It is important for other teams using these handouts to find out from an international physician what is needed for your area of travel. This models the type of information team members will find helpful.

Get vaccinations wherever you choose, especially if you can save money.  Since few are aware of current needs in Niger and since some of these vaccines, like yellow fever, are available only at a few places, I recommend you make an appointment for vaccinations at Travel Medicine (World Pro). They are no longer affiliated with Christiana Health Care systems, though they used to be. They are now located in the old MBNA building 4051 Ogletown Stanton Road, Newark, DE 19713. Their phone number is (302)722-4471. The Travel Medicine forms you need to fill out are located at this website if you choose to fill them out ahead of time: http://workprohealth.com/forms/

Others have used travel medicine doctors in Harford or Baltimore counties. Look for travel and/or international medicine offerings.

The vaccinations take seconds.  The staff is very good.  But the paperwork (you do some, the physician does even more), waiting, and discussion will occupy an hour or two.  Note: they will not promise you on the phone what vaccinations they will provide.  That is okay.  Their position is that they will only give you what the physician says you need.  The physician will say you need all the vaccinations listed below.

You will fill out forms.  They want to know where you are going.  The answer is Niger, West Africa.  Note it is Niger, not Nigeria, another country to the south.  Do not be surprised to hear that Niger has the highest level of warnings from the Center for Disease Control.  You’d expect that from the second poorest country in the world.  Take comfort from the good health of all former team members.

The doctor will discuss where you are going and ask if you have any questions.  Remember, he/she is knowledgeable about the vaccinations.  They likely have never been to Niger or even to West Africa so they will not have much non-medical information to share that will be helpful.  But expect excellent answers about the vaccinations and general medical questions.  Expect a helpful general printout of information from the CDC and US government on disease, vaccinations, and travel.  Do not expect them to have specific knowledge of where we will travel, of our food, or of our itinerary.  As a team member you will receive other handouts to advise you of specifics.  Ask those questions of the team leader.  Follow his lead when in Niger.

NOTE:  I used to recommend that to save money, get your Hepatitis B shot from the Cecil County Health Department.  They are still willing to do it.  But they prefer we, as international travelers, get them all from the international medicine folks.  They like their shots going to people who are being protected from local diseases.  

It is prudent for you to be as protected as possible.  I personally recommend having a flu shot since we will be traveling by plane with a large number of people.  Before you visit travel medicine, carefully find from your physician, your parents, and your own records, what vaccinations you have already had.  It is important to knowing what you still need.  Get all vaccinations/pills for the any of the following you do not already have:

yellow fever booster  evidence of vaccination required for entry.  You will receive a yellow card without which you will not enter where we go in West Africa or be able to obtain a visa. Lasts 10 years.

IPV polio booster (If had OPV or IPV as a child, otherwise 3 doses)

Hepatisis A series of two shots

Hepatitis B Three doses given over a series of six months.  Get two now and one when you return if necessary.

Tetanus booster Lasts 10 years.

typhoid pills stored in refrigerator.  Listen carefully to the instructions on how to care for the pills and how to take them over time so they are effective.  Lasts two years.

Meningitis is needed in our area.

Malaria pills Take daily before leaving, while in Niger, and after coming back.   Need new prescription for each time you go. Also helpful to use DEET to deter mosquitoes. Tip: if Malerone (or other daily prescription) comes individually wrapped, take a magic marker and label each wrapper with the day of the week it is to be taken (S, M, T, W, Th, F, Sat.).  It is easy to forget if you have taken it or not.  Tip #2: take your malaria pill with breakfast when the team comes together.  That way those with good memories can help those who have lots on their minds.

They recommend all travelers also have measles and pneumonia vaccinations.  Those my age have already had measles.  Those younger have probably already been vaccinated for measles. 

Rabies shots are NOT necessary since we will be there a small time and not particularly exposed to animals.

You can get the following from your family doctor.  But if you are seeing an international medicine doctor anyway, ask for a prescription for ciproflaxin (Cipro is a standard anti-biotic for traveler’s diarrhea. I also ask for zofran and/or a simple anti-nausea suppository like compazine. They are rarely needed.  But it is greatly appreciated by the team member who had the misfortune to be sick as a dog for hours.