Thailand has long been known as an affordable destination and it isn’t nicknamed the Jewel of the East for nothing. There’s something for everyone in Thailand – From Phuket for those looking for a tranquil island paradise to Bangkok for those that prefer a bustling, lively city. You’ll never hear of anyone who returns from a holiday to Thailand without thoroughly enjoying every minute they’ve spent there.
However, before you depart for your holiday in Thailand, you’ll want to ensure you’ve taken the necessary precautions and received the appropriate jabs to (vaccinate) yourself against any tropical diseases that you could potentially pick up in Thailand.
General Travel Shots
Before you travel anywhere in the world, it’s a good idea to make sure your general vaccines are up to date and fill in any gaps that you might have in getting these done. You need to start this early – at least 4-6 weeks before your intended departure date to make sure the shots have enough time to be effective. If you have left it any later than this, speak to a travel health specialist for advice on the best course of action.
Some of the general shots you can ensure you’ve had and are up to date on your MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) and Influenza vaccine schedule. A tetanus booster is generally always advised for all travelers.
But What Injections Do I Need to Visit Thailand?
Thailand doesn’t require many shots to visit. In fact, just two to three are strongly recommended.
- The first is a Tetanus and Diphtheria shot that will protect you against bacterial infections you could sustain. It’s recommended for general travel too, but especially so for Thailand.
- The second is a Hepatitis A shot. Hepatitis A can spread through food and water, so you can’t avoid the potential to contract it. Thankfully a simple jab can go a long way to preventing Hepatitis A.
- Lastly, protecting yourself against Typhoid fever is sometimes recommended, particularly if you are travelling to the more rural areas of the country, or planning on doing any aid work. Because some of the lesser travelled areas in Thailand might suffer from poor sanitation, the risk is higher for those travelling off the beaten track and out of the city, but it’s not recommended for everyone.
It’s recommended to take malaria medication only if you travelling close to the Myanmar or Cambodian border. Mosquito repellent should be enough for the remainder of Thailand. You should also ensure you’re inoculated against rabies when you’re travelling in a foreign country – The Rabies virus is carried by all animals, and is a problem throughout Thailand, especially with dogs and monkeys. You’d be surprised how common dog and monkey bites are, and when caught it is 100% fatal.
You’ll also need a Yellow Fever shot if you’re travelling from a country with a Yellow Fever risk. You may be denied entry into Thailand if you don’t have proof of this. Please discuss this with your travel health adviser.
Getting Jabs Done for Travel
Getting your inoculations with plenty of time to spare and ensuring your Thailand travel vaccinations are done correctly is an important part of planning your travel to Thailand. Use a well known specialist travel clinic, where your individual risks can be assessed and vaccines tailored to your unique travel health needs.
Once you’ve had your vaccines and you’re set to go, you can relax and get ready for the holiday of a lifetime in one of the most magical destinations the world has to offer, secure in the knowledge that you have protected yourself against some of the most common tropical diseases that affect travelers.