Hepatitis Vaccines

[rubecube]

My doctor told me not to bother unless I was planning on drinking water/eating veggies off of the resort.

[wpgflamesfan]

Originally Posted by fotze

I was looking at last minutes specials and came across this hepatitis fear stuff. Of course you cannot get a clear answer anywhere including a doctor. Everywhere you read says you need the first injection then the second a month later then when you come back you get a shot 6 months later, but the pharmacist says that you have to wait 6 months to go to mexico or whatever.

This is really frustrating, also why would I have to mention the accelerated Hep A/B thing to the doctor?

Do I have to wait 6 months before I go to mexico? Why don't the tour companies make this a little more prominent if true. Really disappointing.

you should get the first shot about a month before you go to mexico. the second shot is just a booster and ensures that the vaccine last for the 25 years.

[redforever]

We did the Twinrex, think that is what it is called, $60 a shot.

First is a month before you go. Second is just before you go. Third is 6 months after and that does it.

[ken0042]

I did a last minute trip a few years ago. What the doctor did was one Twinrix shot right away, and another shot 2 weeks later; the day before I left. He said it would be about 90% effective so still not perfect, but better than not having anything. But for my next trip instead of getting a booster he said I'd have to start all over again.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by fotze

There are 3 shots apparently, 4 in the accelerated, but try to get an answer when you are protected. Plus they cost $60 each plus $20 each for the doc to inject you plus $33 to ask the doctor about it and not even get told about the accelerated version. What did people do before google?

Plus there is the added variation of just getting Hep A vaccine if you don't plan to screw or do drugs, plus the wrinkle of a different vaccination for the toddler, plus maybe vaccinations cause autism. Maybe vacations can go suck my balls.

I actually just got my Hep shots last week for Croatia/Bosnia/etc. For me, it was 2 shots in the same day (within like 5 minute) and the 3rd one in 6 months is a booster. (you only need those 2 shots 1 month before Mexico... make sure your boss isn't a crook)

[PowerPlayoffs06]

Screw Mexico, go someplace clean.

[Momo]

Hi. I'm new here, huuuuuge Flames fan and I'm a pharmacy student (soon-to-be-pharmacist!).

The recommended accelerated vaccination regimen for Hep A/B (Twinrix) is a shot at day 0, 7, and 21, followed by a booster at 12 months. The reason you have to mention this to the doctor is that the usual regimen is a shot at month 0, 2, and 6.

If you are considering just Hep A, you can generally see an immune response by 2 weeks after the first shot. A second shot is given at 6-12 months to provide long-term immunity.

You do not need to wait 6 months to take that trip. I don't know what the other pharmacist was talking about. As I mentioned above, you can get protection from Hep A after 2 weeks, but Hep B usually takes a bit longer. Studies on the accelerated vaccination schedule show that 99% of people had antibodies against Hep A after 1 month, whereas 84% had antibodies against Hep B. This is better than the usual regimen (the one given over 6 months). It's up to you whether you think the risk of not being fully protected at 1 month is acceptable, but this regimen is the one generally used for people who needs to take trips in 3-4 weeks.

As for the toddler, has he (she?) had Hep B vaccinations before? This changes the regimen as only the Hep A vaccine would be recommended. Younger children (< 1 years old) need a different type of vaccine.

In regards to vaccines causing autism, there's really not a lot of evidence to support this claim. Actually, if I remember correctly, I believe just the original study came up with this correlation, and no one has been able to back up that claim since. Every reputable source I've looked at (Health Canada, FDA, NACI, WHO) say that this claim has never been substantiated.

If you need more references:

Travel Vaccines
Protection against Hepatitis A and B for last-minute travellers
Canadian Immunization Guide 2006: Hepatitis B vaccine
Thimerosal in vaccines and autism

[worth]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-...-_b_88558.html

[prarieboy]

Originally Posted by fotze

I don't mind waiting 1 month, but not 6 months.

We just got the Twinrix (or whatever it's called) for Hep A/B.

We had one shot, waited a month, had another and went to Mexico. We were told we were 90% covered so I didn't persue any Mexican hookers nor did I do any interveinous drugs so I should be OK.

The clinic is going to call us up after six months from the first shot and then I guess it's Green light for unprotected Hooker sex and bare knuckle street brawls for the next 20 years or so.

Should have done this years ago

[Nabber]

Originally Posted by prarieboy

We had one shot, waited a month, had another and went to Mexico. We were told we were 90% covered so I didn't persue any Mexican hookers nor did I do any interveinous drugs so I should be OK.

Well Fotze is gonna need the 100% protection so that's not gonna work .

I did a last minute to Mexico last year and my doc just recommended the hep A vacination, Havrix it was called, done in two doses, the intial dose was good after two weeks I believe, then you went for the second booster 6-12 months after your first one and you're good for 20 something years. I opted for the Hep A as the commercial about the infected ice cub scared me. Like others mentioned Hep B protection is for unprotected sex with someone who has Hep B, intravenous drug use, or cuts by an infected object. Therefore because of the first two Hep B risks most on the board should opt for both A and B protection, since I hear all the hookers and blow stories on here.

[prarieboy]

Originally Posted by Nabber

Therefore because of the first two Hep B risks most on the board should opt for both A and B protection, since I hear all the hookers and blow stories on here.

LMAO!!!

[kdogg]

"A rapid schedule of three injections given at 0, 7 and 21 days may be an option when travel is anticipated within one month after initiating the vaccination course and where insufficient time is available for the standard schedule. When the rapid schedule is applied, a fourth dose is recommended 12 months after the first dose."

http://www.twinrix.ca/en/about/index.aspx#schedule

This is what I did.
________
Peachy cam

[redforever]

Originally Posted by fotze

I don't mind waiting 1 month, but not 6 months.

No no no, the first two shots give you the required immunity. The last one is just a booster. You dont have to wait till the third shot. And Twinrex I believe gives the coverage for both Hep shots.

[Ozy_Flame]

Twinrix covers Hep A and B, and must be taken twice before you go, and once before you leave. It's effective, and is about 90-95% effective.

The other 5% is about you being prudent; don't eat unwashed veggies, and don't massively chug back tap water. The resort you stay on can have alot to do with exposure to Hep.