How to get vaccines/immunizations for cheaper

There are only 38 days left until I leave for India. That means it's time for... vaccinations!

Being the cheap person I am, the last thing I wanted to do was head straight over to the travel clinic and pay their outrageous fees. In addition to their general charges each shot costs on average around $100, with some of the series costing up to $700.

Most of the advice here is directed towards Canadians, because of how our health care system works, but if you live abroad you will still be able to use some of these tips.

First off, you will need to know which vaccinations you need. This leaves you with two options: a certified professional who you will have to pay (read 'expensive travel clinic advice') or the classic DIY via the internet.

My personal recommendation is to use the internet, but you will need to make sure you use the right websites and put a little time and effort into this. After you know where you are going create a list by cross referencing three main trustworthy sources: MD Travel Health, World Health Organization, and an up to date main stream guidebook. (ie. Lonely Planet)

After you have a basic list of recommend vaccinations make an appointment with your family doctor. Most family doctors can give you shots for: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and sometimes polio. If they don't carry them in stock they will give you a prescription so you can pick them up and bring them back to be given to you. This method can save a lot of money as three of the shots are often free from your doctor and the remaining two will be cheaper when buying a prescription rather then getting them from the travel clinic.

By now you should be left with only the vaccines that are specific to the country you will be visiting. Unfortunately at this point you will have to go to the travel clinic to get them as no one else will carry them in stock. Book an appointment at the travel clinic but make sure to specify that you already know what you need to get and won't need any consulting, just the shots (this will save you from their $50-100 'travel advice' fee).

If you are going to a country were you are at risk for malaria you may want to buy the medicine when you arrive in the country. The local version will be better fitted to the specific thread of the virus and is often cheaper than back home.

As for me I will be getting diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A, polio, typhoid, meningitis, and possibly others. I'm still undecided on the malaria pills as the side effects they give most people may outweigh the risk of infection, I should have it all figured out by next week.

Money saved so far by not using the travel clinic as a first choice, $315!

Note: It is also worthwhile to first check with your healthcare plan to see what shots they cover and where they require you to get them. Most plans will only cover the basic vaccinations for the country you live in, but who knows.. you may just luck out!