Yellowfever

In July, prior to coming to Ecuador, we all had to be immunized against Typhoid to protect us from the waterborne illnesses that we might encounter here.  Selah had to have the shot version since she is younger than six years of age, which we could only get from a travel clinic on the west side of Houston--approximately 15 miles from our home--to the tune of about $155.  Doug and I and the boys, all being older than six, were allowed to have the pills which were available at our neighborhood Walgreens for $71/each person--way cheaper.  When we arrived we were informed that the boys could have the pills with a prescription (something they forgot to mention when I first investigated our options); Doug and I would not need a prescription but if we had one, we could take our pills home and self-administer. 

You see, to immunize appropriately one must take four Typhoid pills, each two days apart. 

So, I phoned the pediatrician (for the boys) and our family doctor (for Doug and I) to see whether I could secure this simple permission from each.  Sadly I struck out on both and returned to the Walgreens.  Walgreens said that Doug and I could have our pills but we would have to come every-other day for the next eight days to take the pills.  No problem--Walgreens is close to home.  The boys, however, would not receive theirs without the prescription and were told that we could go to the travel clinic (the same one that we took Selah to 15 miles from home at twice the price).  Hard pressed, I contacted the doctor again and eventually got a positive response.  So, to the pediatrician's office we rode, and then back to the Walgreens we went, prescription in hand, thinking we'd be able to get the boys' eight-day regiment begun.  Things were looking up. 

Walgreens typed in all their information, made sure they had enough pills, then discovered that the pediatrician had written a prescription for the shots, not for the pills.  As you can probably guess, pharmacists cannot dispense pills if a doctor states that it is to be a shot. So, we (the pharmacist and I) called the pediatrician back and asked if she would permit the boys to have the pills.  Negative.  She didn't feel comfortable with the pills since she'd done no research on them and had no idea about their nature.  Fine.  I asked the pharmacist to just give us the shots.  Negative.  Walgreens does not stock shots.  Only pills. 

So.....we went home and I called around to various other locations that might come up with a different story.  CVS, Kroger, HEB, Wal-Mart, etc.  All negative.  Meanwhile, we're getting closer and closer to our day of departure and the kids have to have Typhoid in their systems at least a week before we arrive.  It would already take eight days to get the final dose in--time was running out.  So....off to the travel clinic we went again.  This time to the tune of something like $425.  The boys got their pills and we were at least allowed to bring them home and administer pills two, three, and four from our own fridge.  All in all, Typhoid cost us something like $722!

At least it's better than the alternative...

And, did I mention that the pediatrician's office called the next day to say they were ready to give us a pill prescription?.....  Ahhhhhhh

Well, today after school the entire Thompson family took in the Shell community health clinic, four blocks from our house, in pursuit of a Yellow Fever vaccine.  We were told that getting it here in Ecuador would be cheaper than in the states.  Daddy went just before school was out since he had a meeting to run after school.  So, at 3:30 the kids and I trooped down to this small building housing several little offices such as obstetrics, pharmacy, vaccinations, etc. located off of a main larger hallway/reception area.  People of all ages waited here patiently for their turn in each of the various offices.  When we walked in and asked for a Yellow Fever vaccine, the nurse took us immediately, filled out our yellow immunization cards and took out needles.  Crying included, this took no more than ten minutes and cost us--brace yourself--nothing.  Free.  Music to my ears.  I therefore felt like the success of this entire outing called for an ice cream.  Mommy included.  Four ice creams, one lemonade, and $2.75 later, the Yellow Fever story beats the Typhoid story in my book hands down. 

Who says all things are better in the States?!

Thanks for reading!  Blessings, kim