Do I really need to get vaccinations?
Yes. Some vaccines are actually required by a country for entry. However, most vaccines are not required but strongly recommended. Many preventable diseases are carried in food, water and by insects. Even the most prudent travellers are subject to exposure to contaminated foods and insect bites. Other diseases are only transmitted through blood or sexual contact. Even if you do not plan on engaging in any risky behavior no one can predict if you will become ill and require intravenous medications or step on a hidden needle on the beach. Although these are not things we want to dwell on before a trip, it is smart to take all the precautions you can before hand.

How much can I expect my appointment to cost?
The consultations fees for the Parkdale Travel Health Clinic can be obtained by calling us at (902) 367-1900. The total cost of your visit will depend on the vaccines you receive. To determine which vaccines you need please make an appointment.

Will my insurance cover my appointment and vaccinations?
We are unable to determine if your plan will cover your vaccinations at the Parkdale Travel Health Clinic. Prior to your appointment you can call your plan and ask them if vaccines are covered. They may ask you for the drug identification number (DIN) of the vaccine. We have provided the DIN numbers of most of the vaccines and antimalarial drugs below. We will provide you with an official receipt that you may submit to your plan for reimbursement.

• Hep A Child - Havrix Jr (02231056)
• Hepatitis A - Havrix (02187078)
• Hepatitis B - Engerix (01919431)
• Hep A&B - Twinrix Child (02237548)
• Hep A&B - Twinrix Adult (02230578)
• Japenese Encephalitis (02048744)
• Typhoid - Typherix (02242727)
• Rabies - Imovax (01908286)
• Varivax chickenpox (02239199)
• Dukoral - Cholera and Travellers' Diarrhea Vaccine (02247208)
• Lariam - Mefloquine (02018055)
• Malarone (02238151)

Do I need vaccines every time I travel?
It depends on your destination. Several vaccines you may have received such as Hepatitis A & B (if you completed the recommended series) in the past will give you immunity that lasts for years. Some vaccines however, like the Traveller's Diarrhea vaccine, usually need to be repeated before each trip.

How far ahead of time should I make an appointment?
As a general rule it is never too early. Ideally you would make the appointment 4-6 weeks prior to your trip. If you are leaving in the next few days or weeks, it is still wise to contact us to determine what vaccines and medications you should still receive.

I received some vaccines before my trip, how do I get the remaining vaccines in the series?
Simply contact us at (902) 367-1900. We can schedule you for a quick follow-up visit to administer the remaining vaccinations. Remember, it is this booster that will confer long term immunity.

What is malaria?
Malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite that lives within red blood cells and is transmitted by the bite of an Anopheles mosquito that is found in almost all countries in the tropics and subtropics. Transmission usually occurs between dusk and dawn because the Anopheles mosquitoes feed at night. Malaria occurs in at least 103 countries, including those in Africa, Central and South America, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and islands of the South Pacific. Risk depends on your itinerary, the length of the trip, the season, the location within a country (e.g., urban vs. rural), and where you will spend the evening and nighttime hours. No vaccine is available at the current time. Malaria usually (but not always) can be prevented by the use of antimalarial drugs and personal protection measures against mosquito bites each time a traveler is exposed to malaria.

Can I prevent traveller’s diarrhea?
The prospect of developing diarrhea is a major concern for travellers from developed countries heading to developing countries. You can get traveller’s diarrhea whenever you travel from countries with a high level of hygiene to countries that have a low level of hygiene. Because most travellers are careful to avoid drinking untreated water, many travellers acquire traveller’s diarrhea from eating contaminated food.

Travellers should NOT:

• Eat any food from street vendors or market stalls.
• Eat leafy or uncooked vegetables and salads. Some organisms in soil and water are not destroyed by normal cleaning methods.
• Eat undercooked, raw, or cold meat, seafood, or fish.
• Eat buffet foods such as lasagna, casseroles, and quiches—unless you know they are fresh (not reheated) and have been kept steaming hot. Avoid buffets where there are no food covers or fly controls.
• Drink tap water.
• Use ice unless it is made from boiled, bottled, or purified water. Freezing does not kill the organisms that cause diarrhea.
  

What should I do if I do not feel well upon return from abroad?
If you have diarrhea that develops after your return that is not self-limiting you should see a doctor. If you develop fever after you return from a malaria ridden area (even after 1-3 months) it is considered a medical emergency until it is proven that you do not have malaria. The symptoms of malaria mimic the flu and can be deadly if left untreated.