Up to six months before you leave for Tunisia, you need to start
thinking about your medical needs for your trip, as some vaccinations
need to be obtained six months prior to departure. Here are my tips:
Visit your doctor and your dentist
i.e. Since I am allergic to penicillin, I had my doctor write me a
prescription for Erythromycin.
Fill all necessary prescriptions
Contact the local Travellers' Health Services Clinic or
local health (travel) authority. There they can tell you what shots you need
and give you lots of helpful advice. Ask lots of questions! Here's what they
told me:
Get immunized for Typhoid
(oral Typhoid is good for seven years).
Get immunized for Hepatitis A.
They have a new shot called Haurix. You get three shots in all.The first two are a month apart and these are
needed BEFORE you leave. The third is due six months to a year later
and that makes the immunization good for ten years (I think it is ten
years).
Get immunized or a booster for Tetanus if you are over due.
Educte yourself about Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia).
This is caused by a flatworm. You get the
disease mainly from bathing, wading or working in fresh water. So just avoid swimming in fresh
water and shallow water (snails often are infected with it). In other words don't swim in lakes or
fresh water streams and drink bottled or boiled water.
And or course travel with a well supplied first aid kit!
Do not worry about:
Malaria. While some countries in North
Africa are at risk (Algeria, Egypt, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,
Western Sahara, and Morocco), Tunisia is not.
Yellow Fever. There is little or no risk of
yellow fever infection Tunisia but a vaccination may be required for entry
Like any other trip abroad, what and how much you pack will depend on
what kind of trip you are taking. However, here are some tips specific
to Tunisia:
Bring modest clothing
This is especially important if you intend to visit mosques
and more rural and southern parts of Tunisia.