Vaccination and Medical Test Fun! 병원에 갔어요.

A week and a half ago, I made a trip to the Itaewon International Clinic in Seoul to get my medical check started and to plan out a course of vaccinations. The doctor was more than accommodating and checked me out right there and then. I must say that going to Africa required less medical checks (no bodily fluid tests, x-rays, etc.), but requires quite a bit more needles putting things into my body.

Much to my surprise, the doctor offered to give me a few shots the same day. So I got a Hepatitis B booster shot, a Typhoid Fever shot and a TB test shot (which I returned to get read two days later - I don't have TB, if you were wondering). Three needles in one day was a bit much. I had to get one in each shoulder and one on my forearm. Fun times for someone who doesn't like needles (and who just had blood taken a week or two earlier to get his teaching visa renewed)

I was informed by this doctor that there is no multi-strain meningococcal and thus no vaccine is available. Although I don't find it strange that the disease is not here, I do find it odd that I cannot get a vaccine for it in Korea. Does that mean that there is Typhoid Fever and Yellow Fever in Korea? Either way, I will have to wait until I return to Canada (or another country that has the vaccine) before I can get that shot in the arm.

On top of all that, I got two prescriptions: one for malaria pills (apparently not the ones that will give me bad dreams) and one for an antibiotic (cypro I think?). I have a long time until I need them, but since things are so cheap in Korea, I'll likely get them pre-departure.

I was also told that I have to go to a special place to get my Yellow Fever vaccination. I have yet to make this appointment, as teaching has been very busy the last few weeks. Look for a description of that ordeal in the future (I may have to go to the Airport to get this, but probably not).

Anyway, here's hoping it all works out.

Until next time!