Vaccinations Required For Thailand

[WilliamIV]

I would be grateful if someone can give me the URL to the

UK Gvt website giving Vaccination recommendations.

Friends of mine in UK including a 3 year old have asked me for advice

Bill

[patricktan]

Hi William hope this web will help you fine the answer you want. http://www.travelhealth.co.uk/

[happymanme]

william,why dont these friends just ring their local gp and ask.

then they can book them selves in for the shots.

it does depend on where in thailand they are going eg maleria is rife in some places at the moment.....

hope this helps

allan

[Diggerbasher]

Does anyone already living here bother with any jabs?

I think there is probably more chance of being shot by a drunk cop/jealous boyfriend.

[Tyree D.]

I have never gotten any shots. Doctors just say you need them so they can make money.

[seanocasey]

Thailand (including Phuket and Ko Samui) (Asia)

IMMUNISATIONS AND MALARIA ADVICE FOR YOUR SPECIFIED DESTINATION

UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office safety advice.

You must discuss your own particular needs and contraindications to vaccines or tablets with your doctor or practice nurse. Advice can change so check again for future visits.

Ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including repatriation. The ‘T6’ leaflet (from Post Offices) gives details of health care agreements between countries and an application form for care within EC countries, which must be completed before departure.

Click on a Topic Below

Immunisations | Malaria

Immunisations

Confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain - including vaccines given to special groups because of risk exposure or complications (e.g. hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly).

Courses or boosters usually advised: diphtheria; tetanus; poliomyelitis; hepatitis A; typhoid.

Vaccines sometimes advised: tuberculosis; rabies; Japanese B encephalitis; hepatitis B.

Yellow fever certificate required if over 1 year old and entering from an infected area

NOTES ON THE DISEASES MENTIONED ABOVE

Tetanus is contracted through dirty cuts and scratches and poliomyelitis spread through contaminated food and water. They are serious infections of the nervous system.

Typhoid and hepatitis A are spread through contaminated food and water. Typhoid causes septicaemia and hepatitis A causes liver inflammation and jaundice. In risk areas you should be immunised if good hygiene is impossible.

Tuberculosis is most commonly transmitted via droplet infection. Those going to countries where it is common, especially those mixing closely with the local population and those at occupational risk, e.g. health care workers, should ensure that they have previously been immunised. Check with your doctor or nurse.

Diphtheria is also spread by droplet infection through close personal contact. Vaccination is advised if close contact with locals in risk areas is likely.

Hepatitis B is spread through infected blood, contaminated needles and sexual intercourse, It affects the liver, causes jaundice and occasionally liver failure. Those visiting high risk areas for long periods or at social or occupational risk should be immunised.

Japanese B encephalitis is spread by mosquitoes. It is a serious infection of the brain and vaccination is advised for those in risk areas unable to avoid mosquito bites, staying for long periods (e.g. more than 4 weeks) or visiting rural areas.

Rabies is spread through bites or licks on broken skin from an infected animal. It is always fatal. Vaccination is advised for those going to risk areas that will be remote from a reliable source of vaccine. Even when pre-exposure vaccines have been received urgent medical advice should be sought after any animal bite.

Malaria

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes. You cannot be vaccinated against malaria.

MALARIA PRECAUTIONS

Malaria precautions are essential in Ko Chang and along the borders of Laos Cambodia and Myanmar, all year round. (There is very little risk in cities and main tourist areas such as Phuket, Pattaya, Bangkok, Changmai, the river Quai bridge area and offshore islands except Ko Chang) (Go to Malaria Map).

Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.

Check with your doctor or nurse about suitable antimalarial tablets.

Prophylaxis: Since mefloquine resistance is now common, doxycycline or Malarone is usually advised for those visiting the borders with Cambodia (including the island of Ko Chang), Myanmar and Laos.

Prompt investigation of fever is essential. If travelling to remote areas, a course of emergency 'standby' treatment should be carried.

http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/

[alex100]

HEALTH

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.

There are excellent international hospitals in Bangkok but they can be expensive. Ordinary hospitals and clinics in Thailand are not always up to UK standards. This applies particularly to the coastal islands and many mainland districts outside of Bangkok, where hospitals and clinics are not equipped to deal with major trauma. Many hospitals require the authorisation of next of kin to perform operations on patients and guarantee of payment for the hospital bills from immediate next of kin. The Embassy cannot authorise doctors to carry out operations, nor can they guarantee payment of hospital bills. Travellers are advised to complete next of kin details in the back of their passports.

Avian Influenza

Since January 2004, there have been over 50 human deaths in Asia confirmed as resulting from Avian Influenza (also known as Avian Flu and Bird Flu). The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported on the possibility of a human flu pandemic following this outbreak. Further information and advice is provided in the Avian influenza factsheet on the FCO website.

Dengue Fever

Since January 2005 the number of reported cases in Thailand and in particular Southern Thailand has increased sharply. There have been a total of more than 8,900 cases reported in the period from January – May, with 17 deaths. The Thai Ministry of Public Health issued a nationwide dengue epidemic alert on 9 May. The rainy season - the peak season for Dengue Fever - has now started in Thailand. You should be aware of the risk, and take preventative measures to avoid being bitten by the Aedes mosquito which transmits the dengue virus. Symptoms include sudden high fever, a rash, aching muscles and joints, and severe headaches and backaches. There is no specific treatment for Dengue Fever beyond bedrest and plenty of fluids. In a very small number of cases this can develop into the more severe dengue haemorrhagic fever, the symptoms for which include bleeding and sometimes shock. This form of Dengue Fever can be fatal if left untreated. If you suffer from a fever whilst (or shortly after) visiting Thailand, you should consult a doctor. Detailed information about dengue fever is available on the WHO website: http://www.who.int/topics/dengue/en/.

HIV / AIDS

Thailand has an epidemic of HIV infection and AIDS. Heterosexual transmission accounts for most HIV infections and HIV is common among prostitutes of both sexes.

For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at: www.dh.gov.uk.

This is from the FCO goverment web site

[meom]

Does anyone already living here bother with any jabs?

I think there is probably more chance of being shot by a drunk cop/jealous boyfriend.

Never took any shots except one time when I felt an itch on my di*k; dipping it in a glass of Mekong took care of that though

[BrissyBoy]

Typhoid and Hepatitus A & B are the only vac's I would worry about personally. Hep is a disease that attacks the liver. A is transmitted by food and B by blood. It is highly infecteous.

HIV/AIDS - well you should use a condom.

Malaria - Transmitted by mosquitos. I have heard that not all strains are covered by vac's. So even if you get vaccinated you may not be covered. Try an anti mosquito cream with deet. Wear long clothing

Dengue Fever. - Don't think there is any vac. But there is a lot of recently reported cases. Especially in pattaya. As for malaria a good insect cream with deet will get rid of the mosquitoes. Wear long clothing

As previously stated always get travel insurance.

Hope this helps.

[The Dan Sai Kid]

Typhoid and Hepatitus A & B are the only vac's I would worry about personally.  Hep is a disease that attacks the liver.  A is transmitted by food and B by blood.  It is highly infecteous.

HIV/AIDS - well you should use a condom.

Malaria - Transmitted by mosquitos.  I have heard that not all strains are covered by vac's.  So even if you get vaccinated you may not be covered.  Try an anti mosquito cream with deet.  Wear long clothing

Dengue Fever. - Don't think there is any vac.  But there is a lot of recently reported cases.  Especially in pattaya.  As for malaria a good insect cream with deet will get rid of the mosquitoes.  Wear long clothing

As previously stated always get travel insurance.

Hope this helps.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Has anyone ever tried anti-malarial medication? I was on larium, and kept getting really vivid nightmares and terrible paranoia - I was advised to stop taking it. If I feel ill I just see a doctor. IMHO these jabs are a waste of money.

At least though Thai hospitals are pretty clean - which is more than you can say for the MRSA riddled UK hospitals.

Edited July 10, 2005 by Grant

[WilliamIV]

Many Thanks to all members who responded to my

request for help.

Bill