Immunization Requirements - Summer 2007

Immunizations Required for AMIGOS Participants – Summer 2007

The following immunizations are required or strongly recommended for all AMIGOS volunteers and project staff members. AMIGOS
consults our Medical Director, in country Peace Corp office and the guidelines set out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
in establishing volunteer vaccine requirements. AMIGOS will mail you any updates specific to your project area and country. For more
information, consult your doctor. The cost of immunizations is not covered in the participation fee.

Chicken Pox	Required for all Volunteers	All volunteers are required to have proof of immunization against chickenpox, or documentation of immunity to chickenpox (Varicella IgG positive status)
Dipheria/Tetanus/ Pertussis (Adacel)	Required for all Volunteers	One Adacel injection recommended for all volunteers even if a tetanus booster has been received in the last 10 years. A Diphtheria/Tetanus booster is REQUIRED in the last 10 years (assuming the basic series has been completed previously). Please see the following link for more information: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/pr/pr_tdap_jun2005.htm
Hepatitis A	Required for all Volunteers	The Hep A vaccine should be given at least two weeks before departure to the field. A booster shot of Hep A should be given 6-12 months following the initial injection (this may be administered after the summer program).
Malaria	Required for Volunteers in all projects EXCEPT Brazil, Costa Rica, Guanajuato, Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay.	Volunteers assigned to all projects, other than Brazil, Costa Rica, Guanajuato, Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay should receive Chloroquine Phosphate (Aralen). The prophylaxis is in the form of oral medication taken once weekly, beginning one week before potential exposure, each week during potential exposure and for four weeks following potential exposure. Volunteers should consult their doctors regarding the appropriateness of these drugs for them. Some volunteers may have allergies, which necessitate other medication. One alternative is to take Doxycycline 100mg a day while in country, and for 4 weeks after. Please visit http://www.cdc.gov/travel/regionalmalaria/index.htm for more information.
Measles/Mumps Rubella	Required for all Volunteers	Volunteers are required to have had 2 doses of the measles vaccine. This may be either the initial MMR and 1measles or 2 MMR.
Polio	Required for all Volunteers	Volunteers are required to have completed a full series. Normally, a full series is completed by entry into kindergarten/1st grade. If records of vaccination cannot be found, a booster shot of IPV is sufficient.
Tuberculosis (TB) skin test	Required for all Volunteers	Volunteers should inform their physician’s that they will be living in rural or urban areas in Latin America and should have a TB skin test BEFORE and AFTER participating in the field program.
Typhoid Fever	Required for all Volunteers	Volunteers can receive either an oral vaccine, (4 capsules taken over 8 days) or an injection, to be received at least three weeks before departure.
Hepatitis B	Recommended for all Volunteers	The American Academy of Pediatrics and Academy of Family Practice recommends that all adolescents be vaccinated for Hepatitis B. Volunteers should discuss the Hepatitis B vaccine with their physician.
Meningitis (Menactra)	Recommended for all Volunteers	Please see the following link for more information: http://www.fda.gov/cber/products/mpdtave011405.htm
Rabies	Optional for all projects	There are three vaccines available: Human Diploid Cell Vaccine (HDCV), Rabies Vaccine Adsorbed (RVA), and Purified Chick Embryo Cell vaccine (PCEC). Vaccine is administered on days 0, 7, and 21 or 28 as an intramuscular injection. HDCV may be administered as an intradermal injection, as well. If volunteers have been exposed to rabies, they will require additional vaccination in the field. Those who have received pre-exposure vaccination against rabies will require less immunization in the field than those who have not been immunized prior to exposure. Post-exposure prevention of rabies for those who have not received pre-exposure immunization will require use of Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG), which may be difficult to obtain, and possibly require evacuation from the field. For this reason, rabies immunization may be appropriate for all volunteers requesting it.
Yellow Fever	*Recommended for Brazil, Panama and Paraguay	*Yellow Fever occurs in these countries. One injection provides protection for 10 years. For further info see the links: for Brazil and Paraguay - http://www.cdc.gov/travel/tropsam.htm and for Panama - http://www.cdc.gov/travel/camerica.htm
Mosquito Netting	Required for all Volunteers	All volunteers should bring netting. Determination will be made in Latin America as to whether netting is required at specific locations.