Travelling to Vietnam - vaccinations?

[Mattg]

Hi all,
I am travelling to Vietnam and Cambodia soon and am wondering if anyone knows what vaccinations are really necessary? My doctor is telling me that I should get Hep A, Hep B, Typhoid, Malaria, rabies etc. Which ones would I really need? If it helps, I will be going to Ho Chi Min City, Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang and Siam Reap.

Thanks, Matt

 

[hummel]

Been to vietnam a few times and never had any jabs! Traveled fairly remote and no probs.

I wouldn't worry to be honest,just look after yourself and have fun!

 

[LiamR]

I've had hep A & B before, I told my doc where I was going and he said I wasn't going to any 'dangerous' places in vietnam where there is still quite a lot of diseases. However, he suggested I get Malaria as a precaution, I complied.

However, I always had mossie repellant with me when travelling to more rural areas.

I went to Ho Chi Min City, Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang as well back in 2009 and came home with no problems. Just use common sense when it comes to hygiene.

 

[AVC]

We're fully immunised through work anyway.

But if you don't feel like being a pincushion, more important is to observe good procedures.

Don't drink the tap water.
Don't buy food from filthy street vendors cooking on the backs of their scooters.
Don't drink from a bottle unless you take the lid off yourself.
Wash your hands, etc etc

If your staying and/or eating in hotels there's minimal risk. But if you want to see the "real Vietnam", try not to get any of the real diseases.

EDIT:
Malaria is easy as it can be taken orally.
But +1 to what Liam says. Repellent. Long sleeves after dark are also a good way to prevent mozzies.
Prevention is worth more than cure.

 

[Duffa]

Did Ho Chi Minh for 1 week pre Christmas
Family of four, no vaccinations, no malaria tabs
As above,comon sense, no vendors, no tap water, good hotels and restaurants
4 large cans of Aeroguard.
Remember; malaria, japanese encephalitis and dengue are all carried by mosquitos but no vaccine for dengue. Best protection is do NOT get bitten!!

 

[Duffa]

Rabies and Jap Enceph vaccines will set you back $800 per traveller!!!

 

[dajop]

I'm no medical expert, but rabies surprises me. I've never been advised to to take that shot in my travels to Vietnam, Indonesia, China, India and southern parts of Africa, and was led to believe unless at high risk of exposure to rabid animals, treatment is OK immediately after any incident/exposure. Hep A/B really not that bad to have up your sleeve anyway. Took Malarials when I first went to VN in 1999, we were staying in $3-5/night hostels and really wanted to be sure. Since, have been back 5 times, but mainly city stuff, and all in 3-5 star hotels, and haven't really felt at risk.

I have encountered difficulties with GPs providing good advice relating to travel medicine, and in the past deferred to specialist clinics (eg the Travel Doctor). I suggest if unsure, you do likewise, rather than relying on advice from the web. But ultimately it gets down to the level of risk you are comfortable with.

 

[amaroo]

Been to Vietnam along with Cambodia & Laos a few times with the family - never had any vac shots.

My old doctor wanted to pin prick me when I go to HK......got a new Doc.

 

[DrAndyC]

Hi all,
I am travelling to Vietnam and Cambodia soon and am wondering if anyone knows what vaccinations are really necessary? My doctor is telling me that I should get Hep A, Hep B, Typhoid, Malaria, rabies etc. Which ones would I really need? If it helps, I will be going to Ho Chi Min City, Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang and Siam Reap.

Thanks, Matt

HepA/Typhoid would be wise...Malaria tablets if going rurally... NB: there is mefloquine resistance in cambodia (use doxy or malarone). Use insect protection however, especially for dengue (which is worse the second time round). Dengue mosquitoes are also day biting and like ankles. I recall a study (cant think where) with travellers who did not take malaria tabs in SE Asia and how many got malaria. Was less than 2% I think. Still malaria is not a pretty illness (Esp Falciparum malaria).

HepB only if u plan on getting a blood transfusion over there or having unprotected sex with a local. (depending on your age you may already be vaccinated).

JE - well depends on risk...Just wear insect protection.

Rabies if u plan on working in an animal sanctuary. Seek medical advice immediately however if u encounter the fangs etc of an animal.

 

[wingspan]

Would agree with most people here. Anti-malarial precautions aren't necessary for the areas you're going to. Half my family live deep in rural Vietnam. I just got back from Vietnam and Siem Reap this week, and noticed that the mosquitoes have been less aggressive than they were in the past. Hopefully they will remain so! (Or maybe I'm just less tasty to them as I'm getting older?!)

Although I've never had a rabies shot, there definitely have been times I'd wished I had. Particularly when I'd go for a jog at night and see a few suspicious looking dogs out, or when I'd visit a temple and see some bats about. Although I probably was never at much risk, it would have put my mind more at ease in these situations.

 

[Mattg]

Thanks everyone for your replies so far! I didn't think they were all that necessary either tbh. Looks like I'm going to get a typhoid shot and a blood test to see if I'm protected for hep a/b. As for the others, I think I'll follow the advice on here and not worry.

 

[albatross710]

With the four of our family returning from our two week Christmas trip in Dec 2011 to Siem Rep, Danang, Hanoi, Manila we scored the following:

1 x +ve gandular fever
1 x +ve swine flu
2 x episodes food poisoning

We have all had Hep A shots which is kind of nice when you look at some of the food prep areas. The parents have had previous flu shots but not specifically for this trip. Maybe that provided some protection.

Apart form Rabies, we've always kept up to date with all of the inoculations. My understanding is that in the third world many of the locals are exposed to the various bugs from a young age. They lose a lot of productivity and quality of life by having to live with ill health. Westerns and our health just aren't that tough. While we are relatively protected at home because the majority of the population is immunised, not so lucky in the third world.

You can always look at WHO | Map gallery to help focus the mind.

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http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/Files/Maps/Global_Malaria_2010.png

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We accept that while we are travelling we will likely be exposed to plenty of nasties.

Enjoy your trip....it will be fun. We are all keen to get back there.

Alby