shots?
 

Has everyone received shots that is traveling to Thailand? I'm not sure if it is necessary.I will be there 3weeks and will be as far north as CM and as far south as phuket.
Thanks

You should check with your doctor - not strangers in this forum.

Maybe you haven't had boosters for the basic ailments, how are we to know?

Malaria is a concern if you are traveling outside of Bangkok (but you don't get a shot for that).

I've been all over Thailand without any shots.

I hate needles.

Do some research: www.cdc.gov/travel then visit your doctor or a trvel med doctor.

It is certainly wise to get some immunizations. Many things recommended you should already have (such as tetanus, routine childhood immunizations such as meases, mumps, rubella). Others you aree wise to have even if you are staying at home (Hep A). Typhoid is also recommended for SE Asia as it is endemic and there are antibiotic-resistant strains.

Hep A and Typhoid are both food and water-borne illnesses and you don't have complete control over who handles your food (witness the outbreaks of Hep A in the US, Canada, Western Europe, etc).

Does everyone get immunizations? no. But does everyone wear their seatbelts? Just because some people don't get immunized doesn't mean it's a wise thing to do.

it depends on what you have already done. check with the website that Kathie posted above. you should definitely count on using DEET to prevent mosquito bites (i.e. dengue and malaria), and the most recommended shots that you should be up-to-date on are Hep A and B, Tetanus, and Typhoid.

Remeber to use DEET on your clothers and sheets - not on your skin - it's a neural toxin! It's safe and effective though, if you're careful.

Deet is safe and effective used as directed on your skin. Use a repellant that has 25-50% deet content. Do not use repellanrs with 100% deet on your skin. For applying to clothing, use a pytherin spray. It lasts through several washings.

so then it's only 25-50% as toxic :p

Hi Bok1,

I just got immunized on Monday. It was free (with Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance) at my general practitioners office. I got the first Hep A (make sure to get it 4-6 weeks before leaving on your trip) - I will need to go back for a booster in 6 months, Tetanus, Diptheria, Whooping Cough, and Polio. There have been some polio outbreaks in Thailand, according to the CDC. Additionally, I got prescriptions for Typhoid (it's in pill form but is a live vaccine) and anti-Malarials, which we will take according to the schedule, when we get to Thailand. If you do not have health insurance, or your provider doesn't cover these types of immunizations, and depending on where you live (I am in a major city), there should be a travelers clinic in your area that will administer these vaccines. Costs are anywhere from $50 - $1000 depending on what you're getting. As the other posters mentioned, Thailand does not require proof of immunizations, so you are welcome to go without. However, I would recommend HepA and Typhoid, as both are serious, life-threatening diseases that are easily preventable.

can you post a link about polio in Thailand? from everything I've seen on CDC, it's been basically wiped out in SE Asia, and is mainly a concern in India and just several other countries.

Thanks all,
I have made an appt. with a travel pass clinic. Since I have health issues of my own I think it will be wise to get vaccinated.