thanks for all the time and effort you put into researching that for me Russ! I really appreciate it! I have until tomorrow morning to make up my mind.....I went in and read the ingredients myself - there is no thimerosal and no mercury,but there definitely is aluminum, which is quite scary.

Sharon and Russ - the shot is NOT required, there are no requirements before traveling there. It's just highly recommended because hep a is extremely widespread and easy to get there. But I'm so scared of putting the aluminum in my system. My fiance got the shot and was fine - but he is healthy and is obviously able to excrete metals, while I am not. I also don't want to have to worry about getting sick from anything I eat the entire month I am there.....or ruin my entire trip from getting sick the whole time. But more importantly, I don't want to have the shot mess me up permanantly!!!

Thanks again for the concern and thoughts on this. I'll let you all know what I decide!

~Tia

ps - i understand and appreciate the concern some of you have posted about....but is it possible to give a suggestion or advice without beating someone over the head with it? i really do appreciate the input and concern....but i think we could be less forceful about it sometimes. and no i am not crazy, and no i do not have a choice about being mercury toxic - i already am. i don't want to make it worse, which is why i am considering it so carefully...