HELPING HANDS HEALTH EDUCATION

IMMUNIZATION

We recommend the following vaccinations for travel to Nepal.  However, the CDC has additional vaccinations that it prescribed for the Indian Subcontinent.  To find out what these vaccinations are, and for more information about prevalent illnesses in this region, you can look up the CDC (Center for Disease Control) home-page at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/indianrg.htm Furthermore, you should always ask your attending physician if there are additional shots that have been recommended, as this list of vaccines is frequently updated by the CDC.  It is not required that you be vaccinated in order to gain entry into Nepal, but we strongly suggest that you do.

Gamma/Immune Globulin or Hepatitis A Vaccine - Serum booster that guards against Hepatitis A.  According to the CDC, one is as good as the other.  The Hepatitis B vaccine is not recommended unless the traveler is staying six months or more. 

Typhoid - Drink only bottled or boiled water or soft drinks, eat only cooked food, and peel your own fruit.  Vaccine can prevent only 70-90% of the cases.

Tetanus Booster - if you are due for this vaccine

Polio vaccine series (usually completed in childhood) is recommended for ALL travelers. A single lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine is recommended for health care workers.

Menomune (Meningoccoccal Disease) - The CDC recommends vaccination with meningococcal vaccine for travelers going to Nepal and the Delhi region of India.

Other Recommendations

Good hydration requires two (1 litre) bottles of water per person per 24 hours.  This way there is  a good chance that you will have some purified water when you need it.  Another must is adequate mosquito repellent.  You should plan on long sleeves and pants after dark when bugs will want to feed on you.  Sun protection is very important, especially at high altitudes, and you should have ample sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 10.  Sun glasses should provide at least 85% UV filter.

We encourage everyone to bring their own small first aid kit for personal use when you need it.  It may include foot care products, aspirin/Tylenol, antacids, Band-Aids, etc.  Medications you may want to include are decongestants, Immodium, and Bactrim/Septra DS (for general diarrhea).

It is a good idea to bring a water pump or water purification tablets.  Almost always, you will have access to bottled or boiled water, but just in case…..

Welcome Aboard to Helping Hands and the world of service!