5/18/2015
Vaccinations
I received a preparation booklet from Ubelong. In it, they included a list of
vaccinations that they suggested.
‐Routine
immunizations for polio, measles/mumps/rubella, etc.
‐Hepatitis
A
‐Hepatitis
B
‐Rabies
‐Tetanus
‐Typhoid
‐Yellow
fever
‐Japanese
encephalitis
I’ve spent hours surfing the Internet
and making phone calls to health clinics, drug stores and my insurance company
in the past month. The following
is a summary of my research and experience. This is true information as far as
I know it. Your insurance may be
different than mine. All of the costs listed are for Passport Health Clinic. PHC,
and many other agencies like them, will not file with insurance so I got all of
the vaccinations somewhere else.
Sadly, many doctor’s offices do not provide some of the more obscure
vaccinations.
Routine Immunizations
for polio, measles, mumps, rubella- These vaccinations are 100% covered by
my insurance. Although I have already had them
Hepatitis A- $105
(PHC) I have already had it.
Hepatitis B- This
vaccine is a series of three shots. It is 100% covered by my insurance.
However, I have already had it.
Rabies- $325 (PHC)
per shot in a 3 shot series. I am
going to forgo this one since I am not working directly with animals. I plan on getting travel insurance, so
if an emergency arises I can easily get to Bankbook within 24 hrs to be cared
for.
Tetanus- $75(PHC)
Typhoid- $100-103(PHC)
I opted for the pill version. There
are four pills that you take every other day. The pill is a live vaccine that
requires a booster after five years.
The shot is a killed vaccine that requires a booster after two years. I
found this instructional graphic helpful. http://www.passporthealthusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Oral-Typhoid-Vaccine-Instructions.pdf?139caa
Yellow fever- $172(PH)
If you are entering Cambodia from a country that suffers from yellow fever you
have to present a yellow card when entering the country to show you have been
vaccinated. Since I am coming from
the US I don’t need this one
Malaria- priced
per pills- These pills are taken daily starting before you leave and continue
during the trip and after you return. Given the many side effects of
antimalarials, I have decided to forgo them. Here is a table comparing the
antimalarial options. http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/drugs.html
Japanese
encephalitis- $304 (PHC) per shot in a two shot series – Shots should be
given 28 days apart and the last shot should be given at least 10 days before
leaving the country. I found this
vaccination to be the most difficult to find. There is one Walgreens in the area that will order and
administer the vaccination if you have a prescription from a doctor.
I went to see a general practitioner on April 15, 2015. There
I received a Tetanus shot and a prescription for the Japanese Encephalitis
vaccination, Typhoid pills and Malaria pills. After insurance I was charged
$218.61 for the visit. When I went for my first Japanese Encephalitis
vaccination I was elated when they charged me $0!!! The Typhoid vaccination was
also covered by my insurance. The malaria pills were very expensive, just under
$300 for a month supply. I opted not to get the malaria pills after speaking
with family and friends who had very serious reactions (hallucinations, night
terrors etc.) to this medication. I got the last of my Japanese Encephalitis
series today! I proudly declare; I am fully vaccinated!
Total-$2694.51
