Moving to Thailand- what vaccinations do I need?

[notasmartassknowitallfarag]

I got lots of vaccinations 10 years ago so its definitely time for a new dosage.

 

What are the non negotiable ones? 

 

Also, are there any that can slightly lessen the chance of food poisoning which I seem to get all the time in Thailand. 

[RichCor]

For most standard tourists the usual recommended vaccinations for Thailand include: Cover against the childhood diseases (Tetanus and Diphtheria, Measles, Mumps and Rubella) as well as cover against the food borne diseases of Typhoid and Hepatitis A.   

 

The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccines for Thailand: typhoid, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, cholera, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, and influenza.

 

BCG vaccination against TB probably lasts for life and booster are never given.

Diphtheria, Polio and Tetanus usually are covered in as a combined booster, which last 10 years.

Hepatitis A (as viatim, hepatyrix or havrix mono) gives for protection for up to 1 year. If a booster dose is given 6 months to 1 year after the 1st dose, protection will last 10 years. Hepatitis B vaccination, if given over 6 months, lasts about 5 years.

Meningitis A+C (meningivac) last between 3 and 5 years. (This is different from the vaccine used at school and in college for protection against meningitis strain C, which gives much longer protection.) 
Rabies vaccination, if 3 doses are received, lasts between 2 and 5 years.
Typhoid (as vaccine typhim vi, viatim or hepatyrix) last 3 years.
Yellow Fever lasts 10 years.

 

In Thailand, mosquitoes are responsible for spreading dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, lymphatic filariasis, and malaria.

Dengue Fever: This is prevalent in urban areas and cities such as Bangkok. Symptoms of this virus are typically a mild to severe fever, flu-like symptoms, eye pain, and a body rash.
Japanese Encephalitis: This disease is common in more rural areas, particularly those that engage in pig farming. This virus affects the lungs and nervous system. Symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, and confusion.
Lymphatic Filariasis: This is common in urban and semi-urban areas. After being bitten by an infected mosquito, parasites attack the lymph nodes. This causes profound swelling, skin thickening and disfiguring, particularly in the lower extremities. 
Malaria: This is sometimes present in the rural areas that border Thailand’s neighboring countries of Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Symptoms of this parasitic disease include cycles of high fever, chills, sweating, and body aches.

Recommended Vaccines for Thailand

VACCINE	HOW DISEASE SPREADS
Typhoid	Contaminated Food or Water
Hepatitis A	Contaminated Food or Water
Hepatitis B	Contaminated Body Fluids (Sex, needles, etc.)
Cholera	Contaminated Food or Water
Rabies	Infected Animals
Japanese Encephalitis	Mosquito-borne
Influenza	Airborne Droplets

Sources: CDC, WHO and ISTM.

 

VACCINATION LIST	REQUIRED/ RECOMMENDED	ALL TRAVELLERS	TREKKING	RURAL
YELLOW FEVER	—	—	—	—
TETANUS	—	Tetanus	—	—
DIPHTHERIA	—	—	—	—
HEPATITIS A	—	Hepatitis A	—	—
TYPHOID	—	Typhoid	—	—
HEPATITIS B	—	—	Hepatitis B	—
RABIES	—	—	Rabies	—
MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS	—	—	—	Meningococcal Meningitis
POLIOMYELITIS	—	—	—	—
CHOLERA	—	—	—	—
TUBERCULOSIS	—	—	—	Tuberculosis
TICK BORNE ENCEPHALITIS	—	—	—	—
JAPANESE B ENCEPHALITIS	—	—	—	Japanese B Encephalitis
MALARIA	W.H.O. report malaria transmission in this country in certain areas. Prophylaxis may be recommended in some circumstances. Please consult your Doctor or Travel Clinic.

[Sheryl]

I would personally not bother with typhoid, the vaccine is not very effective and typhoid is no longer very common in Thailand.

 

Pre-exposure rabies vaccine, definitely.

 

Hep B, if there is any possibility you will be having sex with locals, very important. Hep A if you have not already had it (most people under say 50 will have gotten it as children).

 

Japanese B encephalitis if you will be living in or traveling to rural areas.