Ouch.

My arm hurts, dagnabit! I had to get 5 shots today, and will need two more before we leave. Then another in 6 months. Once we get there, there will be another shot we have to get for Japanese Encephalitis. We're holding off on that, because it costs $525 to get them all at the clinic here. Also, it's three shots, it's only 90% effective, and it's got unpleasant side-effects for 1/10th of the people who get it.

Years ago, the Chinese developed a vaccine for Japanese Encephalitis that can be done in one shot, is much cheaper, is more effective, and has far less side-effects. It's been in wide-spread distribution in Asia for a long time now and is part of the normal vaccination series for children, but we can't get it here. I'm guessing the reason is either fear of the commies or the drug company lobbyists, because it's certainly not common sense.

K and I have 3 days of pills to take for Typhoid, but the youngest had to have a shot. It is the tiniest shot I've ever seen. She didn't even have time to finish the first word of her freak-out before it was over. After seeing how well she took it, I would have opted for the shots for me and K, too, but the pills are effective for twice as long.

Most of our health stuff is now squared away. The last bit to get done are chest x-rays, and blood/urine/feces tests so we can get our visas.

Ain't travel grand?