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Health Information for Traveling Abroad- Vaccinations, etc.
This is by no means a comprehensive list of information for every country. It is merely here to provide some disease-related information at a glance. When traveling anywhere, be prepared and take precautions. Bring a first-aid kit with you. In many countries, drinking only bottled water is recommended. To prevent insect-transmitted diseases, wear light long-sleeved clothing (especially at night) and bring insect repellant.
Here is some information related to recommended vaccinations and malaria prevention for popular destinations.
for Southeast Asia, China, Korea, India
Vaccinations: None required, but many are recommended as these diseases are present: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Diptheria, Japanese B encephalitis, Rabies, Tuberculosis, Typhoid
Hepatitis: This is a viral disease resulting in inflammation of the liver and if improperly treated, permanent liver-damage. Hepatitis A is food-borne while Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood to blood contact. Vaccination for either strain requires a series of three shots over a three week period, while a combined vaccination requires three shots over six months.
Japanese B Encephalitis: This is a mosquito-borne disease. Vaccination is recommended for those traveling in high-risk areas for longer than one month or visiting during an epidemic.
Rabies: This disease is transmitted by scratches or bites from infected animals. If you have been vaccinated and you are bitten or scratched, you will need two booster shots. If you have not been vaccinated, you will need a lot more. And they hurt.
Tetanus: This disease enters the body through breaks in the skin, and once it is established it is usually fatal. However, the vaccine is cheap and easily available. Get it.
Cholera: Cholera is spread through contaminated water. Some experts call it the world’s leading killer. (Others give the honor to malaria!) While widely available the vaccine offers poor protection.
Malaria: Prophylactics will not prevent you from being infected, but may prevent you from becoming seriously ill or dying. If you are traveling to a high-risk area, ask your doctor for a prescription when you go for your other vaccinations.
Malaria Risk (by country):
- Thailand - Minimal risk only in areas near international borders
- Malaysia - risk only in east Malaysia in areas not near the coast
- Singapore - no risk
- Cambodia - risk in most of the country except for Phnom Penh and surrounding area
- Laos - risk everywhere except for Vientiane
- Vietnam - risk everywhere except for areas very close to the coast
- Philippines - risk in many low-lying areas (below 600m). No risk in urban areas.
- Indonesia - risk in most of the country except for resorts and major urban areas
- China - risk only in areas not normally visited by tourists (Hainan Island and near the borders of Vietnam and Myanmar)
- Taiwan - little to no risk
- Korea - little to no risk
- India - risk in all areas below 2000m
If you need to get a vaccination, check the following table to find out at which hospital you can get it done.
| Rab | Hep | Tet | Chol | Rub | Meas | Ence | |
| Ikkayakka Daigaku Hospital | O | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2630 Sugitani, Toyama City (0764) 34-2281 | |||||||
| Saiseikai Toyama Hospital | O | O | O | O | O | O | |
| 5-18 Azumi-cho, Toyama City (0764) 37-1111 | |||||||
| Toyama Red Cross Hospital | O | O | O | O | |||
| 2-1-58 Ushijimahon-machi, Toyama City (0764) 33-2222 | |||||||
| Toyama Kenritsu Chuo Hospital | O | O | O | O | |||
| 2-2-78 Nishinagai, Toyama City (0764) 24-1531 | |||||||
| Shakai-hoken Takaoka Hospital | O | O | O | ||||
| 8-5 Kofumoto-machi, Fushiki (0766) 44-1181 | |||||||
| Hokuriku Chuo Hospital | O | O | |||||
| 2124 Hanyu-machi, Oyabe (0766) 67-1150 | |||||||
| Kurobe Shimin Hospital | O | O | |||||
| 1108-1 Mikkaichi, Kurobe (0765) 54-2211 | |||||||
| Toyama Rosai Hospital | O | ||||||
| 992 Rokuromaru, Uozu (0765) 22-1280 | |||||||
| Shinminato Shimin Hospital | O | O | O | ||||
| 20 Honoki, Shinminato (0766) 82-8100 | |||||||
| Fukuno Kosei Hospital | O | ||||||
| 57 Matsubara, Fukuno (0763) 22-3555 | |||||||
| Inami Kosei Hospital | O | ||||||
| 938 Inami-machi (0763) 82-1457 |
This table is by no means exhaustive. Most hospitals and even health centers (hokenjo) can administer at least some of these vaccines. However, over the past few years there have been reports from ALTs that doctors in Toyama have refused to administer certain vaccines. ALTs requesting Typhoid and Malaria have been told that these are only available in Tokyo or that the ALT should get these vaccinations when they reach the country of their destination. In any event, make sure to consult with your doctor a few months in advance, and make an appointment.
NOTE: You should allow at least one month to get multiple vaccinations done, because hospitals don’t like them to overlap.
Some good websites for more information:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- the travel section is very comprehensive:
www.cdc.gov/travel
- Fit For Travel site from the UK National Health Services has specifics for each country:
www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
- World Health Organization travel site also gives country-by-country information: