Miwani for Mwanza: Tanzania Travel Immunizations

Monday, February 9, 2009

Tanzania Travel Immunizations

Our trip to Tanzania is exactly 6 months away and some of the recommended shots need to be given six months out.

There are no absolute immunization requirements for travel to Tanzania, however, there are definite recommendations. These include:

1. Yellow Fever vaccine. This vaccine is available ONLY at Authorized Yellow Fever Vaccination Clinics.
A list of Kansas City area clinics is here:
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowfever.aspx

2. Polio booster, even for those who have received the primary series.

3. Hepatitis A vaccine. This is a two shot series that should be give at least 6 months apart. One shot is reported to offer between 90% and 95% protection.

4. Hepatitis B vaccine. This is a THREE shot series generally, given at 0 months, 1 month, and 6 months.

In addition to those listed, recommendations include up-to-date routine immunizations. These are age dependent.

MMR - Young people who have not had a second booster of Measles-Mumps-Rubella, (those born after 1956) or anyone who has not had these diseases should consult with his physician regarding this vaccine.

A current Tetanus-diphtheria should be obtained. For those within the correct age group (between 10 years and 65 years of age) should receive ONE booster that includes the pertussis component (Tdap). This can be given as soon as two years after a current Td booster.

All those 50 and older should receive a Pneumococcal vaccine.

Everyone should consider a Meningococcal vaccine (Menactra).

Typhoid and Rabies vaccine are listed on the CDC data page, but would consider these only if they are recommended by the local facility in Tanzania. Typhoid is passed mainly by tainted water, and rabies is transmitted exclusively by direct contact with rabid animals.

PREVENTATIVE MEDICATION IS NEEDED AGAINST MALARIA. DO NOT TRAVEL TO AFRICA WITHOUT PROPHYLAXIS (PROTECTION) AGAINST MALARIA. Acceptable medications include Doxycycline, Malarone, and Mefloquin (Mefloquin is not recommended by Dr Powell). Doxycycline is by far the least expensive medication, but some patients have difficulties with stomach upset when taking this medication.

Please consult with your personal physician or a specialist in travel medicine to finalize your travel regimen and immunization schedule.

Thank you to Dr. Charles Powell for sharing this information.

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Miwani for Mwanza Mission

In July 2009 the “Miwani for Mwanza” mission team from Atonement Lutheran Church traveled from Overland Park to Mwanza, Tanzania. “Miwani” is the Swahili word for eye glasses.

While in Tanzania the team worked with International Health Partners to begin the construction of an eye clinic at the Nyakato Health Center. The eye clinic is critically needed to serve over 200,000 people in the Southern Lake Victoria area.

Dennis and Paula Lofstrom and IHP-TZ oversee the Nyakato Health Clinic through the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania.

In June of 2012 another team from Atonement will travel to Mwanza with the goal to finish the eye clinic as well as to serve in various medical roles. Several members of the M4M team are Health Care Professionals and during the trip will be providing medical & eye exams, treatments and eye surgery for the people in that area of Tanzania.

$36,000.00 US is needed to to purchase the supplies to complete the Ahlrichs Eye Clinic, and $21,000 of that has been raised already through a Golf Benefit last fall and the "Spread Some Salt" Gala & Silent Auction this past March.

Your contributions toward the final $10,000 needed to complete the Eye Clinic are greatly apprieciated by the M4M teams, IHP-TZ and the people of Mwanza. Asante Sana!

Click here to make a donation.