Travel to Russia. TBE vacc. not avail. NZ, suggestions please
 

Hi Folks,

Planning a trip across Russia, starting in June. Riding from Vlad to Europe, possibly include Mongolia. Planning on camping as much as possible becasue I'm on a budget. :funmeterno:

Details here: Jane and Mark - Russian Traverse 2007

Anyway got rabies, MMR, flu, tetanus, typhoid sorted. But the vaccination against TBE is not available in New Zealand. Also heard it's not available Aussie, but can't confirm this. :confused1:

This means I've got three choices. :scooter:

1. Don't bother with vaccination
2. Get first shot in Korea and second shot in Russia while we're on the road.
3. Get first shot in korea and forget the second shot. Not sure what level of immunity only one shot gives though.

I'd be happy with quality of Korean vaccination, but I'm a bit hesitant on the Russian medicine front. Would anyone like to comment? Is there a widespread immunization regime for TBE in Russia?

What would you do?

Some people, e.g. my doctor says the risk of TBE is negligible, while others are concerned, e.g. recent posts on this forum, and various websites.

I agree that getting into a traffic accident is a much more likely way to come to a premature end, but it would be silly to end up suffering from a preventable disease.

Cheers,
Mark

Jane and Mark - Russian Traverse 2007

Hi Mark,
The info I have says there must be at least 21 days between the first shot and the booster; this could vary between different vaccinations. If you plan on a lot of wild camping in Russia you will come across ticks. If you don't plan to camp or go walk about you are unlikely to see any. Even if you get the shots you still need to be careful. Getting the shot anywhere will need the same precautions ie check the needles and syringe are new or take your own and check the dates on the vaccine.

This vaccine company operates in Australia
Baxter Vaccines | Diseases » TBE » Product Information
Check out the Tick animations on the same site it may make your mind up :)

Steve

Thanks Steve. Couple of points... that site is Austria, not Austrailia... There's a differece of some 20,000 km....

My point is is it worth getting a boster after 21 days on the road?

Planing to camp 9 days out of 10...

No wonder I keep getting lost :)

I should have explained further. If you go to "Baxter world wide" link they have distribution in Austrailia.
It's here Baxter Vaccines | About us » Baxter Worldwide

With your question about a booster, I don't know if a single shot will protect you. After a booster I was covered for up to a year. You need to ask the vacine supplier what effect a first shot has.

Steve

I had my first shot in London but I was in Greece when the time for the second shot came and couldn't find a vaccination center. Now I'm in Turkey and no one has even heard of TBE. I don't expect to find it throughout central asia. I'll be entering the endemic zone after Kazakhstan and spend more than 2 months in Russia until Vladivostok.

Does anyone have any information about where to get this vaccine in Russia. Can I expect the endemic zones to have it or am I in trouble?

I'll call the address below to see if they supply it to the area, but I would appreciate if you have any information.

Baxter
10-1 Rosanova, 5th floor
123007 Moscow
Tel: +70-95-956-3839
Fax: +70-95-956-3840

I've received the TBE vaccination in Moscow in the past; I would imagine it is readily available in larger cities in Siberia and the Far East, but cannot speak from first hand experience.

Also, from my limited experience, you should generally be OK with the quality of basic medical care in Russia (clean needles, etc.) at least in the cities, but you should always try to keep aware of what is going on.

TBEV in Southern Russia
 

I talked to Sergey from Baxter in Russia. They were very helpful. I want to note the info in here so that others in the same situation know.

TBEV is available in Southern Russia. :thumbup1: I asked for the area near Kazakhstan and Mongolia and he confirmed the availability below... Remember, you need two shots to get optimum protection. Make sure to have your first shot 4 weeks in advance.


Omsk
+7 (3812) 37-20-36 (Intervax)

Barnaul
+7 (3852) 24-36-37 (AskoMed+)

Novosibirsk
+7 (3833) 33-39-26, (Sibmedinfo)

Sergey Lvov
Baxter
Sales and Marketing Manager (Vaccines) for Russia and CIS
office +7 (495) 956-38-39
mob. +7 (495) 725-92-03