Travel Vaccines

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Travel Vaccines

What are the diseases vaccinated against ?
Cholera, Yellow fever, Typhoid, Polio, Hepatitis A and B, Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies, and Meningitis. There are also anti-malaria drugs given.

Cholera

Cholera is caught from contaminated food and water and results from poor sanitation. The chance of contracting Cholera is very slim. Only 30 British people a year get it. (1).

The Cholera Vaccine

Ingredients
vibrio cholerae, serovar 01. (2)

Efficacy

According to the Department of Health, "the conventional vaccine provides poor protection and should no longer be given for international travel."
In the GP Newspaper it confirmed this: "Certain vaccines such as that given for Cholera are known to be of no value and the have been high, although antibody levels are not necessarily an accurate indication of immunity. Immunity levels in babies were found to be 60%.

Side-Effects

Urticara, bursitis, jaundice, neuritis, myalgia, low-grade fever, gangrene of the arm, post-vaccine syndrome of multiple pains, encephalitis, coma and death. (1).

Case Studies As Reported To Vaers

Case 1. On April 27, 2001, a man aged 25 years received YEL and influenza and poliovirus vaccines in preparation for travel to North Africa, Israel, Turkey, and Ecuador. One day after vaccination, he had lymphadenopathy, headache, and malaise; 2 days later, he reported nausea, diarrhea, diaphoresis, and fever. Nine days after vaccination, he was hospitalized with a fulminant illness characterized by fever of 101.6º F (38.7º C) and acute hepatic and renal failure. The next day, he had hypotension and respiratory failure requiring resuscitation, vasopressors, dialysis, and mechanical ventilation. No bacterial pathogens were identified from urine, blood, or stool specimens. A toxicology screen was negative. After 24 days of hospitalization, he recovered and was discharged. No acute-phase serum or tissue samples for viral isolation or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were obtained. Convalescent-phase serum samples collected 351 days after vaccination demonstrated a YF-neutralizing antibody titer of 1:640.

Case 2. On March 28, 2002, a man aged 70 years received YEL in preparation for travel to Venezuela. He had fever, dyspnea, myalgia, and malaise 5 days after vaccination; 3 days later, he was hospitalized because of fever, thrombocytopenia, and elevated hepatocellular enzymes, bilirubin, and creatinine. He subsequently became hypotensive and was intubated for respiratory failure. Hyponatremia developed and dialysis was required for renal failure. Blood and urine cultures were negative for bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Serum collected on hospital days 21, 25, and 33 and
74 pleural fluid collected on day 26 were negative by real-time, quantitative PCR (TaqMan®) with consensus flavivirus primers and viral culture. Serum collected on hospital day 26 had a neutralizing antibody titer of 1:1,280. After a 41-day hospitalization, he recovered and was discharged.

Case 3. On September 17, 2001, a man aged 36 years received YEL in preparation for travel to Brazil. He had diaphoresis, fever of 102.2º F (39.0º C), rigors, and headache 13 days after vaccination; 16 days after vaccination, he lost consciousness and was hospitalized with severe headache and fever of 106.0º F (41.1º C). Examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed 406 white blood cells per mm3 (WBC/mm3) (predominantly lymphocytes) and elevated protein. Blood, urine, and CSF cultures were negative for bacteria, fungi, and viruses. YF-specific IgM-capture ELISA (MAC-ELISA) of CSF was strongly positive. CSF viral testing by TaqMan® and viral culture was negative. Additional MAC-ELISA results were negative for Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, West Nile encephalitis, and La Crosse encephalitis viruses. After a 5-day hospitalization, he recovered and was discharged.

Case 4. On October 4, 2001, a man aged 71 years received YEL and typhoid and hepatitis A vaccines in preparation for travel to Guatemala. He had fever and malaise 6 days later; 13 days after vaccination, he became confused, had expressive aphasia, and was hospitalized with fever of 101.1º F (38.4º C). He had leukocytosis but normal hepatocellular enzymes. CSF had 137 WBC/mm3 and elevated protein. CSF YF-specific IgM testing by MAC-ELISA was positive; viral testing by TaqMan® and viral culture was negative. CSF was negative for herpes viruses, flaviviruses, and enteroviruses. After a 7-day hospitalization, he recovered and was discharged.

Case 5. On February 7, 2002, a man aged 41 years received YEL and hepatitis A vaccine in preparation for travel to Venezuela. Six days after vaccination, he had low-grade fever, headache, and myalgia, which worsened over several days; 16 days after vaccination, he was hospitalized with fever of 104.0º F (40.0º C), headache, and rigors. CSF had 63 WBC/mm3 (predominantly mononuclear) and elevated protein. Hepatocellular enzymes were normal. Bacterial and fungal cultures of blood and CSF and CSF 75 cryptococcal antigen were negative. CSF enteroviral testing and Leptospira serology were negative. CSF YF-specific IgM testing by MAC-ELISA was strongly positive; viral testing by TaqMan® and viral culture was negative. After 5 days, he recovered and was discharged.

Case 6. On May 17, 2002, a boy aged 16 years received YEL in preparation for travel to South America; 23 days after vaccination, he had left-arm numbness, inability to speak, loss of right-side fine motor control, expressive aphasia, and severe dysarthria. Magnetic resonance imaging showed diffuse, bilateral, white-matter disease; CSF examination was normal. MAC-ELISA YF-specific IgM tests on CSF collected 26 days after vaccination were strongly positive; CSF tests by TaqMan® with consensus flavivirus primers and viral cell culture were negative. Tests for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, herpes simplex, multiple sclerosis, lupus, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic enzyme deficiencies were negative. Reverse-transcriptase PCR with primers for Colorado tick fever was negative; serum collected 4 months after illness onset did not contain neutralizing antibodies for that virus. No bacteria or fungi were cultured from CSF. The patient was afebrile throughout his illness and was discharged after a 3-day hospitalization.

Contraindications

Babies under 9 months of age (there in a high risk of encephalitis in that age group).
Those with impaired immune function, cancer, HIV, flu, colds etc.
Those who are pregnant.
Those who are allergic to eggs.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

Typhoid, like Cholera, is caused by poor sanitation, and is most often got by drinking water with human feces in it. There is also recent new information which has found it can be sexually transmitted. Whether this is accurate or there were other factors involved, or whether it is a move by the health authority to vaccinate routinely against typhus, is unclear.
It was passed on by a homosexual man to several other men who had had anal sexual intercourse with him.
‘The disease likely circulated by the highly risky oral/anal contact between the men’ said Megan Reller, an Epidemiologist for the CDC. (10).

Ingredients of Vaccine

virulence polysaccharide, antigen salmonella typhi. (2).

Efficacy

"It is generally recognised by the medical literature that there is no satisfactory typhoid vaccine currently available. Protection afforded by the current strain is negligible."

Side-Effects

local reactions, including pain, swelling or erythema, nausea , vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, headaches, fever, allergic reactions, anaphylactic shock, shortness of breath, dehydration, rash, hypotension, arthralgia, kidney disorders, loss of consciousness.
Side effects are more common in people over the age of 35. (1, 2, 3).

Contraindications

You are immuno suppressed, have got flu, colds, cancer, HIV etc.
You are having chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or another immune-suppressive therapy.
You are taking, or have been taking, anti biotics.
You have had a vaccine in the last 3 weeks.
Babies under 1 year old, or children over 6 years.
You’ve had a previous reaction to a vaccine. (1 and 2).

Hepatitis A Vaccine

Hepatitis A is contracted via food and drink contaminated with sewage, and where sanitation is poor.
Most sufferers completely recover and the death rate is very low (0.2%). (5).

Ingredients of Vaccine

Hepatitis A virus, formaldehyde, human fetus medium.

Efficacy

The new hepatitis A vaccine is reported to give 88% of people immunity. If you have the passive gamma globulin vaccine, immunity lasts 2-3 months.

Side-Effects:

rash, upper respiratory tract infections, arthralgia, myalgia, lymphatic disorders, fits, paralysis, hepatitis (!), anaphylactic shock, MS, encephalitis. (1, 2).
In China, a Hepatitis A vaccine campaign in 19 schools, made 120 people seriously ill and killed 1 child. Li Wei, a six-year-old student in Shuiliu Primary School in Dazhuang Town, was vaccinated on June 17 and died a few days later after suffering from a serious infection and breathing problems.

Several students reported dizziness, breathing difficulties and limb numbness on June 17.
"Soon after receiving the vaccine, my granddaughter felt numb in her hands and feet and couldn't stand up straight," recalled Hu Juren, who works at Shuiliu Primary School. "As more and more students showed similar symptoms, we realized something had gone wrong and called the hospital."
Pan Longgen, a paediatrician at Sixian County Hospital, said the students' hearts and livers are damaged, and the damage caused is worse than if they had drunk pesticide.
The rest of the vaccines have been sealed, and samples sent for tests. (11).

Contraindications

You are pregnant.
You are immune-suppressive illness such as cancer or HIV.
You have a cold, flu etc.
You are taking immuno-suppressive treatments, such as steroids, chemotherapy etc.

Rabies Vaccine

Rabies is said to be caused by animal bites and is common in Mexico, Columbia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Nepal, Peru, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Africa, Asia, South and Central America. (1).
The disease, once established, is serious and usually results in death.

Ingredients of vaccine

Rabies virus, human fetus medium, b-propiolactone, human albumin, bovine serum (from cows), polymyxin, neomycin.
Tested using the mouse potency test.

Pasteur originally made this vaccine using rabid rabbit’s spinal cords. These rabbits were made rabid by having holes drilled into their skulls and having filth put into their brains. (2 and 4).

Efficacy

Efficacy of rabies vaccine is not known. There seems very little written about it. Stephen Learock, the economist, once described Pasteur as the "man who brought rabies to all!" (6).

In a study in 1979, 400 people were injected with Rabies vaccine. Antibodies to Rabies were produced and increased, reaching their peak at day 28 after vaccination.
However, by day 90 after vaccination, antibody levels were starting to decline, indicating declining immunity.

Side-Effects

Local reactions which may occur include redness, soreness, hardness, swelling, pain and itching at the site of injection. Generalized reactions such as fever, chills, malaise, headache, abdominal pain and joint pain may also occur.
Neurological events have been reported following administration of rabies vaccine of human diploid cell origin. These have included 3 cases of neurologic illness resembling Guillain Barré syndrome and a few other subacute central and peripheral nervous system disorders.
Systemic allergic reactions characterized by generalized urticaria and accompanied in some cases by arthralgia, angioedema, fever, nausea and vomiting have been reported following administration of Human Diploid Cell Rabies Vaccines (HDCV). These reactions are uncommon in persons receiving primary immunization but have occurred in up to 7% of persons receiving a booster dose, with onset after 2 to 21 days.
Immediate anaphylactic reactions have occurred in 1 in 10,000 people receiving the vaccine.

Contraindications

1. You are allergic to antibiotics – even trace amounts of antibiotic can cause anaphylaxis.
2. You have an illness.
3. You suffer from seizures (fits).
4. You are allergic to any other ingredient of the vaccine.
5. You have reacted to a previous dose of vaccine.
6. You are taking steroids or other immuno-suppressive medication.
7. You are pregnant – the safety of Rabies vaccine during pregnancy has not been established.

Meningitis Vaccine

Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms are high fever, severe persistent headache, vomiting, sensitivity to light, irritability or drowsiness, sniffness of the neck, skin rash (that won’t go away when you press it with a glass), and fits.
Fits are more common in children.
If a person is not treated straight away they can go into a coma and possibly die. (5).

Ingredients of vaccine

Prepared from Neisseria Meningitidis groups A, B and C.
This vaccine is recommended for travellers to high risk countries, and for people who intend to travel "rough". Saudi Arabia also requires vaccination of pilgrims to Mecca during the Haj annual pilgrimage. (2).

Efficacy Of Meningitis Vaccine

Infants and young children respond less well to groups A and C vaccine then older people. There is a poor response to group A Meningitis vaccine and little response to group C vaccine in babies under 3 months of age.
Immunity in children under 18 months will also be of a shorter duration then adults. (2).

81. Side-Effects

There is very little research that has been done into the side-effects.

Contraindications

You are pregnant.
You have impaired immune response, HIV, cancer etc.
You have had a previous reaction to a vaccine.
You are suffering from an illness (eg, colds, flu).

Steps To Prevent Disease Whilst Abroad

Only drink previously boiled water, or bottled water.
Don’t eat salads, ices, ice creams, ice cubes, dairy products, fish or fruit.
If you do eat fruit, make sure you peel it and wash it in bottled water.
Cook your food thoroughly.
Don’t go in the sea or swallow sea water.
Wear mosquito repellant and put up mosquito nets to prevent being bitten.

Homoeopathic Nosodes

Diphteria

Diphterinum 30: once a week during risk of infection.

Tetanus

Clostridium Tetani 30: once a week during high risk activities (eg, trekking, mountaineering). Twice a week following a dirty wound or animal bite.

Pertussis

Pertussin 30: once a week during an epidemic or 3 times per week if the child is in contact with the disease.

Polio

Poliomyelitis 30: once a week for 3 weeks in an epidemic or if in contact with the disease.

Meningitis

Meningococcus 30: one dose in the morning, 3 times a week for 2 weeks, if in any contact with the disease. (Note there are other nosodes for HiB etc).
If your child shows any symptoms of Meningitis (eg, extreme persistent headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light, drowsiness, rash that doesn’t go away when pressed with a glass), IT IS VITAL TO GET MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY – while waiting for hospital test results or ambulance, you can give Belladonna 30, which is an anti-inflammatory and also reduces fever.

Measles

Morbillinum 30: Only give this to your child if s/he is weak, as in healthy children it is better to let them contract measles, as it can help protect against asthma, hayfever, food allergies etc, and also protect against auto-immune diseases, by priming the child’s immune system. This remedy could also be used if the measles lasts a long time.

Mumps

It is better to allow your child to contract Mumps, but adult males who didn’t get it as a child may be given Paroidinum 30, two doses over a fortnight.

Rubella

Rubella 30: May be given to pregnant women who come into contact with the disease.

Cholera

Cholera 30: once a week prior to travel.

Malaria

Malaria 30: once a week in high risk areas. Continue for 1 month after leaving the area.

Typhoid

Salmonella typhi 30: once a week when travelling.

Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever 30: once a week whilst travelling. 3 times a week during an epidemic.

Hepatitis A and B

Hepatitis A 30: once a week in high risk areas.

Hepatitis B 30: 3 doses, 12 days apart,
following risky incident (eg, illegal drugs injection, operation, casual sex).

Influenza (Flu)

Influenzinum 30: 3 times per week during epidemic.

Studies Showing Efficacy of Homeopathy Preventing Disease

Two studies were done to evaluate the immunological response to homeopathic doses of oral BCG antigen.
Rabbits were given homeopathic dilutions ranging from 1c to 30c in their drinking water for a month, and they had positive antibody responses, compared with negative controls.
In the second test, cell mediated immunity was evaluated. A tuberculin test was used to measure type 3 hypersensitivity reactions. Again, the results were positive when measured after 24 and 48 hours. The tuberculin reaction after oral administration of 30c Mycobacterium bovis were comparable to the one obtained after conventional inoculation (which was the negative control). (2).

In 1902, during a smallpox epidemic in Iowa, Dr. Eaton reported that 2806 patients were treated with Variolinum. Of the 547 patients who were definitely exposed, only 14 developed the disease. Overall protection rate was 97%.24 In 1958, during an influenza epidemic in Great Britain, 1100 workers were given prophylaxis and 500 workers were given no treatment. There was no statistical difference in the attack rates between the groups. And in 1974, during a meningococcus outbreak in Brazil, 18,640 patients were given Meningococcinum prophylaxis while 6,430 received no treatment. The treatment group reported 4 cases to 32 cases in the no treatment group (23 times more effective than no treatment). (3, 4, 6).

Additionally, some evidence has been collected during controlled studies in the lab. In 1932, Chavanon published that 45 children had changed from Schick test positive to Schick test negative (demonstrating antibody to diphtheria) after being treated with Diptherinum. Patterson and Boyd repeated this test in 1941, and 20 of 33 children treated converted to Schick test negative. Roux again repeated the study in 1946 with similar results. (5).

Sources:

1.Travel vaccines – WDDTY magazine, Lynne McTaggart.
2. British National Formulary 1997.
3. Travellers – Health Action Network, leaflet.
4. WDDTY vaccination handbook – this as now been replaced by the Vaccination Bible, by Lynne McTaggart.
5. A handbook of homoeopathic alternatives to immunisation – Susan Curtis, Winter Press, 1994.
6. The blood poisoner’s – Health for All, Lionel Dole, Gateway Book Company (1965).
7. Lethal complications of typhoid-cholera-vaccination. (Case report and review of the literature). Beitr Pathol. 1976 Jul;158(2):212-24.
8. Adverse Events Associated with 17D-Derived Yellow Fever Vaccination --- United States, 2001—2002
9. Rabies Vaccine Inactivated (human diploid cell origin), dried. Connaught vaccine manufacturer’s data sheet.
10. Sexual transmission of typhoid documented in U.S, 26 April 2001, Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.
11. Hepatitis Vaccine Turns out a Killer, China Daily 06/27/2005, page 3.

1. A Handbook of Homeopathic Alternatives to Immunisation – Susan Curtis, Winter Press, 1994.
2. Evidence for Homeopathic Vaccination? British Homeopathic Journal (1999), 98, 86-92.
3. The National Center for Homeopathy, www.homeopathic.org
4. Chavanon, P. La Dipterie, 4th edition. St. Denis, Niort: Imprimerie 1932.
5. Patterson, J and Boyd WE. "Potency Action: A Preliminary Study of the Alteration of the Schick Test by a Homeopathic Potency." British Homeopathic Journal 1941; 31: 301-309.
6. Eizayaga, F. "Tratamiento Homeopatico de las Enfermedades Agudas y Su Prevension." Homeopatia 1985; 51(342): 352-362.