Preparations: Vaccinations

I have never particularly liked vaccinations. When I was younger it was because of the needles and as I aged it was because of the rare but possible side effects. In my everyday life I don't like to take medications. Though I don't limit them fully, I do my best to use alternative remedies for my ailments.

That being said, for some reason whenever I travel I typically get all vaccinations that are recommended. Though the guide books say I am not politically required to have any vaccinations coming from Canada, I read a lot about yellow fever, malaria and dengue fever for which I may need protection. Also I figured, since, as usual, I am travelling in less-travelled areas, I figured I better find out the Canadian perspective on how I should medically protect myself from the places I will be travelling.

I guess the reason I am open to getting vaccinations for travel is that I would rather have a vaccination in Canada and risk the side effects while I am here, than contract a virus while I am travelling and be at the mercy of the medical systems wherever I am going. Also, the fact that vaccinations are a one 'shot' deal for the most part, so I am not faced with having to choose to take or not take a drug over and over again, is attractive in my mind.

Unfortunately the one shot deal doesn't apply to all vaccinations and this has been a problem particularly with malaria pills. Twice in the past I have been prescribed malaria pills and twice I have stopped taking them after a few days. The reasons are locals said there was no malarial risk where I was, I wasn't in the presence of a lot of mosquitoes and I didn't like taking the pills knowing the possible side effects. This time around, my doctor appreciated my honesty with my past experience with malaria pills and so decided the best course of action for me was to promote mosquito bite prevention rather than virus protection. I will wear long sleeve clothing, mosquito repellent and maybe even sleep with a mosquito net. The bonus it that this will protect me against dengue fever for which there is no vaccination as well.