Hello, what shots are recommended for westerners when traveling to Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam?

Thanks!

you should really consult a travel doctor or clinic....most universities clinics and teaching hospitals have them....also check the CDC website...

you need to be up to date generally on all normal shots..

polo is one that is often forgotten
hep A and B are suggested, esp A
tetnus
typhoid, etc

depending on where and when you are going malaria pills may also be necessary...

As Bob suggested your travel doctor should be able to tell you all you need to know.

In my consultation with my travel doctor, based on my allergies etc. she suggested a HepA (or is it B?) and tetanus shot. I also have to pick up anti-malaria and diarrhea pills.

Take a look at www.cdc.gov/travel

It gives you all of the basic info about what is advised in terms of vaccines and anti-malarials.

Here is a brief summary which is in no way meant to substitute for a visit to a travel med doc:

Make sure you are up to date on routine vaccines: tetanus, measles/mumps/rubella. Polio is not currently recommended for SE Asia, but it is for India and parts of Africa. if you travel a lot, just get it at the same time.

Traveler's vaccines: Hep A (which you should probably have to stay at home) and Hep B if you'll be spending a lot of time there (so you might need medical care) or if you might get "very friendly" with the locals. It's blood-bourne and can be sexually transmitted. Often, people get the combined Hep A & B. Typhoid is also recommended.

Check the info on the specific areas in which you will be traveling for malaria info.

Others recommended in some instances: Japanese Enchaliphitis, rabies

Check your county's health department. They often have a travel section.

I took the Typhoid oral vaccine two years ago in November. Does anyone know how long this vaccine stays in your system? I was on the CDC site but I wasn't quite sure that I was reading the chart correctly. I figured some of you might know off hand?

I'm reading more about Japanese Enchaliphitis. The CDC site does say you run the risk in Vietnam, but how risky is this? It's kinda vague on the CDC site.

Has anyone read about cases of this occuring after visiting Northern Vietnam, Hanoi, Halong Bay and Red River Delta?

Seems pretty straightforward to me.


Travelers: Japanese encephalitis vaccine is NOT recommended for all travelers to Asia. In general, vaccine should be offered to persons spending a month or longer in endemic areas during the trans-mission season, especially if travel will include rural areas. Under specific circumstances, vaccine should be considered for persons spending <30 days in endemic areas, e.g., travelers to areas experiencing epidemic transmission and persons whose activities, such as extensive outdoor activities in rural areas, place them at high risk for exposure. In all instances, travelers should be advised to take personal precautions; e.g., to reduce exposure to mosquito bites. The decision to use Japanese encephalitis vaccine should balance the risks for exposure to the virus (see table; see map) and for developing illness, the availability and acceptability of repellents and other alternative protective measures, and the side effects of vaccination. Risk assessments should be interpreted cautiously (see table; see map) since risk can vary within areas and from year to year and available data are incomplete. Estimates suggest that risk of Japanese encephalitis in highly endemic areas during the transmission season can reach 1 per 5,000 per month of exposure; risk for most short-term travelers may be 1 per million. Although Japanese encephalitis vaccine is reactogenic, rates of serious allergic reactions (generalized urticaria or angioedema) are low (1 to 104 per 10,000). Advanced age may be a risk factor for developing symptomatic illness after infection. Japanese encephalitis acquired during pregnancy carries the potential for intrauterine infection and fetal death. These special factors should be considered when advising elderly persons and pregnant women who plan visits to areas where Japanese encephalitis is endemic.

Baluka, the oral typhiod vaccine is effective for 5 years.

I was told my Typhoid vaccine (a shot) was only good for 2 years. The CDC website says the same. This is probably different than the oral vaccine.

Paulo, you are right, the typhoid shot is only good for 2 years, while the oral vaccine is longer lasting, 5 years.

I was just at a travel Doctor's office on Wednesday and he recommended Tetanus with Adacel. This covers tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis and is good for 8-10 years. Three diseases covered in one shot!

In the US, DPT (diptheria, Tetanus, pertussis) is a standard combination. In other countries other combinations are common. For instance in the UK and some European countries, polio is combined with tetanus vaccine. IN the US, polio vaccine has not been combined with others.