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- Democratic Republic of Congo
Travel Vaccinations for Democratic Republic of Congo
Vaccinations
Certificate Requirements
Yellow fever vaccination certificate required for all travellers aged 9 months or over.
- Yellow Fever vaccination £74 per dose
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How much will it cost?
Per Dose £74 Doses per course 1 Price per course £74
Recommended for all travellers
The vaccines in this section are recommended for all travellers visiting the country.
- Diphtheria £32 per dose
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If you have grown up in the UK, you have received a diphtheria vaccine as a part of your childhood vaccination schedule. Before going to Vietnam you should check whether you need a booster for diphtheria – this is the case if it has been over ten years since your last booster.
Per Dose £32 Doses per course 1 Price per course £32 - Hepatitis A vaccination £63 per dose
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Hepatitis A is a viral infection which causes an inflammation of the liver. In countries where hep A is prominent, many people catch it as a child. The infection tends to be mild in children but can occasionally cause complications. In adults, however, it can lead to liver damage or even liver failure. Although infection rates appear to be on the decrease, hepatitis A is endemic to Sri Lanka and the vaccination is recommended for all travellers.
Per Dose £63 Doses per course 1 Price per course £63 - Poliomyelitis £32 per dose
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Per Dose £32 Doses per course 1 Price per course £32 - Tetanus vaccination £32 per dose
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The tetanus vaccine – or a booster – is recommended for all travellers who are planning to visit a country where access to medical assistance may be limited. You can get tetanus when tetanus bacteria get into your bloodstream, usually due to injury or a wound. You need a booster if your last tetanus jab was over ten years ago.
Per Dose £32 Doses per course 1 Price per course £32 - Yellow Fever vaccination £74 per dose
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_toggle title="Yellow fever prevention"]In addition to a timely yellow fever vaccination, you should protect yourself from mosquito bites while you are abroad.
Using a mosquito repellent and wearing long sleeved-tops as well as long trousers will deter mosquitoes and reduce your risk of catching an infection. You may also wish to take a mosquito coil or plug-in device with you, to use in your accommodation.
By avoiding swamps and other mosquito breeding grounds, you can minimise your exposure to insect bites. Ideally, you should stay in places with air conditioning or at least insect mesh screening in front of all windows.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title="Yellow fever countries"]Yellow fever is currently known to affect people living in or travelling to 43 countries located on the African continent as well as South America.
African nations known to have a high occurrence of yellow fever include most central African nations, for example the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso.
Travellers planning a trip to South America should consider a yellow fever vaccine if travelling to Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia or Venezuela.
Please note: The countries which are considered risk countries are constantly changing. For up to date information on the vaccines you need for your destination, search for the country here.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title="What is yellow fever?"]The World Health Organisation reports that there are about 84,000 – 170,000 severe cases of yellow fever a year, resulting in 29,000 – 60,000 deaths. The most important step in preventing yellow fever is a yellow fever vaccination prior to travel.
Yellow fever is a viral infection, which is passed on by a particular type of mosquito. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which carries the virus, occurs primarily in African and South American countries. The mosquito’s bite leads to infection and the typical symptoms of yellow fever, which include fever, vomiting or nausea, headache, muscle pains and a characteristic yellowing of the whites of the eyes (also known as jaundice). Yellow fever is not passed from person to person.
Yellow fever increases the risk of dehydration and can be very dangerous. It can cause haemorrhagic fever (which causes bleeding from the mouth, eyes, ears and stomach) as well as multi organ failure. The virus causes an estimated 29,000 – 60,000 deaths worldwide every year and affects over 170,000 patients. 20% – 50% of yellow fever patients who suffer severe symptoms die of the infection.
The diagnosis of yellow fever involves a blood test, as the symptoms of yellow fever are very similar to those caused by other tropical diseases. There is no specific yellow fever treatment. In mild cases, patients usually rely on painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication to alleviate the symptoms. In severe cases, hospital treatment is needed.
If you are planning to visit a country where yellow fever is endemic, you need to visit a Superdrug yellow fever centre for a vaccination. The nurse or pharmacist will assess whether the vaccine is suitable for you.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title="Side effects"]Most vaccinations can cause side effects in some patients. The yellow fever vaccine is no exception and you may experience side effects such as headache, muscle pain and fever in the days after you have received the jab. You may also notice swelling or redness at the injection site, which should resolve within two weeks. If you experience any other concerning side effects or do not get better within two weeks, seek medical advice.
Seek urgent medical attention immediately if you notice signs of an allergic reaction after receiving the jab. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include skin rash or hives, swellings and difficulty breathing, as well as feeling weak or faint.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title="About the yellow fever vaccine"]
The yellow fever jab is available at your local Superdrug travel health clinic, which is a registered yellow fever centre. You need to arrange your vaccine for a date at least ten days before you travel. Once you have received the vaccine, you are protected for life (there are some exceptions to this rule, under 2 year olds for example may need a booster).
Please note that a four week minimum interval period should ideally be observed between the administration of MMR and Yellow Fever vaccines to ensure these are effective. If you think you need protection from yellow fever urgently and leaving this gap may not be possible, please talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title="Yellow fever certificate"]A number of countries require a yellow fever certificate, which is called the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). Other risk destinations may not ask you for a certificate, but if visiting a risk area you still need to have the vaccination. Please bear in mind, your yellow fever certificate will only become valid ten days after the injection.
Yellow fever certificates used to expire after a certain number of years. However, they are now valid for life for most people. This includes certificates which were issued before this rule changed in July 2016 and which have an expiry date on them.
If you have been vaccinated at one of our clinics and have lost your yellow fever certificate, our staff will be able to issue a replacement card. We charge an admin fee of £20 for issuing a new yellow fever certificate.
You do not need to pay extra for your first certificate if you receive the jab at one of our clinics.
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Per Dose £74 Doses per course 1 Price per course £74
Recommended for some travellers
Whether you will need any of the vaccines in this section depends on the region you're travelling to, the activities you have planned and your medical history.
- Hepatitis B vaccination £52 per dose
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Hepatitis B is a blood borne disease. It is transmitted during sex as well as via contaminated needles (for example when undergoing a medical procedure or a cosmetic procedure involving equipment that hasn’t been sterilised).
The vaccine is usually recommended for travellers who are visiting a country where hepatitis B is endemic for a longer period of time as well as anyone likely to come in close contact with the local population (for example aid workers and volunteers). The nurse or pharmacist may also recommend it if you’re planning any activities that put you at a higher risk of injury.
Hepatitis B can cause a range of symptoms. It can become chronic and cause liver damage.
Per Dose £52 Doses per course 3 Price per course £156 - Meningococcal Meningitis £50 per dose
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Per Dose £50 Doses per course 1 Price per course £50 - Rabies vaccination £74 per dose
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Rabies is a disease transmitted when you’re scratched or bitten by an animal that carries the disease. This could be any wild animal such as a bat or a fox but also a domestic animal such as a dog or cat. Although animals who have rabies will develop symptoms as the disease progresses, you can’t know for sure whether an animal carries it. Rabies is almost always fatal so it’s very important that you seek medical attention immediately if you’re bitten or scratched by an animal while in a country where rabies is endemic.
The nurse or pharmacist may recommend the vaccine if you will be visiting rural areas with limited access to medical care or if you are planning to work with or handle animals. They may also recommend it if you’re staying for longer than one month.
Per Dose £74 Doses per course 3 Price per course £222 - Typhoid vaccination £38 per dose
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Like hepatitis A, typhoid fever is a food- and waterborne disease. It causes digestive problems such as diarrhoea or constipation, stomach pain and a high fever. The typhoid vaccination is recommended for all travellers visiting Sri Lanka, where outbreaks continue to occur. In addition to getting vaccinated you should take care in choosing where you eat and practise good food hygiene while abroad.
Per Dose £38 Doses per course 1 Price per course £38
- Cholera vaccination £34.00 per dose
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Like hepatitis A and typhoid, cholera is a food- and waterborne disease and you need to practise good food hygiene to reduce your risk of cholera.
The cholera vaccine may be relevant for travellers going to rural areas as well as areas with poor sanitation. Your nurse or pharmacist will assess your cholera risk based on where you’re travelling to as well as the activities you have planned and make a recommendation as to whether you should have the vaccine.
Per Dose £34.00 Doses per course 2 Price per course £68
Why do I need a consultation?
It is difficult to say which vaccines you need without asking a medical professional. Your itinerary, your medical history and the activities you have planned all affect which vaccinations you need. It is important that a trained travel nurse or pharmacist checks what you need.
Exactly the travel vaccinations you need - no more, no less.
During your consultation, our nurse or pharmacist will talk you through the health risks at your travel destinations to check which vaccines you need. If a vaccine is not essential, we will explain your options so you can decide whether you would like to have it.
Malaria
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes. You cannot be vaccinated against malaria.
Malaria Precautions
- Malaria risk is high throughout the year in all areas.
- Malaria precautions are essential Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.
- Check with your doctor or nurse about suitable antimalarial tablets.
- See malaria map – additional information can be found by clicking on the Regional Information icon below the map.
- High risk areas: atovaquone/proguanil OR doxycycline OR mefloquine is usually advised for risk areas.
- If you have been travelling in a malarious area and develop a fever seek medical attention promptly. Remember malaria can develop even up to one year after exposure.
- If travelling to an area remote from medical facilities, carrying standby emergency treatment for malaria may be considered.
