Thailand Vaccinations
Thailand Vaccinations
Which vaccinations for Thailand?
First, I’m not a doctor – if I could afford lawyers, they would make me say that. I’m just a traveler that spent lots of time in Thailand. I have spoken to many backpackers about their choices for Thailand vaccinations, and it differs greatly between the US and other parts of the world.
Any travel doctor that you visit will always err on the side of caution (it is their responsibility) and will suggest lots and lots of vaccinations that you need “just in case” . The bill for getting stuck in the arm is not cheap – but many travelers get frightened into purchasing all of the available Thailand vaccinations. (which is good business for the clinic!)
Its true, backpackers are exposed to slightly nastier environments than the average resort-living tourist, so use your own good judgment. If you plan to do loads of time in the jungles, especially on the borders with Laos, Cambodia, or Myanmar, then you obviously have different needs compared to the average tourist that spends 2 weeks in Bangkok and Phuket.
IMPORTANT: Don’t wait until the last minute to look into your vaccinations! Sometimes they take several shots spaced over weeks, so you might not have time to finish them before leaving. Also, don’t skip the “booster” if it is recommended when you get home….it will mean having to do this all over again after your immunity expires.
First, here are some obvious Thailand vaccinations that you should get anyway. They will help you in ANY country, including your own!
Hepatitis A and B
Nasty stuff, there is no cure, and it will knock your liver full of holes faster than a Dublin pub crawl. 2 – 3 shots required, usually good for 10 years. Yes, you can catch this at home so do it!
Tetanus / Diphtheria
Everyone knows this one, you can get it from a cut or wound received outdoors. There are lots of chances to cut yourself while traveling – rusty parts on boats, fences, nails on the ground, a sharp bolt on a tuk-tuk. Luckily it only takes 1 shot in the arm and is good for 10 years. Yes, it will make your arm sore for a couple of days, but that beats watching it slowly decay from infection.
Now for the optional ones….read the description and make your own mind up.
Typhoid
The most common way to get Typhoid fever is from contaminated water. Before you go thinking that you are safe because you don’t drink the local water – think again. Restaurants and street food stalls wash their dishes and utensils in something….and if you were poor living from day to day, would you invest in bottled water to wash dishes?
Anyone traveling in developing countries should probably go ahead and get this one. The good news is that you can get a set of oral capsules rather than another shot. They will give you a slight fever and make you feel poopy after you take them, but it doesn’t last long. The immunization is usually good for 5 years.
Japanese B Encephalitis
This is a nasty little virus delivered as a gift from mozzies that will make your brain swell. It is mainly found in the countryside, so if you plan to stay for long periods of time (ie…doing volunteer work) in rural areas, go ahead and get this one. If not, then it is optional. This usually requires 3 very expensive injections before you go.
Rabies
There are hordes of stray dogs and cats in Thailand (see picture above) and most are friendly. However, about 300 people (not just travelers) die a year from rabid dog bites. The truth is that your chances of getting bitten are pretty low, unless you plan to do a lot of animal handling (such as a rescue) or have a habit of being bitten by stray dogs. Even if you are unlucky enough to get bitten, your chances are pretty good if you are treated immediately. If you are in the middle of nowhere and don’t receive treatment, your chances are absolutely zero of surviving.
Yellow Fever
You do not need a Yellow Fever vaccination to go to Thailand. However, if you are arriving from a place with Yellow Fever problems, such as in South America or Africa, then you may be required to show a certificate as proof of your vaccination before you are allowed into the country! So, if you end up getting this vaccination for another country, make several copies of your vaccination paperwork and always carry them with you.
Other stuff
Dengue Fever
Dengue is carried by mosquitoes and can be found in the jungles and even on the tourist islands. There is no vaccination, so if you get it just sit back and enjoy the unpleasant ride. Unless you are a senior citizen, you will probably survive but you will be hating life for many long weeks. The best way to play it safe is to do your best at not getting bitten by mozzies (not always an easy task). Burn coils, use spray, sleep under your net, wear long sleeves in the evening, etc, etc. Read more about avoiding mosquitoes.
Bird Flu
The bad news: Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia were huge hotspots for Avian Influenza. The good news: right now, you can only get it from birds. So, as tempting as it sounds, don’t eat any raw chicken, handle dead birds, or play with bird poo and you will be fine. There is the concern that one day the virus will mutate and be spreadable by humans….if that ever happens, run!
Malaria
There is no cut-and-dry vaccination for Malaria, you have to take preventative pills daily. Most are based on the theory of loading up on antibiotics ahead of time so that if the virus enters your body, it doesn’t stand a chance. There is no dormant virus in the pills – you cannot get Malaria from the medication.
These come with a host of side effects, are expensive, and don’t even work all the time anyway because the clever little virus keeps adapting. In fact, the treatment if you catch Malaria is to take a larger dose of the same pills! Research your options, and at the very least, get a post-exposure dose just to carry with you. Malaria is not as big of a problem in Thailand as it is in places like Africa and once again, use common sense in avoiding the mosquitoes that carry it in the first place!
A note for female travelers – if you decide to take daily pills, Doxycycline (the usual Malaria prophylactic for Americans traveling to Thailand) is a very powerful antibiotic and will shut down your birth control pills like Rambo at a bad guy gathering.
If you end up taking Doxy with you, you must start taking it a couple of weeks before you enter the Malaria zone. During this time, do yourself a favor and drink lots of yogurt. This is a very powerful antibiotic and it will not only kill Malaria, but also the good bacteria which lives in your gut and processes food – leaving you the perfect candidate for a messed up stomach in a place with very few public restrooms!
In conclusion
After reading all of this, you are probably thinking about canceling your trip, locking all the doors and windows, and wrapping yourself in bubble wrap. The good news is that these Thailand vaccinations are useful no matter where you go – most are worth the money.
The reality is that travel is no more dangerous than staying at home, and its way more fun…..so get out there!
