Chile Forum

I just searched the forums and found a lot about rabies vaccinations for dogs but not for humans, so here goes!

The doctor at the travel clinic where we've started vaccinations (Hepatitis etc) has suggested that we consider getting rabies vaccinations done for the move to Chile. I know the vaccine just buys you a bit of time and so it seems like a good idea if you're somewhere remote without access to medical treatment quickly, which we probably be at some point. Has anyone had them done? Is it worth the £120 and three injections over several months?

Thanks for your time!

Are you planning to be bit by a wild animal?

If you do not expect to get rabies where you live now, or do not expect to be playing with wild animals when you get to Chile (generally not recommend anywhere), it is a total waist of time and money.

As far as I am aware, there is nothing in Chile that you can get a vaccine for that you would not normally need in North America or Europe.

So if you have issues with the local wild life where you are at now, I would recommend getting a rabies vaccine for Chile. Wild animals do not like being poked at any more here than there.

Nothing personal, but that sounds like total State Department / CDC paranoia helping to sell a vaccine that very few people really need.

The doctor at your travel clinic probably spent years and years of their life in order to learn about the true nature of various human diseases, and the proper measures to prevent them. He must be well-educated specialist, and is honestly willing to help you. If you don't listen to your doctor -- you're against the very science of medicine. Why not listen to the doctor, rather then other people? Do they have a diploma, or what? Are they medicine men?

yea, good point.

Besides unless it is going to have some nasty side effect you need to consider, likely one of those better to have it and not need it vaccines. At least it might protect you when poking at the wild life on the forum.

I don't think one may judge whether this one is going to have any side effect or not, unless they are a doctor. And I just cannot understand why certain people on this board are against vaccines. This one is definitely cheap. £120 for three injections, or only £40 for one injection. Only £40. Very cheap, indeed.

Rune, I'm sold.

My point is not to give medical advice. My point is to point out the discrimination and stereo type that is pushed by the "developed" countries about "developing" countries. Cross reference CDC and embassy recommendations against medical journals. You will see a lot of stuff that is more politically and financially motivated that medically or scientifically motivated.

Rabies is a prime example of this. In Chile you will find rabies vaccines widely available across the country, and most likely even more common in rural hospitals and clinics because people living in rural areas are more likely to come in contact with animals both wild and domestic. Yes, in poor developing countries where it is a well known fact there is little to no public health system in the rural areas (e.g. Guatemala, Honduras, China), not being able to find treatments for rabies exposure in a reasonable amount of time might be a concern; but, just lumping Chile in with rest of the developing countries because it is a developing country is discrimination.

If I was taking a trip to Montana, South Dakota, Alaska or just about anywhere in the midwest United States, do you honestly think a doctor would recommend that I get a rabies vaccine just because I am visiting those places? No, but those places have far more problems with rabies outbreaks than Chile.

Recommending that someone get a rabies vaccine just because they are going to Chile is absurd. It is plain and simple discrimination. Now if I went to my doctor and told them something like, I am going to Chile for 6 weeks to help spade and neuter street dogs in rural areas or study wild animals, then I might have good logical medical need for a rabies vaccine. Barring exposure to risky situations, the doctor would have no more medical grounds (because there are no logical grounds) to recommend that I get a rabies vaccine than if I went to any other part of the world to engage in a risky behavior that would potentially expose me to rabies. Exercising reason does not require a medical license, and there is also no vaccine for stupidity (I hear they are working on it though).

And yes, I do believe just because someone has a medical degree, does not mean you leave your own reason and common sense at home. Doctors make mistakes, doctors can be misinformed, and doctors do things for motives other than your own best interest. It is every individuals responsibility at the end of the day to make their own reasoned choice, and it is your doctor's ethical responsibility to assist you in that. In fact, informed consent is the very foundation of medical ethics. That 'informed consent' implies you are responsible / blame worthy for failing to apply reason about the choices your doctor gives you assuming a minimal understanding of the pros and cons it implies.

Many have and still do push arguments from authority as a justification for many things, but at the end of the day it is still a logical fallacy.

I am not against vaccination, and would highly urge anyone to get whatever vaccine they need. I do however believe unnecessary vaccine is a waist of public health resources and potentially dangerous to individuals as any unnecessary medical treatment.

I don't believe that the other posters can be serious today, as the recent "18th of September" holidays should have left some traces in their minds, and some level of alcohol in their blood. They are even including smilies in their posts. However, I would absolutely agree, that no one should "leave their own reason and common sense at home".

What does our reason tell us? It tells us that our health is the most precious thing, and I am absolutely sure about that. Hence, just a slight chance, even a small possibility to be exposed to risky situations must be considered. It must be thoroughly considered, and should be taken very seriously. This is especially true, when moving to a foreign country.

Even though doctors do make mistakes. And yes, even though doctors can be misinformed. But. Your home country is a "1st world" country, and the level of education of your doctor is high. It must be high enough, to make informed decision.

Why not just get whatever vaccine you need, as per your doctors' advice? Do think about your health. Our health is the very first thing.

eeuunikkeiexpat wrote:Rune, I'm sold.

What can we say in regard to the above remark? The poster probably thinks that the cost of the said medicine is high, and for that reason it would not be acceptable. You may safely disregard such posters' opinions. For they are simply "observers without an opinion", as per their own signature line.

Any price is good for me.
Any medicine for brain boring worms?

Again this smilie. I hate these smilies. Posting a smilie just indicates that people cannot say anything really useful.

Well. Carry on. We are all responsible adults.

We are all responsible people but please be careful of the little creatures living in your chicha. <smilee free post>