Who would have ever guessed vaccinations would be so temperamental... Ok, so it's a rather obvious, but still, some of these vaccinations have the strangest side effects. Take for instance the Malaria Pill, Chloriquine. This drug is commonly prescribed for travelers who are going to Mexico and Central America. On the CDC website, they list the most common side effects being nausea and vomiting, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, and/or itching. And, then notes that these side-effects are not "serious enough to stop taking the drug". Hmm, if I had the choice to see clearly and possibly become infected with Malaria, or, walk around blurry eyed, I'd choose the former- I've always grown up with the belief that vision was an important part of traveling. But, that's just me. Then there's Japanese Encephalitis. Patiently awaiting my injection of the vaccination, the nurse comes into the waiting room and say's "here's some information regarding the JE vaccination".
"JE vaccine is associated with local reactions and mild systemic side effects (fever, headache, myalgias, and malaise) in approximately 20% of vaccines. More serious hypersensitivity reactions, including generalized urticaria, angioedema, respiratory distress, and anaphylaxis have occurred within minutes to as long as 1 week after immunization. Such hypersensitivity reactions have occurred in up to 0.6% of vaccines. Reactions have been responsive to therapy with epinephrine, antihistamines, or steroids, or a combination of these." As she left the room she ended with, "Oh, and after receiving the vaccination, we'll have to monitor you for 30 minutes.". Hmm, what am I getting myself into... When we discussed the shot, it never sounded so drastic...
