Hepatitis A and B vaccines - Korea

I am going to South Korea next month and wondered if it's really worth getting these vaccinations (am living abroad atm and am completely broke). From what I understand, Hep A mainly occurs in developing countries and Hep B is spread through infected blood, so surely I have the same chance of getting it here as I do there? I don't inject drugs and I won't be having sex with strange men.

alansweeney100

I spent three weeks in South Korea couple of years ago and I was fine, no vaccinations. I travelled around the entire country too, didn't just stay in Seoul, my guess is you'll be fine although I'm sure someone on here will have a scare story for you.

Fratton Fred

I've been on holiday loads of times and never needed to use my travel insurance.......

breadmonkey

Being slightly more broke is better than having Hep A/B. I don't see any reason to gamble with your health.

Yeah but as I said, isn't there as much chance of getting Hep B here as in Korea? I do intend to get the vaccine at some point, but I don't think I need it just because I'm going there. Unless I'm missing something. When I say broke, I really mean broke, as in I'm eating dry bread for dinner. I'd cancel the trip but the flights are non-refundable. It's more the Hep A I'm worried about, although thought it was rare in developed countries like Korea?

breadmonkey

[quote=[Deleted User];59251171]Yeah but as I said, isn't there as much chance of getting Hep B here as in Korea? I do intend to get the vaccine at some point, but I don't think I need it just because I'm going there. Unless I'm missing something. When I say broke, I really mean broke, as in I'm eating dry bread for dinner. I'd cancel the trip but the flights are non-refundable. It's more the Hep A I'm worried about, although thought it was rare in developed countries like Korea?[/QUOTE]

Dry bread for dinner?! You must have money set aside for your trip and I think a few quid of that pool could be spent on the vaccines. Twinrix is a Hep A and Hep B in one vaccine (though it was two shots at least iirc).

Nope. I was depending on money that didn't come through, long story. My BF had to cover some of the flight. I'll ring about the vaccs tomorrow and see what the story is. I think it might be cheaper here in Belgium than at home.

breadmonkey

I see. How are you going to support your travels in Korea with no money?!

Don't see how this is relevant to the question, but I'm not 'travelling' in Korea. I'll be seeing my boyfriend who lives there and hanging around with him most of the time. I won't really need any spending money except for the odd meal out or couple of drinks.

jum4

I didnt when I was there, only realized it was advised was when reading it on lonley planet on the way there!

FYI hep a is easily spread through contaminated food and water