To vaccinate or not to vaccinate...that IS the question!!!!!

DO I???  DON'T I???


There have been quite few inquiries about whether or not anyone travelling to Jamaica has to be vaccinated, show proof of vaccinations, carry a Travel Record - here is the truth.  I contacted Capital Health Link (and you are invited to as well) and the bottom line is...

It is NOT REQUIRED to be fully vaccinated, although you may want to consult your doctor as they may RECOMMEND you get vaccinated - it is STRICTLY YOUR DECISION!

To help everyone out I have attached information directly from the Public Health Agency of Canada website for you to review.  There is ALOT of information below but I want everyone to know as much as they can.

Vaccines

Routine Vaccines

Be sure that your routine vaccines are up-to-date regardless of your travel destination.

Vaccines to Consider

You may be at risk for these vaccine-preventable diseases while travelling in this country. Talk to your travel health provider about which ones are right for you.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a disease of the liver spread by contaminated food or water. All those travelling to regions with a risk of hepatitis A infection should get vaccinated.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver spread through blood or other bodily fluids. Travellers who may be exposed (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment or occupational exposure) should get vaccinated.

Influenza

Seasonal influenza occurs worldwide. The flu season usually runs from November to April in the northern hemisphere, between April and October in the southern hemisphere and year round in the tropics. Influenza (flu) is caused by a virus spread from person to person when they cough or sneeze or through personal contact with unwashed hands. Get the flu shot.

Measles

Measles occurs worldwide but is a common disease in developing countries, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia. Measles is a highly contagious disease. Be sure your vaccination against measles is up-to-date regardless of the travel destination.
 

Typhoid

Typhoid is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among travellers going to rural areas, visiting friends and relatives, or with weakened immune systems. Travellers visiting regions with typhoid risk, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation should consider getting vaccinated.

Yellow Fever Vaccination

Yellow fever is a disease caused by the bite of an infected mosquito.
Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.
Risk	There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.
Country Entry Requirement*	Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if you are coming from a country where yellow fever occurs.
Recommendation	Vaccination is not recommended. Discuss travel plans, activities, and destinations with a health care provider.

• About Yellow Fever
• Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

Food/Water

Food and Water-borne Diseases

Travellers to any destination in the world can develop travellers' diarrhea from consuming contaminated water or food.
In some areas in the Caribbean, food and water can also carry diseases like cholera, hepatitis A, schistosomiasis and typhoid. Practise safe food and water precautions while travelling in the Caribbean. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!

• Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
• Risk of developing travellers’ diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.
• The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Insects

Insects and Illness

In some areas in the Caribbean, certain insects carry and spread diseases like dengue fever, malaria and West Nile virus.
Travellers are advised to take precautions against bites.

• Dengue fever occurs in this country. Dengue fever is a viral disease that can cause severe flu-like symptoms. In some cases it leads to dengue haemorrhagic fever, which can be fatal.  
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue bite during the daytime. They breed in standing water and are often found in urban areas.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites. There is no vaccine available for dengue fever.

Malaria

• There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this country.
• Malaria is a serious and occasionally fatal disease that is spread by mosquitoes. There is no vaccine against malaria.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites. This includes covering up, using insect repellent and staying in well-screened, air-conditioned accommodations. You may also consider sleeping under an insecticide-treated bed net or pre-treating travel gear with insecticides.
• Antimalarial medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and the time of year you are travelling. See a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic, preferably six weeks before you travel to discuss your options.

Animals

Animals and Illness

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats. Some infections found in some areas in the Caribbean, like rabies, can be shared between humans and animals.

Person-to-Person

Person-to-Person Infections

Crowded conditions can increase your risk of certain illnesses. Remember to wash your hands often and practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette to avoid colds, the flu and other illnesses.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV are spread through blood and bodily fluids; practice safer sex.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks and impairs the immune system, resulting in a chronic, progressive illness known as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). 

Practise safe sex while travelling, and don’t share needles, razors, or other objects which could transmit infection.
Remember that HIV can also be spread through the use of unsterile medical equipment during medical and dental procedures, tattooing, body piercing or acupuncture. Diseases can also be spread though blood transfusions and organ transplantation if the blood or organs are not screened for HIV or other blood-borne pathogens.

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

I'm SORRY everyone!!!!

I have been terrible at keeping up with my blog!  I hope you all will forgive me - the month of September has been a bit chaotic...but September came fast and....................


SOOOO...with less than 60 days left - don't fret everyone!  Anyone that would still like to join is more than welcome.  By Andrew and I putting down our deposits we safely secured 30 spots until the end of October.  It is your choice - you can drop your deposit now and pay the rest by the end of October or pay the WHOLE thing near the end of October - it's UP TO YOU!  But YOU can still come!!!

Once again her information is below:

Jody Polyzniuk-Strauss
Fareconnect Travel Business Owner
780-554-8434
www.fareconnect.com/jody

**Jody wanted me to extend a HUGE apology as well - for anyone that had left her a voice mail message and she didn't reply a short while ago - please know that she had been losing messages and experiencing a few problems on her phone...she has since replaced her phone so all should be fixed!  Please contact her - she's waiting to hear from you!!!**

 

Just remember....come March in 2014 where do YOU want to be.............

 

DOING THIS???????????

 

OR DOING THIS???????????

 

 

The decision seems pretty easy to me!!!

HMMMM...WHAT TO DO IN OCHO RIOS?!?!

UH OH................


 

I hope you all have received your formal invitation in the mail by now...if not - please let me know and I'd be happy to send off another one to you.  Be sure to send back your "Reply Card" portion which would be the third piece of the Boarding Pass invite - even if you are not able to join us we'd sure like to at least receive your response!

For those who are now thinking - hmmmm - what to do in Ocho Rios, Jamaica...here's some ideas of the Top 10 Things to Do while in Ocho Rios:

· Enjoy the Beach, as well as water sports, world-class diving, sailing, and dolphin swims
 

· Get wet at Dunn’s River and Falls
 

· Have a picnic in Cranbrook Flower Forest
 

· Witness nature’s creation at Green Grotto Caves

· Take a Plantation Tour

· See the views at Shaw Park Botanical Gardens
 

· Visit Island Village for the best shopping and entertainment all in one place
 

· Dance the night away at Reggae Strip

· Play a round at Sandals’ Golf course, the most elite course in Jamaica

· Enjoy year-round festivals and activities