VACCINATIONS

Before visiting Uganda, you may need to get the following vaccinations and medications for vaccine-preventable diseases and other diseases you might be at risk for at your destination: (Note: Your doctor or health-care provider will determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities.)To have the most benefit, see a health-care provider at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect and to start taking medicine to prevent malaria, if you need it. Even if you have less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still see a health-care provider for needed vaccines, anti-malaria drugs and other medications and information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling.

We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine.  We used the Ventura County Public Health Travel Clinic in Camarillo and saw their travel nurse.  If you have a medical condition, you should also share your travel plans with any doctors you are currently seeing for other medical reasons.

VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES
Vaccine recommendations are based on the best available risk information. Please note that the level of risk for vaccine-preventable diseases can change at any time.

ROUTINE VACCINATIONS---Recommended if you are not up-to-date with routine shots such as, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, poliovirus vaccine, etc.

YELLOW FEVER Uganda requires travelers arriving from countries where yellow fever is present to present proof of yellow fever vaccination. Vaccination should be given 10 days before travel and at 10-year intervals if there is ongoing risk.

HEPATITIS A or immune globulin (IG)

HEPATITIS B TYPHOID MENINGOCOCCALl (meningitis)
Recommended if you plan to visit countries that experience epidemics of meningococcal disease during December through June. (Ask the travel nurse.)

RABIES 
We did not get this ourselves, but you might consider it. 
 
POLIO Recommended for adult travelers who have received a primary series with either inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) or oral polio vaccine (OPV). They should receive another dose of IPV before departure. For adults, available data do not indicate the need for more than a single lifetime booster dose with IPV.

MALARIA ---This is not a vaccination, but taken in pill form.
Areas of Uganda with Malaria--- All! You will need to discuss with your doctor (or travel nurse) what the best ways are for you to avoid getting sick with malaria.

Ways to prevent malaria include the following:
• Taking a prescription antimalarial drug
• Using insect repellent and wearing long pants, (men), and sleeves to prevent mosquito bites
• Sleeping in air-conditioned or well-screened rooms or using bednets

All of the following antimalarial drugs are equal options for preventing malaria in Uganda:
Atovaquone/Proguanil
Doxycycline
Mefloquine
Malarone
We have used Malorone on every trip except our first.  It is taken daily, starting five-ten days before your departure and continuing two weeks after your return home, We have had no side effects, unlike some of the others. Note: Chloroquine is NOT an effective antimalarial drug in Uganda and should not be taken to prevent malaria in this region.Your travel nurse or doctor will help you decide which drug will be best for you.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MALARIA
Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. Humans get malaria from the bite of a mosquito infected with the parasite. Prevent this serious disease by seeing your health-care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug and by protecting yourself against mosquito bites. Travelers to malaria risk-areas in Uganda, including infants, children, and former residents of Uganda, should take one of the antimalarial drugs listed above.

Malaria symptoms may include
• fever• chills• sweats• headache• body aches• nausea and vomiting• fatigue
Malaria symptoms will occur at least 7 to 9 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Fever in the first week of travel in a malaria-risk area is unlikely to be malaria; however, you should see a doctor right away if you develop a fever during your trip.Despite using the protective measures outlined above, travelers may still develop malaria up to a year after returning from a malarious area. You should see a doctor immediately if you develop a fever anytime during the year following your return and tell the physician of your travel.


BE CAREFUL ABOUT FOOD AND WATER in Uganada.
Diseases from food and water are the leading cause of illness in travelers. Follow these tips for safe eating and drinking:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before eating. 
If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel (with at least 60% alcohol).

• Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles.  Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. 

Do not eat food purchased from street vendors.

• Make sure food is fully cooked.

• Avoid dairy products, unless you know they have been pasteurized.Diseases from food and water often cause vomiting and diarrhea. Make sure to bring diarrhea medicine with you so that you can treat mild cases yourself.

AFTER YOUR RETURN HOME

If you are not feeling well, you should see your doctor and mention that you have recently traveled. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.Continue taking your antimalarial drug for 4 weeks (Doxycycline or Mefloquine) or seven days (Atovaquone/proguanil, or Malarone) after leaving the risk area. Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness either while traveling in Uganda or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the physician your travel history.