A Shot in the Dark

I’ve been lamely attempting to get our vaccines current. Partly, my Spanish is not so phenomenal that I can relate to medical terms or know what questions to ask in Spanish... much less understand the answer. Also, finding a facility that will provide the vaccines we want seems to be a real effort. I walked all over La Paz and here in Santa Rosalia I've asked many a person. In this summer heat, who wants to go knocking door to door all day?

These are the vaccines we need:

Jim and I each need Tetanus and Hepatitis A & B. The kids are current on their school required vaccines, but they each need Hep A. The Hep A is the vac that shields your body from food that may have come in contact with fecal matter (**gag**). Let’s face it, not everyone washes their hands after going potty. And you can get it other ways too, but this one is stuck in my head now.

Jim and I went into the hospital here in Santa Rosalia and we each got out Tetanus. I’m pretty sure I haven’t had one since I was in my early 20's. Jim doesn’t remember anything, so we just played the better safe than sorry game. Of course, this was after I cut my leg on a rusty nail getting out of the dinghy and onto the docks last week.

Claudia the nurse saw us within minutes of arriving at the hospital and got wrote down our names, ages and such. Then the other nurse who also happened to be Claudia gave the injection. Jim opted not to have his given in is bobo... and I’m thankful too... for the sake of the photo.

Unfortunately, they don't have the Hep A or B vaccines at this hospital. So, I met with a local doctor who ordered the vacs for us.  I had to leave a 1000 peso deposit with him (about $79US) and it should come in a week from now. We'll return 5 weeks or so for the booster. The best part about the Tetanus? It was free! That's right... free!