's just Typhoid?

If it's just turning out to be another American "we are better/cleaner than everyone else" thing, and it isn't a huge issue over there, then I probably won't get it. Although they are going to force me to get the friggin flu shot anyway.
There are really no "crazy vaccines" for Europe. Italy is a first world country; you aren't going to the middle of the rainforest or an impoverished country with dirty water.

Typhoid fever remains a serious worldwide threat — especially in the developing world — affecting an estimated 22 million people each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disease is endemic in India, Southeast Asia, Africa, South America and many other areas.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/typhoid-fever/DS00538/DSECTION=risk-factors

I'd skip it, unless you plan on doing a lot of travel to Asia or Africa while you're over there.
 

Lyzelle

Active Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2012
Messages
2,826
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Colorado
#6
There are really no "crazy vaccines" for Europe. Italy is a first world country; you aren't going to the middle of the rainforest or an impoverished country with dirty water.

I'd skip it, unless you plan on doing a lot of travel to Asia or Africa while you're over there.
Pretty much what I was thinking too. First world country.

But no, I'll probably just stay in western Europe. Maybe Greece, but mostly just Italy, France, Spain, Germany, etc.
 

Laurelin

I'm All Ears
Joined
Nov 2, 2006
Messages
30,963
Likes
3
Points
0
Age
37
Location
Oklahoma
#8
I don't remember getting any shots before going to any european countries. It hasn't been that long ago either.
 

Fran101

Resident fainting goat
Joined
Oct 12, 2008
Messages
12,546
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Boston
#9
I went to London, Denmark, Scotland and France this summer.. no shots lol they were all perfectly wonderful places. I've only been a handful of places where I felt like I should've been vaccinated before entering and they were all in the US of A haha

Last time I got a shot to travel was when we went to Kenya, and even then..I thought it was silly! Kenya was beautiful and very modern mostly, and it's not like I was drinking out of the river on safari! haha
 

CaliTerp07

Active Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2008
Messages
7,652
Likes
0
Points
36
Age
38
Location
Alexandria, VA
#10
I was shocked that I didn't need any vaccinations to go to Egypt. That was a dirty, dirty country :( We did our very best to avoid any un-packaged food or water, but even still ended up with a nasty norovirus!
 

GipsyQueen

Active Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2007
Messages
6,079
Likes
0
Points
36
Age
32
Location
Germany
#12
Um... you don't need any vacs. to go to Europe. I honestly just get my tetanus (sp?) every 10 years - no one cares. When we lived in the US they were way more strict about getting your shots. Not even the school cares if you're up to date on your shots - in the US I couldnt even start school if I wasn't up-to-date.
 

GipsyQueen

Active Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2007
Messages
6,079
Likes
0
Points
36
Age
32
Location
Germany
#14
According to the USAF, I do. And they won't clear me without being up to date.
Thats so... odd. The US is so much more strict than Europe about their shots.. The only one whos ever needed to be up-to-date on their shots was Gipsy.

Edit: I just googled - and I guess it must be the USAF - because you def. don't need anything to enter Italy (or Europe). You *should* be up-to-date, but it's not required.
 

Dizzy

Sit! Good dog.
Joined
Sep 14, 2005
Messages
17,761
Likes
1
Points
38
Location
Wales
#15
Don't need vacs for Italy....

But I had them before I went to Morocco and lived to tell the tale.
 
Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
2,434
Likes
1
Points
0
Location
Oregon
#16
According to the USAF, I do. And they won't clear me without being up to date.
Right.

You want the USAF to move you over there. You have to follow whatever dumb rules they come up with.

Its not an Italian regulation, nor a European one, its a USAF one.
 

Lyzelle

Active Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2012
Messages
2,826
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Colorado
#17
You have to follow whatever dumb rules they come up with.

Its not an Italian regulation, nor a European one, its a USAF one.
Exactly. :) Especially the bolded.

I just want to know if Typhoid is something I really need or not. Didn't need a debate on whether or not I "need" vacs in general. I do, or they don't ship me with DH. But Typhoid is optional.
 

Members online

No members online now.
Top