It is our recommendation that all participants on this trip consult the CDC website and look at their suggestions for vaccines and drug prophylaxis options specific for travel in South Africa.  Please use the link below to find this information on the CDC website.  We will summarize this information on this site, including listings of local area sites for immunizations, cost, and days prior to travel that these are required for full effect.

Center for Disease Control Website

Vaccination Update

Polio:
      Polio Booster is recommended (in addition to your childhood vaccination) in order to travel to South Africa.  The cost is $21.00 at the Health Department (plus a $33 administration fee.  If you get this with other vaccines, as below, the $33 fee is only charged once).
      **If you have already been to the health department and did not get the polio booster, please e-mail Amanda Malone at amalone7@yahoo.com

Malaria:
     Larium, an antimalarial drug, is included in your trip fees.  It is recommended for prophylaxis.  It will be given to you at a meeting in May if you have signed the medical consent (download below).  If you have any medical reasons to avoid Larium, which include allergy to mefloquine, quinine, chloroquine, or guinide, a seizure disorder, active depression, a history of psychosis or irregular heartbeat, please e-mail Amanda Malone ASAP at amalone7@yahoo.com to inquire about alternative antimalarial medications.

Click here for full drug information about mefloquine
(use your MUSC username and password to access)

Larium Consent Form

Information About Obtaining Vaccines in Charleston

Vaccines Recommended by the CDC:

     1. Hep B: you should already have this 3-shot series for being in school.

     2. Hep A: 1^st shot is good for 1 year.  I you have had 2^nd shot (booster) you are covered for life.

     3. Typhoid: injectable covers you for 3 years

     4. Tetanus: if you have not had one in 5 years

 The best prices for the shots (that we can find) are at the Health Department:

          $33 administration fee

          $21 Hep A

          $36 Tyhpoid

          $   8   Tetanus booster 

 Call the Health Department at 579-4500 to schedule appointment to receive the vaccines.  You need to do this ASAP for the vaccines to have time to activate your immune system prior to us leaving on the trip.  Generally, if you have the shots 1 month prior to departure you should be covered.