Answered6 years ago
What vaccinations should I consider when visiting or living in Thailand?
Hi I was curious what everyone’s thoughts are regarding vaccinations when visiting or living in Thailand! Since there aren’t any mandatory vaccinations I’m interested to see what people are getting, if any at all. Thanks in advance!
Answer summary
This post discusses the vaccinations that expats and travelers consider when visiting or living in Thailand. Participants share their experiences and recommendations regarding vaccines like Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus, and Rabies, along with preventive measures against mosquito-borne diseases like Dengue Fever. There is also a debate about the necessity of various vaccines based on individual exposure risk and circumstances of living in Thailand.
55 repliesnewest first
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Paul *******
None are needed at this time - except maybe yellow fever if arriving from some African countries within the past 6 or 10 days. Can be avoided if you fly first to Europe or the Middle East and spend a few days there before entering Thailand. Probably not relevant at the moment with no flights from Africa.
Edna *******
Please get your vaccinations. 80 million are now vaccinated in the US, many more around the world. Consider this, they can’t be all wrong. It’s a must in order to get control of this horrific Covid. It seems doubt and controversy always spreads like wild fire, when good news is slower. Be grateful the world has several vaccines available, we could still be waiting.
Benjamin ******
@Edna ******
I am thinking the op means other vaccines, not just COVID-19 Edna *******
@Benjamin *****
of course, some of those in the US are not readily available. They have to be special ordered , and some take more than one jab many weeks apart. In US very expensive. I experienced that on my first trip in 2013. I’m guessing that may be the case in other countries that don’t have major issues with the fevers, malaria etc. in the US children are usually vaccinated at a young age, unless their parents are anti vax’ers. Sadly that has become an issue. Back in my day kids could not be enrolled in school without the series of vaccines. My children all were with what was available.Benjamin ******
For vaccines in general, I recommend getting the following:
-hepatitis A & B
- typhoid
- yellow fever
- Japanese encephalitis
- meningitis
- polio
-measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
-Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)
- chickenpox or shingles
- influenza
Source:
-hepatitis A & B
- typhoid
- yellow fever
- Japanese encephalitis
- meningitis
- polio
-measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
-Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)
- chickenpox or shingles
- influenza
Source:
**************************************************************
Ralph *******
Benjamin Hays That lot will cost more than then airfare!
Tom *******
If you live in rural Thailand get all doc recommendes especially tetanus and protect yourself against mosquito
Diedy **********
I will be getting the Astrazeneca, no choice yet in the Netherlands, but would have liked the Janssen vaccin, developed and first producer in the Netherlands, also called Johnson &Johnson. And maybe do more research on the other vaccins we used to get but don't bother anymore. Some might need a booster.
Peter ***************
@Diedy *********
Janssen vaccin Original a malaria aid
That’s nowhere near proven to be affective for Covid 19
And therefore most probably not accepted by Thai authorities
Diedy **********
@Peter **************
no, that is something different, chloroquine. The covid vaccin made by Janssen is tested and accepted.Peter ***************
@Diedy *********
okay dan 😀Dave *******
Dengue fever vaccine is definitely worth getting
Narelle ************
@Dave ******
it only works if you’ve had dengue before. They won’t give it to you otherwise 
Anthony ******
@Narelle ***********
Are you sure of that?Narelle ************
@Anthony *****
google is your friend (and screenshot below)Dave *******
@Narelle ***********
ok, thought I had the vaccine when I went to Vietnam, maybe not Narelle ************
@Dave ******
oh and there’s this... interesting. ***********************************************************************************************************************************
Narelle ************
@Dave ******
well that’s my understanding of it but this says the WHO ‘recommends’ it’s only given to those who have had dengue before. So maybe you did have it if they broke protocol. Peter ***************
I’ve been told
You can be asked for yellow fever
But they never did
And working offshore
I’m not worried about that
Cause I have all vaccines you can possibly think off
You can be asked for yellow fever
But they never did
And working offshore
I’m not worried about that
Cause I have all vaccines you can possibly think off
Rich *****
@Peter **************
, Ebola?Peter ***************
@Rich ****
quite hard to getI was working in Nigeria back than ,but to get ebola,you really need to do a lot of crazy stuff
Hugging dead people
To name one 🙃
Michael ********
@Paul ******
yes you try itPaul *******
@Michael *******
Don't show them the boarding pass.Michael ********
@Peter **************
i been asked to show yellow fever returning from Angola.You supposed to do health declaration any flights coming from Africa, if you dont immigration might noticed boarding pass and you have to go back and do it
Kim ***********
Hep A, Typhoid, tetanus. Wouldn't travel without these.
Todd *********
@K**
no need, but fair enoughKim ***********
@Todd ********
yes, there is. Have been travelling to Asia for a very long time, all 3 of these vaccines are a must IMO. Kim ***********
@Sammy ******
agree. 
Sammy *******
@Kim **********
hep b as well all are crucial despite old fools with their stories about smoking 3 packs of cigs a day and never had a problem. 
James **************
Also cured me of STD's
James **************
Paracetamol, 12 bhat at any 7-11
Colin ********
***********************************************************************
Scott *******
Hep A and Typhoid are the standard recommended vaccines. Hep A I didn't bother with since it's self limiting and not all that serious. Typhoid I got.
Steve *********
@Scott ******
maybe rabies is worthwhile considering also?Scott *******
@Steve ********
Rabies vaccine is only needed after exposure. So if you get bitten then definitely get the rabies vax asap but no need to get it otherwise. 
Lynnette *******
@Scott ******
its up to the traveller to check and assess need. I never said it was necessary. I know its not one if the essential vaccinations. My point was, if you are bitten by an animal with rabies getting treated afterwards is painful and the serum is in short supply. Scott *******
@Lynnette ******
I'm not aware of any public health agency that recommends pre-exposure rabies vaccine for people that are having episodic exposure. If you're going to be around tons of wild animals on a daily basis, yeah by all means get it. If not, the concensus seems to be its rather unnecessary if you're in a developed country like Thailand.Lynnette *******
@Scott ******
the rabies vaccine protects and only needs the booster if bitten. But if you are not vaccinated prior to being bitten by a dog with rabies, the treatment is pretty painful, needs administering quickly and also in short supply. Up to the traveller if they wish to risk it. I didnt. I had my 3 shots and fully protected because I often handle or rescue dogs, though rabies is pretty unlikely in phuket. Scott *******
@Jill **********
yeah I can't imagine being anywhere so remote in Thailand you can't get the shot in 48hrs time. Sub-Saharan Africa, sure. But not Thailand. 
Jill ***********
@Scott ******
, getting the rabies shot doesn’t prevent rabies but gives you an extra 48 hours to get the necessary second one. If somewhere remote, that 48 hrs can save your life. 
Eric *****
Take no shots, avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes. Easy.
Dave *******
@Eric ****
that’s easier said than done Eric *****
@Dave ******
Mosquito net, socks, fansDave *******
@Eric ****
as I go fishing it’s very difficult, I use repellent, it’s in the evenings, wearing shorts, they seem to like me but never bite my pal 🤷♂️
Tony *********
Depends where you going in Thailand
Kool *******
The basic shots you'd get anywhere else. Tetinus/Diptheria, and maybe hepatitis jabs. Anything else is area specific.
Christopher ***********
@Kool ******
Thanks for the reminder. Had those plus yellow fever (all for the first time since whatever I had in childhood) back in 2009. I know yellow fever now lasts for life since 2016 (previously valid 10 years).Kool *******
@Christopher **********
yellow fever is not endemic in Thailand so you don't need it here.
Stuart *********
@Kool ******
you do need it if you come from or have travelled through countries where it is endemic. ***************************************************************
*****
0a30d
Andrew ********
@Kool ******
Also depends on what countries you have been in before Thailand. I work in Nigeria so I need yellow fever cert to get into Thailand.Benjamin ******
I want the Johnson and Johnson vaccine myself
Chris ******
@Benjamin *****
Yep me too...Steve *********
@Benjamin *****
for what? Benjamin ******
@Steve ********
I thought this was about COVID-19 :\ Steve *********
@Benjamin *****
nopeActivity
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