What vaccinations are needed to travel in Vietnam.?

Question

What vaccinations are needed to travel in Vietnam.?

Answer 1

The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to Southeast Asia. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.

Hepatitis B, especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants.

Japanese encephalitis, if you plan to visit rural farming areas and under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of Japanese encephalitis.

Rabies, if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.

Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors

As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles

Answer 2

none.

Answer 3

It depends on where you are going, and how long you will be here. Short visit, city bound, check into the hepatitis series, at least the varieties that can be passed by food. Longer visit, out in the country - rabies and encephalitis come into play.

There are also standard shots that apply anywhere.

Answer 4

I have just got back home from Hanoi, Vietnam. I recommended this website for your planning trip in Vietnam:

www.vietnamadventurestravel.com . It great services and prices. Good luck. Mark

Answer 5

You have some good answers already, but I think some of he answers are a bit long winded with too much technical stuff and others fall short of a good explanation.

To put it bluntly, you don’t need vaccinations to go to Vietnam. No one will check to see even if you’re sick, let alone check your vaccinations, when you arrive in Vietnam. However, it is a good idea to get certain vaccinated to keep from getting sick while there.

Some friends of mine who were medical interns in Hanoi from Australia told me that hepatitis is the second highest number of admitted patients in their hospital – second only to motorbike accidents. In other words, what you eat in Vietnam could literally put you in the hospital. Going further, our digestive system is not accustomed to how things are cooked in Vietnam. So make sure you get your hepatitis shots and bring a supply of things to settle an upset stomach, such as Alka Seltzer or Pepto Bismol. If all else fails, drink a Coke or Pepsi if your stomach feels a little queezy after a meal.

Another potentially serious problem is infection. Vietnam is very dirty and a small scrape from a piece of metal can expand into a full-blown infection. You don’t want to end up in a Vietnam hospital for treatment, so make sure your tetanus shots are up to date.

Many would argue that malaria is a problem in Vietnam, and especially in the rural areas. Adding to this is the Avian Flu, which mosquitos could be the carrier between birds and humans. The problem is malaria pills themselves can make you sick and you need to take them regularly or they will not work. Personally, I think malaria pills aren’t worth the effort. However, it’s very good idea if you’re planning to be in rural areas.

A flu shot is always a good idea whether or not you are traveling to Vietnam. You won’t know who on the plane has the flu, and it sucks to be sick when you’re on holiday or an adventure.

A slick way to get all the vaccinations you need at a reasonable price is through your local county health clinic. Most county health clinics will shoot you up with what you need for traveling abroad cheaper than if you went to your own doctor (my doctor told me this himself).

Have a great trip!