In 2018, about 129.2 million people visited Southeast Asia.
Due to its diverse landscape and cultures, it’s a popular destination for people all over the world.
If you’re planning a trip to Southeast Asia, you need to ensure you stay healthy and protect yourself before you leave.
Read on for a list of vaccines for Southeast Asia.
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
Since you likely had it as a child, you might only need a booster. Depending on your age, your primary care doctor will recommend you get a booster.
If you do get a booster shot, it should be good for life.
Tetanus and Diphtheria
Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, can get transmitted through soil, saliva, dust, and animal feces. Diphtheria is an infection that attacks your throat and mucus membranes and gets spread through sneezing.
You can get a combination vaccine for both known as TDaP, which is good for ten years.
If you plan on visiting Southeast Asia and can’t remember the last time you had a TDap vaccine, you should get one.
Since polio is a viral disease that typically affects children causing paralysis, chances are you had it as a child.
Talk to your doctor about getting a booster shot, which would be good for life, before traveling to Southeast Asia.
Hepatitis A and B
Even if you’re not traveling to Asia, you should be current on your Hepatitis vaccinations. If you need both vaccines, they’re often combined into one shot.
To get fully protected against hepatitis A and B, you need three injections over the course of a few months.
Booster hepatitis vaccinations are good for 20 years to life.
Since typhoid fever is easily contracted with contaminated water, you’re more vulnerable to contracting it. In Asian countries, you can be exposed through dirty ice, fruits and vegetables washed with dirty water, and even wet plates at restaurants.
You can get protection against typhoid fever either through capsules or a shot. The vaccine will protect you against typhoid for 2 to 5 years.
This is quite a rare disease that spreads via mosquitoes in rural areas. If you plan on staying in hotels in urban areas, you might not at risk at all.
Since this is a very expensive shot, many travelers choose to skip it unless they’re staying in remote areas.
If you’re traveling to Southeast Asia and planning on working with animals, you should consider getting a rabies shot. Those who don’t get vaccinated should avoid contact with dogs and monkeys.
Fortunately, if you come in contact with a rabid animal, you can get the vaccine after the fact and still survive.
Even if you get the shot and a rabid animal bites you, you still need booster shots after the encounter.
Needed Vaccines for Southeast Asia
Now that you know the list of necessary vaccines for Southeast Asia, you’re ready to enjoy your trip.
Remember to talk to your primary care doctor about which boosters you will need before your trip.
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