Vaccinations And Immunizations

8K Expeditions

Vaccinations And Immunizations

Essential Vaccinations and Immunizations for Trekkers and Mountaineers

 

Proper vaccinations and immunizations are crucial for trekkers and mountaineers to ensure a safe and healthy journey, especially in remote and high-altitude regions. These preventive measures protect against diseases that may be prevalent in the area or triggered by extreme conditions. By staying up to date on essential vaccines, you can focus on your adventure while minimizing health risks during your expedition.

 

Vaccines for disease

Recommendations

Clinical Guidance for Healthcare providers

Routine vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

  1. Chickenpox (Varicella)
  2. Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
  3. Flu (influenza)
  4. Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
  5. Polio
  6. Shingles

Immunization schedules

COVID-19

Everyone 16 years of age and older should get fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before travel.

COVID-19

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one-year-old or older going to Nepal.

 

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

 

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on the dosage given.

 

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A (CDC Yellow Book)

Dosing info

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages to Nepal.

Hepatitis B (CDC Yellow Book)

Dosing info

Japanese Encephalitis

Recommended for travelers who

  • Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live
  • Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis
  • Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis

 

Consider vaccination for travelers

 

  • Spending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risks of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets

 

  • Going to areas with Japanese encephalitis who are uncertain of their activities or how long they will be there

Not recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season. 

Japanese encephalitis (CDC Yellow Book)

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine for US Children

Malaria

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Nepal take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find country-specific information about malaria.

Malaria (CDC Yellow Book)

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for Nepal.

Measles

Infants 6 to 11 months old traveling internationally should get 1 dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before travel. This dose does not count as part of the routine childhood vaccination series.

Measles (Rubeola) (CDC Yellow Book)

Rabies

Rabid dogs are commonly found in Nepal. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Nepal, there may be limited or no rabies treatment available. 

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

  • Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
  • Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
  • Visitors to rural areas

Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to Nepal. 

Rabies (CDC Yellow Book)

Typhoid

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid (CDC Yellow  Book)

Dosing info (CDC Yellow Book)

Yellow Fever

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission and ≥9 months of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YF virus transmission.

Yellow Fever (CDC Yellow Book)

 

Source: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/nepal