The only vaccine required by international regulations is yellow fever. Proof of vaccination will only be required if you have visited a country in the yellow-fever zone within the six days proor to entering Vietnam. If you are travelling to Vietnam from Africa or South Africa you should check to see if you require proof of vaccination.
Specialised travel-medicine clinics are your best source of information; they stock all available vaccines and will be able to give specific recommendations for you and your trip. The doctors will take into account factors such as past vaccination history, the length of your trip, activities you may be undertaking, and underlying medical conditions, such as pregnancy.
Most vaccines don't produce immunity until at least two weeks after
they're given, so visit a doctor four to eight weeks before
departure. Ask your doctor for an International Certificate of
Vaccination (otherwise known as the yellow booklet), which will list
all the vaccinations you've received. In the
For info on current immunisation recommendations for
MEDICAL CHECKLIST
Recommended items for a personal medical kit:
antifungal cream, eg Clotrimazole
antibacterial cream, eg Muciprocin
antibiotics for skin infections, eg Amoxicillin/Clavulanate or Cephalexin
antibiotics for diarrhoea, eg Norfloxacin or Ciprofloxacin
Azithromycin for bacterial diarrhoea, and Tinidazole for giardiasis or amoebic dysentery
antihistamines for allergires, ef Cetrizine for daytime and Promethazine for night anti-inflammeatories, eg Ibuprofen
antinausea medication, eg Prochlorperazine
antiseptic for cuts and scrapes, eg Betadine
antispasmodic for stomach cramps, eg Buscopa
contraceptive
decongetant for colds and fluts, eg Pseudoephedrine
DEET-based insect repellent
diarrhoea “stopper”, eg Loperamide
first-aid items such as scissors, plasters (Band Aids), bandages, gauze, thermometer (electronic, not mercury), sterile needles and syringes, safety pins abd tweezers
indigestion medication, eg Quick Eze or Mylanta
iodine tablets (unless you are pregnant or have a thyroid problem) to purify water laxatve, eg Coloxyl
migraine medication (your personal brand), if a migrain sufferer
oral-rehydration solution for diarrhoea, eg Gastrolyte
paracetamol for pain
permethrin (to impregnate clothing and mosquito nets) for repelling insects
steroid cream for allergic/itchy raches, eg 1% to 2% hydrocortisone
sunscreen and hat
throat lozenges
thrush (vaginal yeast infection) treatmeant, eg Clotrimazole pessaries or Diflucan tablet
urine alkalisation agent, eg Ural, if you are prone to urinary tract
infections
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RECOMMENDED VACCINATIONS
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the following
vaccinations for travellers to - Adult diphtheria and tetanus - single booster recommended if you've had none in the previous 10 years. Side effects include a sore arm and fever. - Hepatitis A - provides almost 100% protection for up to a year; a booster after 12 months provides at least another 20 years' protection. Mild side effects such as headache and a sore arm occur for between 5% and 10% of people. - Hepatitis B - now considered routine for most travellers. Given as three shots over six months. A rapid schedule is also available, as is a combined vaccination with Hepatitis A. Side effects are mild and uncommon, usually a headache and sore arm. Lifetime protection occurs in 95% of people. - Measles, mumps and rubella - two doses of MMR required unless you have had the diseases. Occasionaily a rash and flulike illness can develop a week after receiving the vaccine. Mariy young adults require a booster.
- Polio - in 2002, no countries in - Typhoid - recommended unless your trip is less than a week and only to developed cities. The vaccine offers around 70% protection, lasts for two or three years and comes as a single shot. Tablets are also available; however, the injection is usually recommended as il has fewer side effects. Sore arm and fever may occur. - Varicella - if you haven't had chickenpox, discuss this vaccination with your doctor. |
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LONG-TERM TRAVELLERS These vaccinations are recommended for people travelling more than one month, or those at special risk: - Japanese B Encephalitis - three injections in all. Booster recommended after two years. A sore arm and headache are the most common side effects. Rarely, an allergic reaction comprising hives and swelling can occur up to 10 days after any of the three doses. - Meningitis - single injection. There are two types of vaccination: the quadri"alenl vaccine gives two to three years protection; meningitis group C vaccine gives around 10 years protection. Recommended for long-term travellers aged under 25. - Rabies - three injections in all. A booster after one year will provide 10 years of protection. Side effects are rare - occasionally a headache and sore arm. - Tuberculosis - adult long-term travellers are usually recommended to have a TB skin test before and after travel, rather than vaccination. Only one vaccine is given in a lifetime. |
