Your IPSA Medical vaccine specialist will assess your current vaccine status, and determine what vaccines you will require given whereabouts in East Asia you plan to go, the length of your stay and what you will be doing whilst there. Your IPSA Medical vaccine specialist will also discuss country-specific medications (such as anti-malarial medications) that you might want to consider taking with you to East Asia.
All travellers going to East Asia
First, your IPSA Medical vaccine specialist will want to ensure you are up to date with routine vaccinations and you may also need to get some extra vaccinations, which he/she will advise you on during your vaccine consultation.
What routine vaccines will I need to have?
- Typhoid
- Japanese encephalitis
- Hepatitis A
- Tetanus, diphtheria and polio
What vaccines are recommended for most travellers to East Asia?
East Asia holds a risk for hepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and Japanese encephalitis.
Hepatitis A: The CDC recommends the hepatitis A vaccine, as, no matter where you plan to stay or what you plan to eat, hepatitis A can be contracted through contaminated food and water when you are in East Asia.
Typhoid: The CDC recommends the typhoid vaccine as typhoid can be contracted through contaminated food and water, especially if you are slightly more adventurous with your diet, are visiting smaller East Asian cities, or staying with friends/relatives.
Tetanus, diphtheria and polio: This triple vaccine protects against all three health issues. Diphtheria is transmitted via personal contact, respiratory droplets and contaminated bed linen, clothing etc. Tetanus spores live in the soil and tetanus is caused by contaminated wounds. Polio is transmitted via the oral or faecal/oral route.
Japanese encephalitis: Japanese encephalitis is mosquito-borne viral infection that can cause a swelling of the brain leading to permanent brain damage, disability and even death. Initially, flu-like symptoms may occur, and this can progress to brain swelling with symptoms such as confusion, a high fever, convulsions, neck stiffness and then paralysis.
What vaccines should some travellers to East Asia have?
When you are at your IPSA Medical vaccine consultation, your IPSA Medical specialist will run through with you what medicines/vaccines you will need for your East Asia trip based on the duration of your intended visit, where you plan to go, what you plan to do when in the country, and also if you are travelling to East Asia from outside of Britain. As East Asia has different vaccine requirements for each country, additional vaccines may also be required, such as cholera and rabies, depending on which East Asian countries you intend to visit. Your IPSA Medical physician will discuss this with you during your vaccine consultation.
Hepatitis B: You can contract hepatitis B from blood/blood products, sexual contacts or from contaminated needles. If you are planning on having sex with a new sexual partner, getting a tattoo/piercing or undergoing certain medical treatments/procedures then the hepatitis B vaccine is recommended.
Rabies: Rabies is found in dogs, bats and other mammals in East Asia. You should have the rabies vaccine if you are in any way at risk from animal bites during your stay:
- Are you going to be involved in outdoor/other activities (biking, caving, camping, hiking, adventure travel)?
- Will you be working around and/or directly with animals (e.g. researchers, vets, wildlife professionals)?
- Are you taking a long trip or moving permanently to the country?
- Are you more likely to receive neck/head animal bites (e.g. children)?
Cholera: Cholera, a potentially fatal small-intestine infection causing acute diarrhoea/vomiting, can lead to dehydration/electrolyte imbalance. Cholera occurs in areas with poor sanitation, poor water and poor food hygiene.
For your same-day IPSA Medical vaccination consultation, call your nearest IPSA Medical clinic or make your booking online.
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