As you may have seen, we’re planning quite a trip that’ll take us through quite a few countries, which means we’re likely to encounter quite a few nasty diseases.

And that means quite a few jabs.

How many jabs you ask? Well, we’ve been attending our local NHS surgery every week for the last 6 weeks and we’re now on first-name terms with the local nurse – is how many jabs.

Ouch

Now, I’m no fan of injections. Or pain in general really. My Mum will delight in telling you I’m pretty squeamish, though you need just ask her which one of us it was that passed out and fell under the operating table when I was laid out having my finger stitched up. I’m definitely my Mother’s son.

And I was not looking forward to the multitude of injections that, according to our research of the most likely diseases we might encounter, and verified by Nurse Karen, we thought it best to get vaccinated against. Out of curiosity, what is the collective noun for injections?

Anyway.. comparing the symptoms of the diseases with the mild and short-lived pain of injections is the easiest way to convince yourself the injections are worth it. Just take a look at of some of these..

Rabies:

Symptoms expand to slight or partial paralysis, anxiety, insomnia, confusion, agitation, abnormal behaviour, paranoia, terror, and hallucinations, progressing to delirium.

Hepatitis B:

The acute illness causes liver inflammation, vomiting, jaundice, and, rarely, death. Chronic hepatitis B may eventually cause cirrhosis and liver cancer – a disease with poor response to all but a few current therapies.

Encephalitis:

Symptoms include headache, fever, confusion, drowsiness, and fatigue. More advanced and serious symptoms include seizures or convulsions, tremors, hallucinations, and memory problems.

 

That’s it. Definitely getting vaccinated.

Double Ouch

Ahh, but wait a second. Because these diseases are so rare in the United Kingdom, we have to pay for the vaccinations. OK, how much are we talking?

• Rabies injection: £60.00
• Hepatitis B injection: £44.10
• Japanese Encephalitis: £80.00

That’s (*reaches for calculator*).. £184.10 !!

Ahh.. wait but another second, that’s the per injection price. Most of these vaccinations are for a course of 3 injections!!!

Triple Ouch

That makes for a total of £472.30 (the Japanese Encephalitis is two injections)

Before we’ve even packed our bags, we’ve spent more on vaccinations than all our other expenses to date put together. And you know what, after re-reading those symptoms, we don’t begrudge a single penny.