What Shots Do I Need?

Please let the staff know if your itinerary involves more than one country.

Ask the staff if Yellow Fever is mandatory.

Note: Due to the current limited supply of the yellow fever vaccine, please call us at the Travel Clinic first to insure that we have the vaccine available or to place your name on the waiting list.  You can also visit the CDC website for the most up-to-date travel announcements at www.cdc.gov/travel/

If you are traveling to:

Brunei Darussalam, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos), Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam

These shots are recommended:

Hepatitis A – is contracted via contaminated food and water. This vaccine is NOT needed it you have had the disease or have received two doses of the vaccine AT LEAST six months apart. (Two doses are good for 10-20 years). If you have only received ONE dose it is good for 1 year.

Hepatitis B – is recommended if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids; for example, health care workers, have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than six months in the region, or be exposed through medical treatment.

Japanese encephalitis – is recommended for travelers who will be staying for prolonged periods in rural areas in endemic areas.  In general the vaccine is not needed for the short term traveler and/or for those who will mainly visit urban and tourist areas.  We can advise you on regions that are at risk.

Typhoid – is contracted via contaminated food and water. This vaccine is recommended if you will be spending time in small cities, villages and rural areas (particularly developing regions) for an extended period of time. The longer you spend time in regions with questionable sanitation of food and water the higher your risk is for contracting typhoid fever. We have the injection or oral typhoid vaccine. Both are only about 60% effective so food and water precautions must still be practiced. The injection is good for two years and the oral vaccine is good for five years.

Polio, Tetanus/Diptheria (Td), MMR (Mumps, Measles, Rubella) -  As needed booster doses are recommended for Td, MMR, and a one-time dose of Polio for adults.

MMR (Mumps, Measles, Rubella) – To be considered adequately immune for travel to the above countries you should have had at least two (2) doses of MMR in your life. MMR is NOT needed if you have had the diseases or have had a blood test (titer) that proves immunity. If you were born before 1957 you probably had the diseases as the vaccine was not out yet. However, if you did not contract the disease you would still need to consider getting MMR.

Rabies – Is recommended if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation. Travelers with extensive unprotected outdoor, evening, and nighttime exposure in rural areas, such as might be experienced while bicycling, camping, or engaging in certain occupational activities might be at high risk even if the trip is brief.

Yellow Fever – A certificate of Yellow Fever vaccination may be required for entry into certain countries if you are coming from South America or sub-Saharan Africa. Please refer to the CDC web site (www.cdc.gov/travel/) if you are traveling to one or more countries that may require the Yellow Fever vaccine.

Malaria – There is risk of Malaria in a majority of the above countries. If you are unaware of your risk, you can check the CDC web site (www.cdc.gov/travel/) or come in and check with our staff. We have the CDC Health Information for International Travel Manual where the risk of malaria can be looked up by individual countries. This is also on the web site.

Recommendations are made following the Centers for Disease Control Guidelines (2003-2004)

Please call (626) 744-6121

for information