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Ask The Travel Doctor-TMVC

Q: I am hoping to travel to Thailand/Vietnam and Cambodia or to Peru (hike up to Machu Pichu) next year. I have certain food allergies (egg and peanuts in particular) and am aware that the Yellow Fever vaccination isn't recommended for people who have an egg allergy. Are there any other vaccinations that I might need for these locations that I should avoid?

Lenore

 

A:  We are careful with the Yellow fever vaccine, as it is associated rarely with allergic reactions in people who are very allergic to eggs (if major anaphylactic reactions only), just like the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine which also is a live vaccine associated with rare allergic reactions. If a person can eat eggs, or foods with eggs (cakes, etc), they will have no problem with getting the vaccine, or if they have had the MMR vaccine before, they should have no problem.

The actual risk of acquiring Yellow fever on this trip is zero however, as it only occurs in Sth America in the Amazon jungle, and does not occur in Asia at all. If you are planning to visit the jungle in Peru, you should be vaccinated. Yellow fever vaccine is a requirement for entry to some countries, and certainly those travelers returning to Australia within 6 days from Peru will be asked to show evidence of vaccination.

Dr Tony

 

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