What Jags/vaccinations Should I Get?

[Enjibenji]

Hi,

Just wondering if there are any vaccinations/jags I should get before I come to Bangkok?

I'm staying for a few months only, but just want to be careful.

I live in UK, so I am able to get them before I come. My friend who is going to another part of Thailand (a poorer part) has had something like 10 vaccinations.

Thanks for your help

[nidge]

There are not many areas in Thailand poorer than where i live and i never get any vaccinations. I was recommended a few when i told my doctor that i was going to move here but i never bothered. The only time i ever get sick is when i go back to England to visit my parents!

Edited August 18, 2008 by nidge

[Enjibenji]

There are not many areas in Thailand poorer than where i live and i never get any vaccinations. I was recommended a few when i told my doctor that i was going to move here but i never bothered. The only time i ever get sick is when i go back to England to visit my parents!

thanks very much for the reply

the end of your post did make me laugh

so, I shouldn't bother getting hep B vaccinations or anything?

[nidge]

If they are free and there are no side effects then there is no point in saying no. I think that you have to pay for all vaccinations right? In my opinion the reason these injections are recommended is purely financial.

[Enjibenji]

Pay for injections? I'm just 18, thought I could go to my GP and ask her for the vaccinations (off the NHS).

No bother then, no jags

1 less thing off my shoulders.

[Ijustwannateach]

I'd suggest getting immunised for Hepatitis A and B- they're pretty widespread in Thailand (and Asia at large).

[Carib]

Hep A + B , never hurts to have done, maybe throw in a C too, but you have to this some time before visiting. Some need a repeat( booster) within a few weeks. Cannot remember which one that was.

Look it up on the Internet and decide what you think OK for you.

[sweetchariot]

No you don't want any Jags - the import duty is a killer (ask Prescott).

When I first came here on holiday I was recommended all sorts of vaccinations, and had to pay on the NHS. This was about 6 years ago now, and I've been living here quite happily for the last 3 years with no vaccinations.

I tend to agree with Nidge that these recommendations seem to be financially motivated, they will even recommend a few for a trip to Mallorca these days.

[Enjibenji]

I'll ask about hep A jag then, I can get that free on the NHS here in the UK from my GP. Hep B I have to pay for, so I won't bother. Thanks for the point about the financial side of it, didn't know that I had to pay for hep B vaccination.

thanks again for the answers

Edited August 19, 2008 by Enjibenji

[sweetchariot]

The opening comment in my last post was somewhat tongue in cheek.

You want jabs, not jags. Jags are cars that old people drive - Prescott had 2!

[Patsycat]

I'd get a tetanus one too. They last for 10 years, i think.

[sweetchariot]

I'd get a tetanus one too. They last for 10 years, i think.

He'd of had one of them in school, which he's only just finished

[Enjibenji]

I'd get a tetanus one too. They last for 10 years, i think.

He'd of had one of them in school, which he's only just finished

Actually, I can't remember if I have ever had a tetanus..

unless I had one when I was a child.. I think the only jags/jabs( ) i got in school were... BCG for tuberculousis(sp?) and meningitis. I just read that you get a tetanus vaccination called DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis) when you are a baby/child?

Have i had a tetanus vaccination within the last 10 years...

[Sheryl]

You will have had tetanus vaccination as a child, it is part of DPT.

A booster is always a good idea but not any more needed for Thailand than when you are at home. The other approach is to just get a booster if you get a puncture wound or other injury.

Specific to Thailand:

1) Hepatitis A for sure if you haven't already had it. Actually a good idea even if you are staying home.

2) Hepatitis B if there is any possibility you will be having sexual contact with locals while here or using intravenous drugs. If you are sure that neither will occur then you could consider skipping it (altho there will remain a small risk should you require blood transfusion while here)

3) Human rabies vaccine - there is a very high incidence of rabies here, and you will otherwise have to undergo a long and painful series of injections if bitten by a dog.