We are going to be in Bangkok for 5 days then going on to Bali. We will be staying at an upscale resort there (Four Seasons). I am getting conflicting opinions regarding getting shots. The international travel website says you do not need any immunizations for Bangkok or Bali (in the resort areas). One set of friends say they have traveled all over Asia and never gotten shots and another couple say they always do. What do you advise?

It's a personal decision, but the risk you're exposing yourself to is very low. Depending on where you live and where you eat regularly, the risk may not be higher than if you're staying at home.

But doesn't mean it's a bad idea to get the various shots anyways.

Do read the cdc recommendations: www.cdc.gov/travel

While no immunizations are required, it is wise to have up-to-date routine immunizations (the ones you should have even if you are staying home) such as tetanus.


Routine travel vaccines such as Hep A are wise (after all, you can get Hepatitis from food and water contamination even in the US, Canada and western Europe). Typhoid, another food and water borne illness is also advised for the tropics. Also, if you don't have immunity to "childhood" illnesses such as measles, mumps are rubella, do get a booster shot. These diseases are endemic in third word countries and are serious illnesses when contracted as an adult.

It's your decision. Do your research on it and make your decision based on that info and perhaps a consultation with your doctor.

Personally, I make sure all of my immunizations are up to date. Perhaps it comes from working in healthcare for decades.

kathie is the expert on this board....follow her advice

Low risk, but if you're a neurotic you might as well get the whole set of shots to avoid plaguing(sorry) yourself with worry.

We had a similar question - going to Singapore and Bali. We decided to get our "jabs" to be on the safe side. Some of those illnesses are pretty serious.

Very funny mango7 ! I love a good pun.

Most of the immunizations for Thailand seem to be similar to the ones we have gotten for other trips - Hep A and B, typhoid, yellow fever, tetnus. The ones that stood out as different (and we tend to go ahead and get the recommended ones) are polio and japanese encephalitis. So next week I start the series for the latter.

I also recall reading on one of these threads that Cipro is no longer the antibiotic of choice for dealing with tummy issues - that a Z pack is what is recommended so I will get the doc to give me a scrip for that. I just figure that I'd rather be safe than sorry and I have never had a problem getting the immunizations.

jscale, I don't remember what your itinerary is, but the JE vaccination is recommended only for those who will be in rural farming areas for one month or longer (some sources say 6 weeks). It's rare for a traveler to have that kind of itonerary, but those volunteering in farming areas would need the vaccine.

Polio is a good idea simply beacuse it still exists "in the wild" in several areas of Africa and India and people traveling from place to place have caused outbreaks in recent years in Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.

I am starting my Hep A and B combo series tomorrow for a trip in December. I've been reading on the malaria drugs and it appears that Malarone is the drug of choice? If one is being cautious, any recommendations as what other things to take? A Z pack and over the counter things? Suggestions are welcomed as I have a husband who likes to travel with a well supplied suitcase, ready for anything.

There is no one best antimalarial. The choice of the best antimalarial for you depends on your medical history, where you are going, and the length of time you'll be exposed. That said, in some parts of SE Asia only Doxycycline and malarone are effective. Malarone is liked by many as it has the fewest side effects and only needs to be taken for a week after leaving the malarial risk area. Talk with your doctor about which one is best for you. By the way, many areas of SE are not considered malarial risk.

Its better to be prepared so it won't kill your trip. There's nothing worse than getting sick and having to stay in bed or hospital because you got caught up into really enjoying yourself (not caring! My wife ate raw crab one day in BKK--And we talked about not doing this in the past, but she was so happy to eat it again she said"Mai pen rai". 12 hours later in the ER on an IV drip looking sheepish!
The next day was a wash out too! Since you're investing allot of $ in the trip better be safe. Best of luck!

Kurt

Thank you all for your input. I contacted my health care provider and they mentioned the Hep A shots as well. It is done over a 6 month period but she said that it is good to still get one of the shots (we leave in 3 months) then get the second shot later because there is some immunity buildup just from one shot. It is a once in a lifetime immunization. We already made arrangements with our doctor to get some antibiotics to take with us. Now we just have to remember when we had those tetanus shots??