greeniegirl

I'm leaving for Thailand in a week and was told that getting the first of the Hep A shot is not worth it (didn't get vaccinated yet). Nor is getting Tyhphoid. Should I go and chance it or get part of the shot series?

Thanks!

Kathie

You would be wise to get all of the approparite travel vaccinations for Thailand. Hep A and thyphoid are food and water borne illnesses so are especially important to get. The Hep A vaccine won't give you the best protection with only the first shot, but it does give you some protection. And when you finish the series, you have 10 years of protection. The typhoid vaccine in the form of a shot will give you protection, but only for two years. If you take the oral tyhoid vaccine, you have to take 4 pills over the period of a week, and it will provide 5 years of protection. And are your routine boosters you to date? You should have current diptheria/tetnaus, measles, mumps rubella (depending on your ages) and polio.

Read about the various vaccines at www.cdc.gov/travel

jacketwatch

I second that. Kathie knows what she's talking about!

TracyB

And I third that..

sandi

And for my 2-cents - get your inoculations, most of which last 10-yrs and won't have to think about them the next time you travel, nor the need for them even when you're at home.