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Wednesday 2004-03-24 - Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Jabs - do I need any?
I searched the internet for what vaccinations are currently needed for all those countries we’re going to travel through (Syria, Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China). It appears that DTP is needed for all, and mine has expired. Typhus is listed for all the countries, too, if your stay is longer than two weeks. Well, apart from Iran and China it isn’t; but adding it all up is of course considerably longer than two weeks. Malaria should be considered as well for some areas of Turkey and Iran; and hepatitis everywhere (but I already have antibodies for that).
Then I needed to find a phone number for the AMC vaccination clinic (the most convenient one for me: in Amsterdam, and easy to get to with tram and metro); finding their phone number was (still) not easy. When I finally had a number it was late; I tried it anyway to check if it was the right one.
(For those searching for the phone number: last time I looked it was 020-566.38.00 to make an appointment, or 0900-95.84 for information.)
Thursday 2004-03-25 - Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Arranging for my vaccinations
Called the AMC vaccination clinic (in Amsterdam). Next week, early Tuesday morning. That suits me fine!
Monday 2004-03-29 - Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Two jabs, a prescription, and good advice
I went to the vaccination centre of the AMC (one of the university hospitals in Amsterdam, which has a tropical diseases department). Yes, I did need DTP and typhus. Malaria is a smallish risk (I always take care to wear long sleeves and socks in the evenings anyway, and use an insect repellent.) So, no prophylaxis needed but (on request) I got a prescription for a cure for the unlikely case I do manage to catch malaria: better safe than sorry.
Other things to be aware of: a traffic accident might land you in hospital - and that carries the risk of hepatitis B; for a longer trip a vaccination would be indicated, now the advice is just: be very careful. Hepatitis A is no problem: I have antibodies. Another risk to be aware of is rabies which occurs in most of the countries to be visited. “Be careful around dogs, and tell your fellow travellers as well!” Sure, doc. Will do.
Oh, and next time I’ll need a new “yellow booklet” for my vaccinations: this one is full now!
Somehow a visit to the AMC always makes me feel a little festive: this is when a trip “really” starts. I celebrated by treating myself to an extra-nice sandwich for my (belated) breakfast.
No problem with either of the jabs all day, I didn’t really feel anything at all.
