My daughter(age 15) and I are going to Egypt Boxing day. I have been told we do not have to have jabs but.... I am really against jabs and would rather not but..... anyone got any advise?
well if you value your daughters life,then be sensible and have them,egypt is one of the dirtiest countries in the world,full of disease,but its up to you,check with your doctor.i know someone who son caught menningitis in cairo.
Have them - surely a couple of injections is better than getting typhiod or hepatitis or diptheria or whatever else you get vaccinated against.
I've been to Egypt twice now and been jabbed both times. Last time I went (Oct 06) I needed three injections which needed 2 visits to the nurse. I looked away as I can't stand needles and didn't even realise she'd done it - although I did later when my am starting feeling like a lead weight...
They are definately recommended for Egypt, just see here for what you need and dont need:
it depends partly where you are going to and what you're going to do (eg scuba diving near sewage outlets isn't great), but I've never had any jabs before going there. Eat with care - no roadside food, no salads, only cooked meals and peelable fruit; bottled water only. At that time of year the heat won't wear you out as it can in summer. There's always a risk, but if you don't want to inoculate, you don't have to.
Thank you all for your help. I simply don't trust what side/ill effects the injections may do. I have a Indian friend and although both her children are born in England she and her children never have any injections are sensible in their eating and have been Ok when they return each year to India. I think I would trust injections more if the gov. and pharmacies were not so "close".
I've been 10 or 11 times now and also do not believe it is a dirty place, in fact it is very civilised.
I've never had any jabs, and it does not seem the norm to have them; or talked about having them with the many people I meet (well, when you're out on dive boats all day you do meet a lot of people!).
The few people who do get dodgy tummies are usually caning it until 3am each night, drinking little water, and sunbathing in 45C sun. I.e. massively dehydrated, not sick because of bugs.
Drinking 3 litres of bottled water a day would prevent way more risks than having vaccinations in my experience...
I've been going to the Sinai coast (Sharm, Dahab, Marsa Alam etc.)... and am not aware of a mosquito problem in any of these places. I have never, and nor do most others I meet, use mosquito repellant.
p.s. Though if I were on the Nile, I would certainly invest some time into investigating the issue of Malaria, as it does exist in some parts of Egypt, and is not to be trifled with...
Bottled water is readily available, from any 'corner shop'. It costs about LE2 (15p) for 1.5 litres. The local brand 'Barakha' is very good. Don't worry, bottled water is sold everywhere...