?There are two things in life that I truly hate. Well, maybe fear is a better word for it. Those two things are snakes and shots.
When I was a kid, my parents were diligent in making sure that my brother and I were up to date on our vaccinations. My dad had polio as a child, and there was no way we were missing one of those shots. That’s probably where the fear began to grow.
As an adult (at least in age), I’ve gone years, well, probably decades, without the most basic of vaccinations.
For travelers, having a tetanus shot is one of the most basic vaccinations to have. You hear stories all the time about someone stepping on a rusty nail, or cutting their foot on a piece of glass, only to be whisked off to some sub-standard medical facility for treatment. I have never, in my entire life, stepped on a rusty nail, so that argument never held much sway with me.
With age, though, also comes wisdom, and I’ve come to realize that avoidance of common sense vaccinations is not the best approach. It’s time to face my fears head on. So, I’ve had a tetanus shot, and now am lining up my Hepatitis B shots, a series of three.
In my work, I come into contact with a great number of people, and I travel to places that put me in a high-risk category for Hepatitis B exposure. This is a time when a little common sense prevention is a good idea. (For those of you who know me personally: Yes, I know I’ve been saying this for a long time, but this time I’m really going to do it.)
The CDC (Center for Disease Control) provides current information about vaccinations recommended for travelers, as well as information about health risks in various parts of the world. I suggest checking it out while planning your next vacation. Don’t wait till the last minute, though, as some of the vaccinations involve multiple shots over a period of time.
I guess mom and dad were right. I really do need to have my shots.