The Search for Malaria Pills

If a person travels to another country, they should check with the CDC (Center for Disease Control) first to see if they need to receive any immunizations. Haiti does not require any immunizations to get into the country, but the CDC highly recommends making sure your tetanus immunization is up-to-date and to take anti-malaria pills at least 6 weeks before you travel.

I have been searching high and low for a doctor to prescribe some malaria pills for me. I started with my own physician. When I told the nursing staff that I was traveling to Haiti and needed to make sure my immunizations were up-to-date, they told me that they do not provide that kind of service. I was told to call the Department of Health or a traveling doctor and gave me phone numbers for both. The traveling doctor phone number was no longer working. And the Department of Health never answers their phone. I was able to leave a message for them. That was over a week ago and I have yet to receive a response.

I began to search for traveling doctors in the St. Louis area. I found one and called the clinic. I received no answer and there was no option to leave a message. I sent an email. No answer.

Time is running out. I need those pills so that I can begin taking them. I have approximately one week left to begin the medication in time. As I was at my chiropractor's office, I complained to him how I could not find anyone to prescribe anti-malarial pills. He gave me the name and phone number of one of his physician friends. He told me to drop his name and see if he could provide what I needed. Oh the power of a name! I called the office, told the nurse that my chiropractor recommended this physician to me. I told her I need to start malaria pills very soon! She took my number and said she would call back. She called back in less than 20 minutes and set up an appointment for me for this coming Monday. She said the doctor would be able to prescribe the meds, but he wanted to see me first.

As for the rest of the immunizations, Uncle Sam has provided everything under the sun to me while I was serving in the Air Force. I have every hepatitis vaccine and a wide variety of other immunizations. My shot record reads like a short novel. Tetanus was actually updated through SIUE.