Immunizations for International Pilots

[Doug Taylor]

I've got to get a "Yellow Fever" shot as part of the company requirements for the equipment I'm flying.

Talking to some other people about to start training, many are mentioning that they might get a Hep-B and a Tetanus shot since they'll be at the clinic anyway.

Besides Yellow Fever, do you suggest any other immunizations for pilots traveling internationally?

[amorris311]

if you get any of the african flying and you think you are going to spend some time there i would talk to a doctor about malaria tablets.

[My Flight Surgeon]

1. Hepatitis B - this is a series of 3 immunizations. One now, one in a month and one at 6 months.

2. Hepatitis A - one immunization now and one at 6 months.

3. Yellow fever - one time vaccine lasts 10 years

4. TDap - this is tetanus and diphtheria. It is recommended one time then go back to the regular tetanus every 10 years.

5. Bookmark this in your computer. It is the link to the CDC's vaccination web-site. This stuff changes frequently, so if you start going somewhere other that Europe, check it out.
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/vaccinat.htm

6. If you go to an area where malaria is endemic, let me know and I will get you some prophylactic medication. You should not need it if you stay in urban areas though.

Where will you fly? I can give you my 2-cents worth of info if I know that.

[dingo222]

stay away from Mefloquine, or whatever its called. I got the mef dreams on that stuff! It's mean. Europe is fine, but get your hands on some Cipro for the unexpected bad food/water. That stuff is gold!

[Dugie8]

Get ready to feel like someone beat you with a "Doug begood stick" in about 7 to 10 days from that yellow feaver shot.


I got a polio (IPV) shot as well while with ATI, was told it wasn't a bad one to have.

[My Flight Surgeon]

Yes, but it is not as bad as cholera vaccine.

[Kristie]

they make you sick?

if i'm going to be flying with him from time to time, should i get the exact same vaccines or which ones will be important for me? (btw, i'm not friends with the needle )

[My Flight Surgeon]

It depends on where you are going. Look at the link I provided to decide what you need.

[staplegun]

Originally Posted by Kristie

they make you sick?

if i'm going to be flying with him from time to time, should i get the exact same vaccines or which ones will be important for me? (btw, i'm not friends with the needle )

Kristie-

If you're thinking of going with to any of the Africa destinations or Mumbai I highly recommend all applicable vaccines. I hate needles too but ther's some nasty "stuff" out there! Check out this excerpt from a company memo:

Occupational Health/Air Crew & Passenger Health Services researched this crew travel advisory utilizing
CDC information and in consultation with Emory’s Division of Infectious Diseases and Delta’s physician
consultant on pilot health issues. Occupational Health continues to partner with internal and external
stakeholders on issues impacting the well-being of XXX crew and other XXX employee groups.

Required Vaccination for XXX’s African Destinations - Yellow Fever (YF). Failure to have proof of
vaccination can result in quarantine, denied entry, or being subject to vaccination. YF is transmitted by
mosquitoes and has a high fatality rate among non-immune adults. Vaccine must be received at least 10 days prior to entry into country. Contraindicated if pregnant, nursing, allergic to eggs, or compromised immune system. Crew with current YF vaccination status documented on a PHS 731 (yellow shot record) does not require vaccination. YF revaccination required every 10 years. You must carry documentation of vaccination with you.

Optional Preventive Vaccinations and Medication for Africa and India - All routine adult vaccinations
should be maintained regardless of travel plans. The hepatitis A vaccine series is especially recommended due to the prevalence of this illness in developing countries. Other vaccinations for consideration include hepatitis B, meningitis, typhoid, and one dose of polio vaccine. It is not recommended that you take malaria pills for your short stays. You and your personal physician should determine what optional preventive measures are best suited to your health needs. Specialized travel medicine services in the US are typically cash paid and submitted to insurance for reimbursement. See the International Society of Travel Medicine website (www.istm.org) for travel medicine practitioners.

Diseases Found in Africa - Yellow fever (mosquito vector)

Diseases Found in Africa and India - Malaria (mosquito vector), other insect bite and fresh water parasite infections, polio, and infections that tend to occur more often in longer-term travelers (TB, HIV, hepatitis B).
See http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ for additional travel health information.

Other Health Risks - You have 24/7 worldwide access to 4,000 providers in the International SOS network for illness or injury care while on international company business, or if you simply have a medical concern and need to speak with a physician. Call International SOS prior to initiating care, or as soon as possible afterward, at XXX to activate medical case management. Notify ESIS if you experience an OJI at XXX to maintain benefits.

What To Take with You - Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants when outdoors between dusk and dawn,
and use an insect repellent containing < 50% DEET. Follow directions for application to prevent mosquito bites. Medications should always be in their original containers.

Staying Healthy During Your Trip - Wash your hands frequently for 15 seconds with soap and water to
help prevent disease transmission. Follow the fruit and vegetable rule of don’t eat it unless you boil or peel it. Don’t eat street vendor food especially if not steaming hot. Drink bottled water or canned carbonated beverages, and avoid ice cubes.

After You Return Home from Africa - If you become ill with fever and chills up to one year after your returnhome, seek medical attention immediately, and tell the physician your travel history to Africa and your concern about malaria.


Kevin

[NickH]

Have you seen the size of the needle they use for the Yellow Fever vaccine?

It's like a drainpipe!

[My Flight Surgeon]

Pick a different clinic

[Kristie]

Have you seen the size of the needle they use for the Yellow Fever vaccine?

It's like a drainpipe!

my heart just started racing.....

Pick a different clinic

you can pick a different clinic if you don't like the size of the needle? oh how i wish...


I know.. i'm being annoyingly silly....I'll have to get them all which is what i'd rather do than miss out on "taking over the WORLD"!

[rausda27]

I had to get several immunizations for my trip to Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso. The yellow fever shot was no big deal, the immuno-globulin felt like they were injecting jello into my backside...I almost passed out.

[My Flight Surgeon]

If you get the vaccinations ahead of time, you do not need immunoglobulin.

[SkyCougar]

Kristie,

Africa is the new hot tourist destination, and a lot of my affluent clients go on safari a lot, as well as to visit or volunteer over there. They've all taken the shots and have done just fine. One of my agents just got back from safari as well as visiting the slums of Nairobi. They were very careful of what they ate and out of their group of 75 people, only one person got sick on the whole trip. That person also likes to drink alcohol a lot.

I "would" carefully watch what you eat and brush your teeth with bottled water, etc. Everyone that I talk to says that Africa and the people are awesome and worth a couple of immunizations.

[typhoonpilot]

Originally Posted by amorris311

if you get any of the african flying and you think you are going to spend some time there i would talk to a doctor about malaria tablets.

Pilots need to be very wary of taking any Malaria tablets for two primary reasons. The first is that the can have significant side effects that include dizziness. The second is that you aren't generally at risk on a 24 hour layover in the hotel.

stay away from Mefloquine, or whatever its called. I got the mef dreams on that stuff! It's mean.

Trade name = Lariam. I agree with your assessment. After one week on that stuff I figured it would be easier to just get Malaria than live through six more weeks of taking that crap.

Interestingly I was just up in the club with two pilots. One from South Africa and one from Zimbabwe. Both strongly advised against taking any anti-malaria medication. To paraphrase them, "you have to be in an area where malaria is active and be bitten by a mosquito that has just bitten somebody with malaria." Not likely in the hotel. Secondly, most clinics in the states will not diagnose properly because it will take about 2 weeks for you to start showing symptoms. If they mis-diagnose and give you the wrong medication it could very adversely affect you.


Typhoonpilot

[My Flight Surgeon]

The other problem with some malaria drugs is a change in your color vision.

[HH-60CC]

Originally Posted by My Flight Surgeon

The other problem with some malaria drugs is a change in your color vision.

What about Doxycycline? That's what I get issued when I deploy to the desert (taking it right now as a matter of fact). No unusual side effects other than having to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. It's good for chlamydia and syphilis too! (not that i'd know :P)

[My Flight Surgeon]

It is not good far all types of malaria if I remember correctly.

[HH-60CC]

So I could be getting short changed...Damn it!

Edit: Might I add, get the small pox vaccination! 3-5 fun filled weeks of blistering, mad itchyness, and color changes.

[I_Money]

Originally Posted by NickH

Have you seen the size of the needle they use for the Yellow Fever vaccine?

It's like a drainpipe!

Well they do have an enima version -

[Doug Taylor]

Originally Posted by My Flight Surgeon

Where will you fly? I can give you my 2-cents worth of info if I know that.

Thanks Walt. More or less western and eastern Europe, Turkey, Western Africa and the occasional Bombay/Chennai.

I might try to do it this weekend and take Kristie along at one of the clinics in Scottsdale, but I haven't called to ascertain availability yet.

[Doug Taylor]

BTW, I'm having the immunizations done at "Allergy Asthma & Immunology Specialists" over in Scottsdale. Have you heard of them and anything I need to look out for? I forgot to ask if they've got the W.H.O. "yellow" forms... I guess that's on the 'to do' list!

[My Flight Surgeon]

Be sure to tell them where you are going to be traveling so you get the proper shots.

I would also check the link I sent you in the first response so you can "guide" them with the right answers.

[Doug Taylor]

Yup! Taking it along with me!

I called the first group on the CDC list, which was invariably "Mayo Clinic" and they wanted to bring me in for counseling, then a travel seminar and then MAYBE I'd be able to get the shot down the road. But these guys can hook me up same day.