Is it absolutely necessary to get vaccines? Can it be taken shortly before going there?
Hi,
I would like to visit Vietnam and Thailand for a month. I could go in two weeks but I read on google that I need Hepatitis A, Hepatis B and Measles-mumps-rubella vaccines. Is it absolutely necessary? Does it need absolutely to be taken many months in advance or is there some quickly acting new vaccines?
I don't want to go to Thailand later than in March because the weather will not be as I wish it to be. So if I don't go in two weeks, it will have to be next January or February and I would go to Europe in May instead.
Thanks,
Richard
Reply to this Hello Renoir 😊
I think a hepatitis A vaccination is necessary. U get the injection and then if u get a booster within 6 months it will protect u for 10 to 20 years. Otherwise it protects for a year (I think. Ask the doctor).
If u had measles, mumps and chicken pox when u were a kid u dont need to be vaccinated because u are already immune. What is the Rubella vaccination for? It is probably also a childhood sickness that u have already had and are therefore immune to.
Hepatitis B is not an easy disease to get unless u are very sexually promiscuous or if u are a drug user who shares needles. However many people choose to get a Hepatitis B vaccination because the vaccine is very effective.
I think u can certainly get the vaccines soon before u go. As far as I was told by the doctor it is better if u get them a few months before u go but they will still be effective if u get them close to your trip. Certainly dont postpone your trip until next January or February. Just get the vaccinations and go.
U also need a polio booster if u have not had one. When u get the booster it will last a lifetime.
U should also get a Typhoid vaccine. It is available in pill or injection form.
Mel
Reply to this Hello Mel,
Thanks for the reply. It is nice to have a list of vaccines. I don't want to get sick.
I see that you have visited Iran. I am impressed! You don't let propaganda stand in your way. I would like to visit Iran too but I have a few other countries to see first.
Richard
Reply to this U are welcome!!!
Iran is actually a good place to travel. Hardly any of those annoying touts u have to put up with in many places. It makes such a difference to be able to walk down the street of an exotic country in peace, unlike how it is in many third world countries. Or course the downside is that there are so many restrictions on what u are allowed to do in Iran and getting the visa can be complicated.
Mel
Reply to this Hepatite A and B can actually be combined in one vaccine, there is a all in one that exists, really convenient! ask your doctor :-) Would really recommend that you do both ... Have a great trip! Vietnam and Thailand are amazing countries, so enjoy!
Reply to this Hi Mell,
Me and my bf have a plan to go to Thailand then Vietnam next may. Would you give info about the weather in both country? Give me other info about malaria decease... I have read from other site that easy to get in Vietnam.
Reply to this Hello Nit Not 😊
The weather during the monsoons is not as bad as many think it is.
I was in Thailand last May and June. Most of the rain fell at night. Sometimes there were a few hours of it during the day but there were still plenty of warm sunshiney hours. Where u can possibly have a problem during the rainy season is getting on an off the islands. Sometimes the boats dont go if the sea is rough. Also the seas can be quite dangerous around Phukett for swimming during the monsoons. Many foreigners drown there every year.
I have never been to Vietnam but maybe somebody who has will post here.
Not all regions in Thailand are a high Malaria risk. For some parts u dont really need Malaria protection.
Look on the website of the World Health Organisation and it will give u information about Malaria regions in Thailand and Vietnam.
The options for protection against Malaria are doxycycline, malarone (atovaquone-proguanil) or Larium (mefloquine). U can probably get them without precription from pharmacies where u are. Doxycycline and Malarone have the fewest side effects. Doxycycline can cause your skin to become sensitive to the sun but it is much cheaper than Malarone. So if u use this option, then plenty of suncream. As far as I remember u have to continue taking Doxycycline for 4 weeks after u leave the malaria region and Malarone for 1 week after.
Mel
Reply to this Hi Mel,
many thanks for your excellent information.
Reply to this 
