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If you are travelling to South-East Asia, it’s likely you’ll be visiting Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia or Indonesia; or any variation or combination of these countries. Every traveller may well have a different itinerary, so the disease risk will also vary. Often you might be travelling on a shoestring budget but it's still important to consider all the vaccines needed for South-East Asia. What you need really depends on what you do, where you go and the time you spend in the region. There's a lot for you to think about before you go but the key injections for South-East Asia will include typhoid, hepatitis A, tetanus and the rest of your childhood immunisations. The next step is to consider the specialist vaccines needed for South-East Asia such as rabies, Japanese encephalitis, cholera and hepatitis B. You may not need all of them but this will be based on a careful risk assessment of your journey. If you are still not sure which vaccines you need, don't worry we can guide you following a consultation. As a first step, we have created a useful table for the various injections for South-East Asia (see below).
What travel vaccinations do I need for South-East Asia?
Dr Ravi Gowda, Consultant in Infectious Diseases or one of his highly trained clinical colleagues will be looking after your vaccine requirements. Find out more about the Health Klinix team.
Who will be providing your travel injections for South-East Asia?
"There is one serious infection that all travellers to South-East Asia should be aware of - Japanese encephalitis. It’s not common in travellers but if you get symptoms, it can have devastating consequences. Japanese encephalitis is a viral infection that’s spread by a night time biting mosquito.
There is a safe and very effective vaccine that can protect you. If you are travelling in rural areas of South-East Asia for prolonged periods then we would recommend you getting this jab for South-East Asia."
Dr Gowda's top tip for travel to South-East Asia
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Frequently asked questions
This really depends on the vaccine. The primary course of Japanese encephalitis vaccine, for example, lasts 2 years
Please note: you will need to book a travel consultation before we can administer travel vaccinations and this costs £30 (1 person).
Ideally 4 - 6 weeks but if you’re short of time, talk to us as we can give you shorter courses for some vaccinations.
Most are well tolerated. The commonest side effects are injection pain and discomfort, headache and fever.
Following a specialist risk assessment, which we can provide, inactivated vaccines may be given if the benefits outweigh any potential risks.
Most vaccines can be given to your children. Some do, however, have a lower age limit like typhoid ( >2yrs) or hepatitis A (>1 year). We can provide advice and recommendations, just give us a call if you have any questions.
Yes. It’s very important you have all the recommended vaccinations.
Recommended malaria tablets for South-East Asia
Overall you are at low risk of malaria in most of South-East Asia but you might want to look at our individual country pages for more specific information. We would recommend malaria tablets in West Papua in Indonesia, some parts of India, Myanmar (Burma) and Papua New Guinea.
Elsewhere, we would generally recommend bite avoidance only but you may still require tablets depending on your specific circumstances. For example, you may belong to one of the following categories:
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You may be staying in rural area for prolonged periods
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Elderly
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You might have a weakened immune system
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You may have multiple medical problems
Please note: If you’re travelling near the border areas of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar (Burma), you need to be aware that there is mefloquine resistance and so you will need expert advice. We can advise you on this during your consultation.
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You'll be glad to know that you're not at risk and the yellow fever vaccine is not required for South-East Asia. This is because transmission only occurs in two continents; ie Central and South America, and parts of Africa. Take a look at these yellow fever risk areas for more details.
South-East Asia is a treasure trove of diverse landscapes, cultures, and experiences, making it a dream destination for any traveller. The region's bustling metropolises, like Bangkok, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur, captivate with their modern skylines, delectable street food, and bustling markets. Journey into the heart of South-East Asia's cultural heritage by exploring the ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the enchanting water puppet shows in Hanoi, Vietnam, or the serene temples and gardens of Kyoto, Japan. The vibrant street life, colourful festivals, and welcoming locals create a rich tapestry of cultural immersion. Nature enthusiasts are equally spoiled for choice. Explore the lush jungles of Borneo in search of orangutans, go diving in the crystal-clear waters of Indonesia's Raja Ampat, or trek through the terraced rice fields of Sapa, Vietnam. The region's pristine beaches, like those in Thailand's Phuket or Bali in Indonesia, invite relaxation and water sports in paradisiacal settings. For food lovers, South-East Asia offers an array of flavours, from the fiery cuisine of Thailand to the fresh and flavourful dishes of Vietnam. Whether you're drawn to ancient history, natural wonders, or culinary delights, South-East Asia's kaleidoscope of experiences ensures there's something for every traveller to savour and explore.
All about South-East Asia
Additional health advice for South-East Asia
You may also be at risk of the following diseases:
Some travellers may ask for the yellow fever vaccine for South-East Asia and although there’s no risk of yellow fever, there is a yellow fever vaccine certificate requirement in some of the countries. This usually applies if you’re travelling to some of the countries from another country where there’s yellow fever transmission. For more details about yellow fever vaccine certificate requirements for each country we recommend visiting the World Health Organization.
South-East Asia vaccine certificate requirements
Authors:
Dr Ravi Gowda, Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine
MBBS, MRCP(UK), DTM&H, MRCGP, DCH, DRCOG, DFFP
Caitlin Lancaster, BSc
Resources: