ShariG

My husband & I will be going on an OAT "Inside Vietnam" trip in February and we are not sure whether it is necessary to get a Japanese Encephalitis vaccine. On the CDC website it recommends JE vaccine for both Vietnam & Cambodia if you will be in rural parts of the countries. From the trip description it sounds like we will be rural but just not sure whether or not it's necessary. The vaccine is very expensive and it's required to get 2 shots one month apart per person, so it would cost us $1000.00 for the two of us. If it's a good idea we have no problem getting it, just wondering what other folks have done regarding this immunization. Would love to hear from those of you that have gotten it and also from those that have chosen not to get it!

Thanks so much,
Shari

janetjam

Better to be safe than sorry. If your doctor is saying you should have it, have it. Think of the worst that could happen and then weigh it up against paying the $1000. That is a lot of money though! How long does it last?

Cicerone

I think what the CDC is really talking about is people who are going to be living in a rural area under local conditions. I don’t believe the advice is intended to apply to the average tourist to Vietnam on a guided tour who is staying in tourist class hotels, and using air planes and air con buses. The only “rural area” you are going to on this trip, from what I see of the itin, is possibly Dalat, but even that is not what I would consider truly rural Vietnam. Places like Hue, Hanoi, Halong Bay are not “rural” areas. There is countryside surrounding them that might qualify as rural once you got a good bit out of the city areas, but you are not going to be doing that from what I can see.

If you were going to be volunteering in a program that had you living in a village, working or sleeping outdoors, etc, then you may want to get the injection. I personally travel to Vietnam on a regular basis, and do not, and would not, get an JE injection. However, it is a personal decision.

You might also take a looke at the Scottish NHS travel health website at http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/home.aspx (see esp their Malaria page), the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office also has a good one at http://www.nathnac.org/travel/index.htm

silverwool

As Cicerone says I think its only for people staying for extended periods in rural settings under local conditions. I've never bothered on 5 trips to Cambodia with a reasonable amount of rural exploring. I'd ask OAT what they advise but would not spend $1000 on the very slight off chance! Its probably like government travel advisory warnings - they are covering their butts.

ShariG

Thank-you so much for your responses, I really appreciate your feedback! If anyone has chosen to get the JE vaccine, I would love to hear from you. We are still on the fence. I have an autoimmune disease, and can't take any unnecessary chances, I need to make the best educated decision that I can at this time.

Thanks again,
Shari

sf7307

Shari, with all due respect, how is it going to help you to hear from someone who HAS gotten the vaccination? What are they going to tell you -- they got the shot and they didn't get encephalitis?

KimJapan

I've had the vaccine. It is standard in japan. I had the apparently rare reaction of horrendous headache at the base of my skull. It is a reportable reaction here. Not sure what that anecdotaalbinfo will do for you, thoufgh.

I really think it would be best to consult your doctor. Your doctor is familiar with you and your medical history so is in a much better position to advise you.

Kathie

Go back and re-read the cdc recommendations. They recommend this vaccine only for people who will be in rural areas for 6 weeks or more. Nonetheless, you should consult with your doctor about this since you have other health concerns.

I would never take medical advice from a tour company.

sf7307

<<<I would never take medical advice from a tour company.>>>

Or a travel forum.