Anyone been to Kenya with children?

[Janni]

DH is taking our two older children (15 and 11) to Kenya on safari. They leave six weeks on Friday. I've been politely suggesting he research vaccinations etc but he hasn't got round to it and is away this week, so I'm taking over. What will they need? Is the GP surgery the best place to go? Are they likely to feel unwell afterwards? Anyb other advice and experience welcome! It's always helpful to hear first-hand experience of these things from other parents.

Hi, i had dd1 in kenya and used to live there

They need vaccinations which thenmurse will give you. My dd had bcg on her first day of life so you need to ask if that is necessary as well as the normal tropical country ones.

The only anti malarial you should consider is Malarone. It is expensive but worth it.

Kenya is a fabulous place where will you go on safari? Can recommend places if you like. Also can pm you number of fantastic doctor if one if you gets unwell (unlikely!)

Have a chat with your paractise nurse. She'll give you a schedule which you probably should start straight away, depending on what they have or haven't had already.

Don't remember any of us feeling unwell. I do remember feeling more and more queasy as the holiday went on, which I assumed was the Malarone, but it went away after I got home so I think it was down to the slightly undercooked omlettes I was having for breakfast!

The thing to stress is that they must continue taking the Malarone for two weeks after they get home - no exceptions.
They'll have a great time.

Schedule here.

Thank you very much for the quick replies. That's very helpful.

We are going to Kenya in August, we have had a consultation with the nurse at the GP's surgery and she was really helpful. So far we have had the Hep A & B and typhoid jabs and haven't experienced any side effects. Our doctors don;t give the Yellow Fever, we have an appointment at a travel clinic to get that in June.

The nurse we spoke to recommended Malarone for all of us, it works out quite expensive but she said it's the only anti-malarial that most people can take without experiencing any side effects, and some of the others can increase the chance of getting sun burnt.

Make sure you also get some good insect repellent and cover up from dusk till dawn with loose fitting clothing.

Thanks kslatts. We saw the nurse today and had pretty much the same advice. Thanks for the reminder about clothing! Enjoy your trip.