Travelling prior to 8 week vaccinations

[RSShaka]

My family and I are planning to travel to east Africa at the end of this month. Amongst us is our four week old baby who by that time will be just under eight weeks and so will be unable to have his first jabs prior to us travelling.

The more I'm thinking about it, the more worried I'm becoming about travelling through airports and on planes for several hours with recycled air. Do both of these pose high risks for diseases?

We are unable to reschedule our trip for numerous reasons so I would love some reassurance or advice as to how to go about this.

Please please help!!

Thank you

Do your baby and you really have compelling reasons to travel to this country at this time?. Can it really not be rescheduled or more likely have your names taken off the booking?.

Viruses like cold and flu viruses, not just to say something like norovirus can be spread far more easily in places where lots of people congregate and otherwise mix with each other. And not just on airports or aircraft.

I would also be worried about the country you are visiting if your child has not been given any vaccinations beforehand. What is their healthcare system like, what about drinking water?. Your child's health is of paramount importance here and I daresay you would not enjoy the visit because you would be concerned the whole time for baby's health.

Your risk of dvt is raised post partum too. Do you really have to travel?

I have travelled on a plane with a 6 week old - so pre vaccinations - but that was to Europe and I would be very reluctant to do the trip you are suggesting. If the area has malaria I absolutely would not risk it.

If you have to go then I would think the safest way would be to breastfeed so that the baby gets the benefit of your antibodies (and also so no faffing with bottles and risk of infection that way).

You really need to speak to your practice nurse and of doctor about this. Personally I think this is a really bad idea and that you shouldnt be knowingly travelling with a baby this young who essentially has no protection against anything. You dont specify which area you are going for, how long you are staying, length of flight etc. But assuming it is long haul then yes, the recycled air will pose a problem and yes, the more people he comes into contact with the higher the risk of illness. this is true for anyone of any age. Have you got insurance? have you investigated what health care is available locally should you need it? Unless this is absolutely essential travel - and I dont count weddings or holidays in this - I really think you shouldnt do it.

Sorry OP but I wouldn't even travel myself without having all the required vaccinations, let alone a tiny newborn.

I'd have a frank discussion with the Practice Nurse.
Depending where you're travelling to you might need to consider Yellow Fever and Malaria risks too.

Personally I wouldn't. Because of the destination never mind the flights/airports.. Too many potential dangerous diseases and perhaps limited health care.

I'd be inclined to ring up somewhere like school of tropical medicine (the one in Liverpool for example does range of jabs far more than a GP surgery) for specialist advice on issues for specific country and region, disease levels and what if any injections would help prior to travel.

Get professional advice, you need to be really careful with Africa

I wouldn't even consider doing this with a 4 week old. Far too risky.

I’m sorry to be a killjoy and add to the above but agree with the PPs, this isn’t a trip I’d be making with a very small baby. I lived in Kenya when I was a child & we had to have multiple location specific injections as well as the usual. With an 8 week old, a small problem like gastroenteritis could quickly become a big one if you’re not easy striking distance of decent medical care (which exists but very locationally patchy). It’s obviously your call though but East Africa isn’t going anywhere and there will be a better time to go.

I too would good advice (speaking as someone who got chickenpox from a long haul flight at aged 26 which ended up being pretty hideous).

Please don't do this. I've flown multiple times with my son since he was 12 weeks old but what you are proposing is so dangerous.