SE Asia - Vaccinations

dunedinblue

Hi, Im am heading off travelling to SE Asia next month for 8 weeks. What vaccinations do I need to get? I know I am leaving it late so what ones are necessary and what ones can I avoid? Also what is the best type of Malaria tablets I should go for?

Vim Fuego

We're doing 6 months+ around SE Asia now.

The vaccines we got are:

Rabies (you could possibly skip this, consult your doctor)
Tetanus Diphtheria
Hep A & B
& possibly a few more.

Best thing is to talk to your doctor. If they're any good, they should ask you what you're planning to do while travelling. For instance, if you're planning to volunteer in the countryside, you should get vaccinated for tuberculosis perhaps. If you're planning to meet some Asian ladies, they'll suggest one or all of the Hep vaccines.

We're using doxycycline for malaria, you might be able to use Malaron for a shorter stay. They have less side effects but cost more. You need to keep taking doxy 4 weeks after you go home.

The TMB website is pretty good for info: http://www.tmb.ie

Here's the suggested vaccines for Laos:

Your Destinations
LAOS (country profile)

Recommended For All Travellers
Tetanus
Typhoid
Hepatitis A

Trekking
Hepatitis B
Rabies

Rural
Tuberculosis
Diphtheria
Japanese B Encephalitis
Meningococcal Meningitis

Whitehawk

Japanese B Encephalitis cant be got at the mo there not enough been made so im told

its up to you about the malaria tablets, im a fan of the 4euro ones per tablet, most expensice but best out of a bad lot if you ask me. [dont ask me what there called! i just know there 4euros over here in ireland!]

Yellow fever is also something you may need if you going to LAOS

im going to asia and this is what i have taken

Yellow fever is a deffo for Brazil/LAOS
malaria tablets!! 4 euros ones
Hep A + B
rabies
cholera (now can be taken in a 2 course drink)
typhoid and Tetanus

Todd Gack

Whitehawk wrote: »

Yellow fever is a deffo for Brazil/LAOS

There's no yellow fever in Asia, Laos only requires a cert if arriving from an endemic country but there's no risk in the country itself, 90% of cases are in Africa

blocparty

i got the two in one and 3 in one vaccination. best to go to your doctor to be sure

if your in cork, go to der moloney on patrick street, he specialises in travel vaccinations.

im getting malaron for malaria, im going to dubai, kerala, kulala lumpur, bangkok, saigon, macau, and taiwan

it really depends on where your going

vill@in

Hey all. Im doing a similar length of trip myself in the New Year. Have an appointment to see my doctor on Monday and chat thru the details, but what can I expect to pay for standard set of vaccinations for Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam?

Also, whats the cost of a 3 month supply of malaria tables likely to cost?

Cheers in advance, and sorry to hijack the thread slightly...

darrenh

vill@in wrote: »

Hey all. Im doing a similar length of trip myself in the New Year. Have an appointment to see my doctor on Monday and chat thru the details, but what can I expect to pay for standard set of vaccinations for Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam?

Also, whats the cost of a 3 month supply of malaria tables likely to cost?

Cheers in advance, and sorry to hijack the thread slightly...

I doubt you'll need 3 months supply for SE Asia. I brought Malron with me but never took them. To be honest most people didnt, more so out of laziness than anything. You only have to pay €120 per month on medication in Ireland. So if you Malron come to €300 it will still only cost €120. Ask your chemist for details. Its just a simple form to fill in.

Another piece of advice is that Boards is not the best place to be asking medical advice!!!

dory

Also, some pharmacies won't put Malrone on that medical scheme as its seen to be a holiady medication, not something necessary.

I think the vaccinations come in around €300, but I could be wrong. I haven't got them in a while now.

beagle001

Just get the 3-1 injection and no need for anything else.
Laos is fine no yellow fever and no need for malaria tablets it's dengue that you have to watch out for on Asia,nothing you can do but spray down and use a net if your in the bungalows.

DeadMoney

Haha I love hearing people before they go to SE Asia and sound like they are going in to the jungle for a few months on some sort of survival mission. Get the main shots your doctor recommends and pick up a few malaria tablets if you are going to Laois or one of the few malaria zones in Thailand (which are very few assuming you are sticking to the trail). I or any of my friends scrapped the malaria tablets after the first few days as we were all feeling sick after taking them. The whole malaria and shot thing is soooo blown out of proportion and imo a way of making money for many doctors, especially those 'travel clinics'. See your GP and they will tell you what you need and what you can get away with not getting. Also wait until you arrive there before buying stuff like imodium, and motilium as it is soooo much cheaper in pharmacy's there. Yes they have pharmacy's there too I'm was pretty pissed off when I arrived in Thailand and saw how much money I was after wasting on pharmacy stuff when I saw how cheap I could get the exact same stuff there and when you compare the relativity of the money when it is transferred to Baht and how much it can get you, its even worse.

vill@in

I have seen the error of my ways!

Was in with my doc today and he talked me thru everythin. He said a couple of his own kids had been away so he especially knew what he was talkin about! Gonna get the jabs a month before I go, and he said I dont need to worry about malaria tabs for Thailand- just Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam. Wasn't particularly concerned but its nice to get the reassurance!