Hi, I am going to China for 3 weeks in May and wonder what shots I will need to have. I have been told different things by different people. The Public health dept. suggest certain things. What is really necessary? We will be starting in Beijing and going down the river and ending up in HK and then to BK for 4 days. Any responses greatly appreciated.

You can look at the Center for Disease Control website. Also, if you have a tropical disease clinic where you live (if you live near a university hospital, they will probably have one), make an appointment there. Even if you don't need an immunizations (which you may not), the doctor can prescribe some antibiotics and prescription strength immodium. You will probably also be given some malaria pills which you will need to start taking prior to your trip. We had several immunizations for a trip to Nepal - then changed our minds and went to China instead - so, we were fully immunized for wherever we ended up. You need to go now. Some of the shots - like Hep A, I think have to be done months in advance. But, again - our original destination was Nepal, so I'm not sure if that would even apply to you. Have a grea trip, Lizz.<BR>

We are also going to China next month. Our tour company recommended typhoid and hepatitis A. Along with being sure that all other immunizations are up-to-date. Unless you are coming from a yellow fever area you don't have to have any immunizations--I think that's why you are getting different information from different sources. If you decide to get the typhoid we had a 1 dose injectable--the oral is impossible to get ahold of. The Hepatitis A is given in 2 doses 6 months apart. For malaria it depends on where you'll be going. The suggestion of working with a travel clinic is a very good one. They seem to have the most up-to-date advice--your primary care physician may have to do as much research as your doing.<BR>Enjoy your trip!

We're hoping to go to Beijing this spring also. We contacted our county health department, which had a travel office within. They printed us a report of the vaccinations suggested and/or required. For Beijing, we got the hepatitis A shot, which takes 2-4 weeks to take effect, and a tetanus-diptheria booster, which takes effect immediately and is good for 10 years. The hepatitis A is good for 1 year, unless you get the 2nd shot(suggested in a previous email) within 1 year - then it should be good for life.

Good advice about the shots. GET THEM. I fell and skinned by knee and they didn't want to give me an icepack to control the swelling because they did not want my open skin to come into contact with the melting ice. Makes you wonder doesn't it!! Glad I had a tetanus booster before I went.