Travel vaccines should be an essential part of your holiday preparation if you are planning a trip to Southeast Asia.
We recommend planning your travel vaccines at least six to four weeks before your intended trip as some vaccines take a long time to become effective.
There are no mandatory travel vaccines required to travel to Southeast Asia, but it is highly recommended to consider getting the following depending on what countries you are planning to travel to.
| Vaccine | What it protects you from | How long the vaccine will last | Number of shots needed | Recommended for these popular travel destinations |
| Tetanus/ Diphtheria | In Ireland, the Tetanus and Diphtheria shot can only be given together.
Tetanus: a serious disease that is usually cured by bacteria found in soil that can enter the body through an open wound or cut. It can affect your central nervous system which can lead to very painful muscle spasms and other serious complications.
Diphtheria: This is a bacterial infection that can lead to heart failure, breathing difficulties and paralysis. This infection is contagious and is passed on by droplet transmission such as being sneezed on by an infected person.
| 10 years | 1 | Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia. |
| Poliomyelitis/Tetanus/ Diphtheria | In Ireland, the polio vaccine cannot be got on its own. It can only be got in a 3-in-1 shot with Tetanus and Diphtheria.
Polio: This is a contagious virus passed on usually through contact with the faeces of an infected person. In certain cases, Polio can cause paralysis which can lead to death.
| 10 years | 1 | Indonesia |
| Hepatitis A | Hepatitis A virus: This virus is a liver infection contracted from drinking or eating contaminated water and food. This virus can cause hepatitis which is inflammation of the liver and on rare occasions causes liver damage.
| One dose: 6 months to 12 months. Two doses: 25 years for adults and 14-20 years for children. | 1-2 doses are required depending on how long you would like to be covered. If you choose to take the second vaccine it should be taken six months after the first shot.
| Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia. |
| Hepatitis B (important if you are traveling to rural areas/trekking)
| Hepatitis B virus: This is a contagious virus that can cause liver damage and scarring. This virus is usually passed on through the bodily fluid of an infected person.
| Patients are usually covered for life. | 3 doses are required. Generally, the second shot is given one month after the first shot and the third shot is given five months after the second shot.
If needed quickly, this vaccine can also be taken in the space of three weeks. | Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia. |
| Typhoid | Typhoid fever: A bacterial infection that is caused by eating and drinking food and water contaminated with the bacterium Salmonella Typhi.
| 3 years | 1 | Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and UAE. |
| Rabies (important if you are traveling to rural areas/trekking) | Rabies: A deadly virus that is generally caught from the bite or scratch of an animal infected by rabies. People can even get rabies through the lick of an infected animal on an open wound. | Usually lifelong, depending on the vaccine you receive.
| 3 doses are required to protect yourself from rabies. Ideally, the first dose should be taken one month before you start traveling, the second dose should be taken one week after this, followed by the third dose a week after the second one. | Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia. |
| Meningococcal Meningitis (important if you are traveling to rural areas/trekking) | Meningococcal Meningitis: This is a meningococcal disease that is an infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitides. This serious disease affects the brain and spinal cord and can lead to brain damage and paralysis.
| 5 years | 1 | Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia. |
| Malaria Prophylaxis for certain areas | Malaria: A disease contracted from the bite of a mosquito that has been infected by Plasmodium parasites. Malaria can cause serious side effects such as kidney failure and breathing problems and if not treated can lead to death.
| The duration of cover will last as long as you are taking the tablets, that are prescribed by the doctor. | One tablet a day is recommended. It is advised to start the tablets 1-2 days before you begin your travels and 7 days after your trip. | Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and UAE. |
| Japanese B Encephalitis (if travelling to rural areas) | Japanese encephalitis: A brain infection which can be caught from the bite of a mosquito. This viral infection can cause headaches, fever and can lead to more serious complications like convulsions and tremors. In certain cases, this infection can put people in a coma, cause inflammation of the brain or even lead to death.
| 1 year | The vaccine has two doses. The second dose is either given 28 days after the first -or seven days depending on how fast you need to be protected. | Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia. |
Traveling to Southeast Asia will leave you exposed to contagious diseases that you are not protected from and can leave you with serious complications. That is why it is important to get the necessary travel vaccines before you travel.
At Hazelhill Family Practice, we provide a range of travel vaccines to help keep you safe on your journey.
How do I make an appointment at Hazelhill Family Practice?
To book your travel vaccination consultation at Hazelhill Family Practice click here.
You can also call the Hazelhill Family Practice on 094 9630091/ 094 9632170.