Anyone else have the Hepatitis A vaccine recommended to them?

[Rena75]

I took my son (17) to the doctors and the doctor recommended that he get the menningitis vaccine since he is going off to college next year. He also said he should have the Hepatitis A vaccine.

I asked if this was something all of us needed and the doctor asked if I'd been out of the country lately. I told him about the cruise we went on (last Sept.) and he said I should absolutely have gotten the vaccine before going.

Since we are going on the cruise again soon, I called my doctor and he said the same thing - we should have this vaccine before leaving on the trip, so my daughter and I went and got the Hep A vaccine.

Has anyone else been told this by their doctors?

 

[nordkin]

We are going to South America in two weeks and our doctor recommended the Hepatitus A vaccine for that. She also said we should have had it for our Panama Canal cruise last year. I just didn't let her know we were going or we would have gotten it. Did they tell you that it is actually 2 shots, one now that will give you 95% protection and one in 6 months for 100% lifetime protection? We have had both of ours. I will tell you they are expensive, a travel health center charged $78 and my doctor was $125. They may or may not be covered by your health insurance.

 

[Rena75]

We are going to South America in two weeks and our doctor recommended the Hepatitus A vaccine for that. She also said we should have had it for our Panama Canal cruise last year. I just didn't let her know we were going or we would have gotten it. Did they tell you that it is actually 2 shots, one now that will give you 95% protection and one in 6 months for 100% lifetime protection? We have had both of ours. I will tell you they are expensive, a travel health center charged $78 and my doctor was $125. They may or may not be covered by your health insurance.

Yes, we have to go back in 6 months for the second shot. I didn't even think to ask how much it costs (I have a bad habit of doing that!) but I figured it is worth it. Both of my kids are heading off to live in dorms next year - not to mention our cruise - so the price is worth the peace of mind (but I may change my mind when the bill comes!).

 

[Jules1]

I'm a nurse - and in my opinion, you should have Hep A even for the USA. You're at risk here particularly if you eat out a lot. The health dept may be the cheapest place to get the shots if your insurance doesn't cover immunizations.

 

[MrsJobba1]

Funny this was posted today - talk about timing.

I visited my gp today and asked about vaccines, we dont normally bother but since we were going on the western cruise thought I'd better ask.

Gp said that Hep A and typhoid was a must, esp for caymen islands and Mexico ( I told her that Cozumel was a Mexican island)

She then said roll up your sleeves .

So Im done !

 

[webray]

Yes, our doc recommended the hep vaccines before we did our first 7 night western. He also recommended updating our tetenus vaccines if needed.

 

[CACruisin']

Pediatrician recommended Hep A for all the kids before our Magic cruise to Mexico last summer. DH and I don't have them, but we should also. (If someone has figured out how to bottle "time", I'll buy it!)

 

[Vanvmom]

Our kids were required to have the Hep A shot for school entrance several years ago. DH and I both had already done the Hep A and Hep B series of shots due as required to work in the Medical fields (this of course was when both of us worked in the medical fields, which we no longer do).

They now have a combo HepA/Hep B vacination series.

 

[DVC Jen]

i recently asked our doctor if there were any shots we needed before we cruised. She asked where we are going I told her western caribbean and she said nope.. you will be fine.

Now i am wondering if maybe I should ask her again.

 

[ebaycruiser]

I had a bleeding ulcer back in 1994 and had to have a blood transfusion (2 pints). At that time, I really did not want a blood transfusion due to aids scare but my doctor told me I had a better chance of contracting Hepatitus than aids. After getting the transfusion, I was tested for Aids and Hepatitus and then took the Hepatitus injections. I think it is a good idea just in case you need a blood transfusion someday.

I believe all children are receiving Hepatitus injections now before they start school. I know both of my grandsons have had them.

 

[Colorado DISers]

Just called our Dr.'s and they all said that we should get the Hep A shots and the Tetnus (sp) booster. Since neither one is a live "virus" we can get both at the same time.

 

[Rena75]

Funny this was posted today - talk about timing.

I visited my gp today and asked about vaccines, we dont normally bother but since we were going on the western cruise thought I'd better ask.

Gp said that Hep A and typhoid was a must, esp for caymen islands and Mexico ( I told her that Cozumel was a Mexican island)

She then said roll up your sleeves .

So Im done !

Typhoid? Hmm, that one wasn't mentioned and neither was Tetanus. Maybe I should call my doctor back and ask about these, especially since I can't remember the last time I had a Tetanus shot.

We all got the Hepatitis B shots years ago so we are covered there!

Right now we all have the flu and keep passing it back and forth (which is why I took my son to the doctor to begin with) and what makes me mad is that I, like always, got a flu shot this year! (yeah, I know it doesn't cover all types of flus but couldn't it at least cover the ones WE get exposed to!?!).

I sure hope these other vaccines work better than the flu shot!

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Our kids ped recommended the Hep A before our 4 night Wonder cruise last year. So they got that (hep B was standard for them but Hep A is not). I made dh get it to but convieniently "forgot" to get it myself. Course now I'm going to Kenya so I get to go to the County Health Clinic and get 9!! (yes 9) shots (in addition to the malaria pills) for that trip. I hadn't heard anything about Typhoid for the Caymans for our upcoming Western but I know thats recommended for Trinidad and some of those islands. So I guess I'll ask the kids Dr about that too. I'll already have that as one of my 9.

 

[dee47]

Funny this was posted today - talk about timing.

I visited my gp today and asked about vaccines, we dont normally bother but since we were going on the western cruise thought I'd better ask.

Gp said that Hep A and typhoid was a must, esp for caymen islands and Mexico ( I told her that Cozumel was a Mexican island)

She then said roll up your sleeves .

So Im done !

Well, no -- you'll be done in 6 months when you get your 2nd hepA shot

But seriously, yes -- anyone going to the Caribbean should have a HepA vaccine (ideally, you'd get both doses before leaving, but if not, at least get the first one in, it will protect you during the cruise).

Your friendly About Hepatitis guide

 

[MrsJobba1]

Typhoid? Hmm, that one wasn't mentioned and neither was Tetanus. Maybe I should call my doctor back and ask about these, especially since I can't remember the last time I had a Tetanus shot.

We all got the Hepatitis B shots years ago so we are covered there!

Right now we all have the flu and keep passing it back and forth (which is why I took my son to the doctor to begin with) and what makes me mad is that I, like always, got a flu shot this year! (yeah, I know it doesn't cover all types of flus but couldn't it at least cover the ones WE get exposed to!?!).

I sure hope these other vaccines work better than the flu shot!

My tetnus (sp) was uptodate! But that was recommended too.

Gp said I had to come back in a year to get the booster - not a year ?

 

[CPM]

Yes, both my kids got this before we visited Belize & Honduras this past summer. They were 17 & 8.

 

[Rena75]

My tetnus (sp) was uptodate! But that was recommended too.

Gp said I had to come back in a year to get the booster - not a year ?

Booster for which one - the Hep A? The Hep A is given 6 months apart. We will be going on the cruise before the six-month mark but my doctor said that the first shot gives you 95% protection.

Helen, is that a picture of your dog? I had a dog that looked just like the one in your picture. I sure miss him, what a great dog!!

 

[fakereadhed]

I had a bleeding ulcer back in 1994 and had to have a blood transfusion (2 pints). At that time, I really did not want a blood transfusion due to aids scare but my doctor told me I had a better chance of contracting Hepatitus than aids. After getting the transfusion, I was tested for Aids and Hepatitus and then took the Hepatitus injections. I think it is a good idea just in case you need a blood transfusion someday.

I believe all children are receiving Hepatitus injections now before they start school. I know both of my grandsons have had them.

HepB immunizations are routinely given to newborns now. HepB is spread by blood, HepA is not. There are many forms of hepatitis, but here is a chart outlining the most common three. Warning: may be TMI for some. Hepatitis Info Chart

 

[MrsJobba1]

Booster for which one - the Hep A? The Hep A is given 6 months apart. We will be going on the cruise before the six-month mark but my doctor said that the first shot gives you 95% protection.

Helen, is that a picture of your dog? I had a dog that looked just like the one in your picture. I sure miss him, what a great dog!!

Hi yes hep A ( will check that though thanks)

and yes - thats Ben my 4 yr old border collie doing 'flyball'.

I have 3 dogs - Sally who is 13. Ben and then Floss who is 14 months !!

 

[mom_rules]

The Hep A shot is given to kids the year before they enter High School here. The other is not. When DH and I went for our Twinrix shots (series of 3 shots-Hep A and B) the kids were given one shot for their Hep B.

All up to date immunizations are required for children in elementary through high school in our disctrict-you have to show proof or valid exemption at the beginning of the school year or they can suspend your child.