Vaccines

[joe84330]

anyone know or have a link to vaccine schedules for children here in Thailand?

not interested in having a heated discussion about autism, or anyone calling someone else a moron for not vaccinating their kids. i'd just like to find out something factual regarding the schedules and requirements so that i can do my own research, thanks.

i've tried getting this information out of nathon hospital and a couple of different clinics but of course no one has any idea what they are doing or what they are injecting. i'd like to think that if i could find out what the actual requirements are, for schooling etc, that i could make a more informed decision regarding a source for the vaccine and an appropriate age for administering it.

[limbos]

Joe, upon birth of our children, they were given a small book which kept track of all required vaccinations and when they needed to be administered, maybe that's a starting point? Each hospital should have these books.

[joe84330]

Joe, upon birth of our children, they were given a small book which kept track of all required vaccinations and when they needed to be administered, maybe that's a starting point? Each hospital should have these books.

grrrrr why the hell didn't they tell me that when i was standing right in front of them to ask? my old lady has a book for each of the kids but she hasn't found anything in any of them regarding a name of a potential disease and a vaccine in relation to it. she's thai btw so reading through them isn't a problem. i don't think it's too much to ask to know what these vaccines are and where they are from considering we are in a part of the world where you can expect practically everything to be fake.

is there anything like the CDC here in thailand, that could be used as a "reputable" source for this kind of information? any of these vaccines that originate in asia are highly suspect as far as i'm concerned.

[joe84330]

lol i've been asking around and some thai lady just told me "oh you need to get waxine for protect when man smoke"

this stupidity is exactly what i'm trying to avoid.

my office manager has just told me that she used to work with a "farang lady" who imported vaccines as she too thought that anything found locally is suspect. this is probably the direction that i'm heading...

[Mario2008]

I will move it to the health forum, as tis topic seems better suited for there.

[Sheryl]

Joe, upon birth of our children, they were given a small book which kept track of all required vaccinations and when they needed to be administered, maybe that's a starting point? Each hospital should have these books.

grrrrr why the hell didn't they tell me that when i was standing right in front of them to ask? my old lady has a book for each of the kids but she hasn't found anything in any of them regarding a name of a potential disease and a vaccine in relation to it. she's thai btw so reading through them isn't a problem. i don't think it's too much to ask to know what these vaccines are and where they are from considering we are in a part of the world where you can expect practically everything to be fake.

is there anything like the CDC here in thailand, that could be used as a "reputable" source for this kind of information? any of these vaccines that originate in asia are highly suspect as far as i'm concerned.

Of course, it is called the Thai Ministry of Public Health. http://eng.moph.go.th/ (the Thai language website has more on it than the english one does)

Thailand's immunization schedule conforms closely to WHO recommendations. This link gives the immunization schedule http://apps.who.int/...esult.cfm?C=tha

Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are not a major problem in Thailand, with the notable exception of a few things prominently marketed to foreign tourists (Viagra etc) which are in fact not legal for over the counter sale in Thailand.

The quality of local pharmaceutical production varies by the manufacturer but in no instance is it as bad as you seem to assume, and there are local pharmaceutical manufacturers (as well as local subsideries of international pharma firms) turning out good quality products.

That said, if you nonetheless feel you want only imported vaccines, this can certainly be done. Just get the vaccination at a private hospital and specify you want an imported vaccine. (For some vaccines, only imports are available whereas for some of the longer-standing ones like DPT there are both imported and locally manufactured brands).

[joe84330]

Joe, upon birth of our children, they were given a small book which kept track of all required vaccinations and when they needed to be administered, maybe that's a starting point? Each hospital should have these books.

grrrrr why the hell didn't they tell me that when i was standing right in front of them to ask? my old lady has a book for each of the kids but she hasn't found anything in any of them regarding a name of a potential disease and a vaccine in relation to it. she's thai btw so reading through them isn't a problem. i don't think it's too much to ask to know what these vaccines are and where they are from considering we are in a part of the world where you can expect practically everything to be fake.

is there anything like the CDC here in thailand, that could be used as a "reputable" source for this kind of information? any of these vaccines that originate in asia are highly suspect as far as i'm concerned.

Of course, it is called the Thai Ministry of Public Health. http://eng.moph.go.th/ (the Thai language website has more on it than the english one does)

Thailand's immunization schedule conforms closely to WHO recommendations. This link gives the immunization schedule http://apps.who.int/...esult.cfm?C=tha

Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are not a major problem in Thailand, with the notable exception of a few things prominently marketed to foreign tourists (Viagra etc) which are in fact not legal for over the counter sale in Thailand.

The quality of local pharmaceutical production varies by the manufacturer but in no instance is it as bad as you seem to assume, and there are local pharmaceutical manufacturers (as well as local subsideries of international pharma firms) turning out good quality products.

That said, if you nonetheless feel you want only imported vaccines, this can certainly be done. Just get the vaccination at a private hospital and specify you want an imported vaccine. (For some vaccines, only imports are available whereas for some of the longer-standing ones like DPT there are both imported and locally manufactured brands).

thanks for the info Sheryl. i forgot about this one once it was moved out of my home forum. will take a look at those links.

[Mario2008]

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[afarang]

My children had the full range of vaccinations in Thailand. I cannot remember what they were ,as my youngest is now 17. However ,the book you got when the child was born, should give you all details,If not, don't worry. The vaccinations are available from any Government Hospital. And are free.( from memory). They do know what they are doing!!!

[parryhandy]

How can I find out what vaccines my children have had and when they will receive vaccines in the future? The wife has lost the books the kids got when they were born . My children are 9 and 10.

[DerekAbroad]

What about recommended vaccines for adults? I'm still in the US, but I'll be in LOS in 3 weeks.Last time I came, 5 years ago, I got Hep B and Yellow Fever (I believe) because I was also travelling to Thailand.

This time I will only be in Thailand, save for visa runs, and primarily in CM. Should I get them in the US, wait until I get to LOS and possibly save some $$, or just not worry about the shots?

What are the suggested/necessary vaccinations/inoculations/etc. for living in LOS? I'm particularly interested in what Sheryl has to say.

Sorry for bumping up an old thread, but I didn't want to start a new thread only to be directed to this one or another similar.

Thanks!

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Derek

You could start here: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/

Which'll lead you to here: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/thailand.htm

Perhaps too much info but interesting to read.

Mac

[Sheryl]

You don't need yellow fever vaccine in Thailand.

Aside from the vaccines that you will certainly already have had, for Thailand I reccomend:

1. Hep A -- depending on your age you may already have had it as it became part of the routine US schedule maybe 10-20 years ago. If not, absolutely get it.

2. Hep B - sounds like you may have already had this., The full series is 3 injections.

3. Human rabies vaccine (pre-exposure) - strongly recommended, lots of rabid dogs here.

These 3 for everyone. If you are going to be in rural areas, Japanese B encephalitis also advisable. Not necessary if you will only be in cities/ towns/beach resorts. the virus is spread by mosquitoes with pigs as the resevoir and is thus prevelant in rural areas where pigs are raised. If your itinerary is say beach resorts, Bkk and CM,no need but if you are going to be living upcountry, very advisable.

Contrary to what some websites will tell you, malaria prophylaxis is not necessary.