part of the planning involves immunisation against infection and viruses present on the african continent. therefore, vaccination and preventative treatment are a crucial aspect of our preparation.

recommended and received jabs:

visit 1: hepatitis a & b + typhoid

visit 2: dose 2 hepatitis b + dose 1 rabies

visit 3: dose 2 rabies + diphteria/tetanus/polio

visit 4: dose 3 rabies + dose 3 hep b

visit 5: meningitis acwy + yellow fever + dose 1 cholera

visit 6: dose 2 cholera

anti-malaria prophylaxis - we will be taking doxycycline. less expensive than malarone and less side-effects than lariam.

pharmacy

we are very lucky to have a friend who is a pharmacist - jerry - and he has played an important role in helping us with the essentials of our 'pharmacy'. difficult to know in advance what kind of ailment or injury we're likely to suffer from, but chances are cuts, bruises, sprains, insect bites, etc. will be high on the list. therefore our first aid kit must contain an assortment of plasters, ointments, desinfectant, saline solution, tweezers, scissors, thermometer, antibiotics, rehydration sachets, antihistamine, analgesic, etc.

let's hope we don't have to use all of it!