Cuba - I'm worried!

[MiniN]

Hi,

I'm due to go to Cuba in about 2 and a half weeks, and I've only just found out that I may need vaccinations. I've got an appt to see my nurse tomorrow morning but what vaccinations will I need and will they be useful considering its so close to my departure date?

thanks,

[Ice.Maiden]

It depends on your length of stay MiniN. I went to Bogota for 15 days, and had to take precautionary measures against hepatitis A, diptheria, yellow fever, tetanus - and maybe malaria. I can't rmemeber whether I had tabs for that or not. You need to start having them done no later than 10 days before departure - and then enjoy! Some people find the place a bit daunting, but it's also amazing.

[Gok Wan]

You just normally have typhoid, hepatitis and tetanus-diptheria (if you haven't had a booster recently).

If you don't think they will be useful you could always not have them and take the chance that you don't catch any of the above... personally I would get the vaccinations.

[MiniN]

love ya gravitate - you were VERY helpful. always on the happy side, aren't ya?

Ice - I'm going for 14nights. did the docs tell you it was 10days?

Gok - I'm definately having whatever the nurse is giving tomorrow morning, I'm not taking any risks!

[Ice.Maiden]

Yes Minin - but as some people have slight reactions to vaccinations, best to check with your own GP, and get them done when he advises. x

[pips1]

Hi MiniN, I've just come back from Mexico (which is in same region, very close) and I had to have Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Polio, Diptheria and Typhoid. These come in just 2 jabs, 1 in each arm. The jabs didn't hurt but both arms were sore for 4-5 days after. I only had mine done just over a week before I went as I'd had vertigo and you have to be well to have them done. I don't think they're essential but advisable. Hope this helps.

[jake-the-peg]

I just got back from Cuba on Saturday.

Be prepared for stuff not to quite work right. Air con, plumbing can be dodgy. Check it out and get moved if it's not right.

A lot of the food is distinctly mediocre in the hotels but a lot better in many restaurants.

Take enough cash/travellers checks. ATMs can be hard to come across and taking money out on credit cards is expensive.

Watch out for the transactions I was done over at the airport. They changed my stirling as if it were Euro's and I didn't notice after 11 hours in the air.

If you're going with Cubana rather than Virgin you'll find there's not much in the way of inflight entertainment and the food's a bit basic.

Having said all that it's a fabulous place and not somewhere you'll forget in a hurry

[MiniN]

thanks everyone, had hep a jab today, i'm up to date on all my other vacs so i was lucky to get away with just the one!

Cuba - here I come!