Vaccinations for Egypt Trip: What Should You Get before Departure?

If you are travelling to the land of pharaohs for the first time, you need to be aware of the rules and regulations before planning the trip. One of the important considerations is the vaccinations for Egypt. Vaccines are required to protect the travelers from some serious diseases. There are a number of other considerations that is important before taking the vaccinations for Egypt.

Your health is one of the primary factors that will decide the kind of vaccines. For instance, if you are pregnant or have any sort of chronic illness, the vaccines will vary as from that of a normal traveler. Similarly, if you already have had any kind of vaccinations recently, the dosage will be definitely different than that of the other people.

Recommendations

Most travelers to Egypt need to take vaccinations for polio, hepatitis A and typhoid fever. Some additional immunizations and medications might also be necessary depending on the medical history and the circumstances of the trip. Vaccinations for Egypt recommended for all travelers include hepatitis A, typhoid, Hepatitis B, and yellow fever (this is for all those who are coming from yellow fever infected area).

1. Hepatitis A

All travelers over one year of age are recommended to take Hepatitis A vaccine. It should be given 2-4 weeks before departure. For long term immunity, a booster should be given 6-12 months later. Single intramuscular doses of immune globulin (0.02 ml/kg) is recommended in vaccinations for Egypt for older immunocompromised adults and those with chronic medical conditions and have less than two weeks before departure.

2. Vaccination for Rabies

For travelers who will be spending a lot of time outdoors should get the vaccination for rabies. It saves them from the higher risk of animal bites or if they come in direct contact with bats. It is a must for veterinarians and animal handlers, for expatriates and long-term travelers. It is also recommended for children as they tend to play with animals and are at risk of animal bites. The vaccine can have mild side-effects including headache, nausea, pain at the injection site, abdominal pain, dizziness, muscle aches, or allergic reactions.

In case of any animal bite or scratch, thoroughly clean with soap and water and contact the local health authorities immediately.

3. Typhoid Vaccine

Typhoid vaccine is recommended for everyone traveling to Egypt and is generally given in an oral form (Vivotif Berna). Mild abdominal discomfort, nausea, or rash can be seen but any other side-effects are uncommon. An injectable polysaccharide vaccine is available as its alternative and can be administered to anyone above age two. The injectable vaccine (Typhim Vi) is common for pregnant and immunocompromised travelers.

4. Yellow Fever Vaccine

Yellow fever vaccine is required for all travelers as well but is applicable for those coming from countries like:

Americas: Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela

Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Prencipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan (south of latitude 15 N), Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia

Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago

Air passengers, who are in transit and are arriving from one of these countries, should have the yellow fever vaccination certificate as per the rules of vaccinations for Egypt.

Yellow fever vaccine (YF-VAX; Aventis Pasteur Inc.) should only be administered at an approved yellow fever vaccination center that has proper validation from the International Certificate of Vaccination. It is, however, exempted for immunocompromised people, kids younger than six months of age, or those allergic to eggs.

5. Hepatitis B Vaccine

If not done earlier, Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all travelers. Recombivax HB (Merck and Co., Inc.) and Engerix-B (GlaxoSmithKline) are presently licensed in the United States.

6. Tetanus-diphtheria Vaccine

Tetanus-diphtheria vaccine is a recommended vaccination for Egypt for all travelers who have not administered the same within the last 10 years.

7. Measles-mumps-rubella Vaccine

Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine in two doses are recommended for all travelers born after 1956 before visiting the country, only if they have not taken it before. For many adults born within 1956 and 1970 received only one vaccination against MMR as children; for them, it is necessary to get a second dose before traveling. But MMR vaccine should strictly not be given to pregnant or severely immunocompromised individuals.

Mediations

Apart from the vaccinations for Egypt, there are some common travel-related ailments you must be aware of. Traveler’s diarrhea is one such instance and one of the easiest ways to prevent it is by taking proper food and water precautions. All travelers must carry with them an antidiarrheal and antibiotic drug. Start it promptly if there are three or more loose stools in an 8-hour period along with fever, cramps or nausea.

Quinolones is generally a well-tolerated antibiotic but should not be given to pregnant women, children, or anyone with a history of quinolone allergy.

Alternative antidiarrheal drug such as diphenoxylate (Lomotil) or loperamide (Imodium) can be used to slow the frequency of bowel.

When you take vaccinations for Egypt, you are safeguarded from most of the common health concerns. But mild diarrhea or fever is possible due to change in weather and water. Adequate fluid intake can help you get better of the situation.

When should you vaccinate?

As our body need some time to build up immunity, it is advisable to administer the vaccines at least a month before traveling. Also, your primary health care provider may not stock travel vaccinations for Egypt; so, visit a travel medical clinic.