Safe travel

[Lochy]

Apologies if this is not directly relevant. I know there are a few members from New Zealand on the forum so hoping I can pick your brains! I’m travelling next February to New Zealand to visit my son in Auckland and travel around the country. This will be my second trip but this time I’m also keen to visit one of the South Pacific islands eg Samoa or one that’s not too far away!

As we’re all classified as immunosuppressed is it safe to visit these islands. I’m also taking a biologic Etanercept which increases my risk of infection apparently so I’m now getting concerned as to whether it’s a sensible plan. Do any of you Holiday there and do you need to take vaccinations to travel? I know we shouldn’t take any live vaccinations.

thanks for any advice

[Megams]

~Hi Locy - lovely to hear you are visiting down under and hopefully our weather will be on its best behavior

I no longer travel to any of the islands after taking poorly very quickly years prior to PMR diagnosis - hospitals on those various islands well below par in fact 3rd world.

I considered myself fit and healthy at the time too

Had it not been for a quick thinking private GP I consulted the day after spending 5 hours waiting at local A&E I probably would have returned to NZ in a box.

I was barely breathing on one lung - picked up a mystery airborne virus which unbeknown to me had previously been rampant on the island with many deaths.

Good luck with your decision.

[Lochy in reply to Megams]

it’sa tricky one! It’s also difficult to ascertain what health provision is like. I keep well despite the drugs and don’t catch colds or anything since being immunosuppressed! I find that one a bit weird but I know PMRpro has said the same.

I just don’t want to be lulled into a false sense of security hence my question.

Thanks for your reply.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Glad to see you’re going back, obviously the weather didn’t put you off last time around..🤣😂

Think Fiji is a very popular destination for NZers….

[pata63]

Enjoy your visit to NZ. Here is the current travel advice from the NZ government for the Pacific countries.

safetravel.govt.nz/pacific

I haven't travelled anywhere since 2019 due to health issues so I'm not up with the current state of play. Echoing what Megams said, medical facilities and treatment aren't at the level you might be used to.

[Lochy in reply to pata63]

Thanks very much, very useful. I’m very undecided but it’s always been one of my dreams to visit a South Pacific Island!

[Manihiki]

Hi Lochy

Great to hear you are coming to New Zealand. I live in Auckland. I think that the Cook Islands would be a great choice. It is 3 hours flight from Auckland to Rarotonga and they use NZ dollars. As a New Zealand protectorate they follow NZ exactly with covid protocol and in fact are even stricter than we are. I am immune compromised and have been 5 times since covid began always confident that they had appropriate treatment. The hospital has antivirals and adrenalin and they have some extremely competent doctors. Although the actual hospital is third world the doctors are not. Because of the reciprocal agreement with NZ they are constantly working with specialists at Auckland Hospital and when they have any doubts send people to NZ. My husband had a heart block while there and was medi-vacced back to NZ. They flew an ICU doctor over to accompany him back. Hope that helps you with your decision.

Bobbie

[Lochy in reply to Manihiki]

Thanks Bobbie. My son is really enjoying Auckland. He only moved out in January but we’ve already had our first trip out, arriving with cyclone Gabriel!!

I haven’t really researched the Cook Islands but I’ll take a look. I might need to speak to health advisers here and see if they have any information. We will spend about a month in NZ and perhaps take a week to one of the islands. All health permitting of course.

[Manihiki]

you can actually come via the Cook Islands if you’re coming through Los Angeles. It really is the nicest and safest islands.

[Janstr]

Hello Loch

I can’t answer your question about whether it’s safe to visit the islands if immuno suppressed, but you should know that the cyclone (hurricane) season in the islands is Nov to April, which is also the rainy season, so Feb may not be the best time to visit.

[Lochy in reply to Janstr]

Hi Janstr, yes I know it’s cyclone season which I’m also giving some thought to. It’s just tricky to coincide visits! Might end up sticking with all the beautiful parts of NZ that are on offer. Thanks