South East Asia Travel Vaccines

Your IPSA Medical vaccine specialist will assess your current vaccine status, and determine what vaccines you will require given whereabouts in South 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 medication) that you might want to consider taking with you to South East Asia.

All travellers going to South 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?

What vaccines are recommended for most travellers to South East Asia?

South East Asia holds a risk for hepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria and polio.
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 South 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 South 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.

What vaccines should some travellers to South 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 South 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 South East Asia from outside of Britain. In addition to hepatitis A, typhoid, diphtheria, tetanus and polio, the following vaccinations may be required. As South East Asia has different vaccine requirements for each country, additional vaccines may also be required, such as cholera, alongside anti-malarial medications, depending on which South 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 South East Asia. You should have the rabies vaccine if you are in any way at risk from animal bites during your stay:

Yellow fever: Certain countries in South East Asia have a high yellow fever risk. Yellow Fever is serious and sometimes fatal. It is caused by a mosquito-borne virus. It occurs in both urban and jungle environments and is especially common during the rainy season.
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.
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.
For your same-day IPSA Medical vaccination consultation, call your nearest IPSA Medical clinic or make your booking online.