MMR Jab!

Today I had to go to Lake Road surgery to have one final vaccination, before I fly to Asia. I was informed that there had been an serious outbreak of measles in South Korea and the NHS website were advising travellers to have all their vaccinations up to date. To be honest, I have no idea if I have had the necessary jabs or not, but I did  take in my vaccination records from 1971/72 for the nurse to have a look at.

She took a close look at the booklet, which she had never seen before and agreed with me that I should have the new MMR jab, which wasn't around when I was a baby. My Immunisation record card, above did state that I was given the measles jab, but it wasn't clear, if that was correct or not, so she recommended having it anyway. Interestingly she said the Government is currently advising everyone to have the MMR injection, especially those forty years of age and over, since it wasn't available four decades ago.

I have to return to the surgery next month to have a follow up booster, but after that, I should be fully immunised. Until then the first MMR jab should protect me while travelling in the Far East.  I also managed to find time to rush into Boots the Chemist to get some mosquito repellent. Because I haven't had the Japanese Encephalitis vaccination, it is important to get the best sprays and creams I can. Boots were more than helpful, as they have been all along and have prescribed the best they could, at a cost of course....Still better to be safe than sorry!

We are nearly ready for our departure now and have just spent the evening sorting out the stacks of paperwork needed for our trip. There are eight flights involved, numerous hotels and transfers and all the necessary insurance documents to organise and we are going to be traversing Asia with a large A4 folder of records just in case. Don't forget we are journeying to Communist countries, absolute Monarchies, as well as democratic republics, so we really have to prepare for any eventuality. Readers to 'Roaming Brit' are well aware of how badly I cope with stress, so you can imagine just how much anxiety and tension I have at the moment, especially when one considers we have to co-ordinate Darrell's arrival from Australia as well!

Talking of Darrell.  I was able to speak with him briefly today. Like me he is feeling the pressure. Leaving his Mother for a period of time is going to be hard, especially with her health in such a delicate state. As he said to me, he just wants to be there, so we can spend some time together and finally relax after such a difficult and traumatic time. It has been a challenging few years for us both, but I am glad we are doing what we do best - travelling and seeing the World once more and minimising the trepidation we experience every single day!

I will of course do what I can to blog while I am in Asia, but am mindful of our tight schedule, so don't expect miracles. Tomorrow is Good Friday and I have more packing and planning to do before our departure. It will be strange seeing my husband after such a long time, but I am looking forward to the adventure it will bring!

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