Ouch!

BY ONEIKA RAYMOND


So one of the things to consider when making plans to live or travel abroad is that, depending on where and when you are going, you may or may not have to get vaccinations. For many 1st world countries (or countries with a chilly climate) this is not a consideration, but when travelling to many places in the tropics, or in parts of Latin America, Asia, or Africa, volunteered to get “pricked” is a must.

Such was the case with my trip to Kenya and Tanzania, which is fast approaching. Some research by my lovely travel companion revealed that we would have to get a whole slew of vaccinations. Now, I HATE needles. Despise and abhor them. I find it ridiculous that, in 2009, with all the medical advancements we have made, that we still must subject ourselves to the needles. I mean, why cant they put these things in pill form?? I am no scientist, but I’m thinking that we can surely get it together and put these vaccinations into some sort of gel caplet. But no such luck. Alas, it was with great regret that me and my travel partner trudged our way over to a clinic in Hong Kong and rolled up our sleeves in anticipation/trepidation/abject horror.

I’m the biggest baby I know, and a hypochondriac to boot, so I blanched when the doctor told me that I would have to get THREE vaccinations in order to adequately protect myself over the course of my safari vacation. I got vaccinations for Yellow Fever, Typhoid, and Hepatitis A. I howled as the nurse used my arm as a pin cushion again and again and again, which provided great comedy for my friend (who, at my request, came into the room for moral support), and all the people in the doctor’s office (who could surely here me screaming all the way down the hallway). It really hurt!! Particularly the typhoid shot. And all the pain did not come cheap! The vaccinations, plus the anti-malaria pills that I had to purchase, cost me about $300 Canadian. But better safe than sorry, I say!

SHARING IS CARING

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