Comments on: Which Vaccinations Do You Really Need For Travel?

By: Shaylee Packer

Shaylee Packer — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 13:31:43 +0000

As you mentioned, the yellow fever vaccine is required to travel to certain countries. My sister is wanting to go do some charity work in Uganda, and wants to make sure she has all the up to date vaccines needed for travel there. I will have to ask her if she has had the yellow fever vaccine.

By: Jack Smith

Jack Smith — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 16:57:01 +0000

Thanks for this article Rachel, it has put my mind at ease somewhat. My wife and I are travelling to Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia and Philippines across 7 months from later this year and were looking at near on £1,000 for ‘recommended vaccinations’. As a minimum we are protected against Hep A/B, typhoid, polio and tetanus. Given the time we are travelling and the places we are going would you even suggest considering Rabies or Japanese Encephalitis? None of the countries require it but only suggest for certain activities. Thanks :)

By: Dovi

Dovi — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 09:05:17 +0000

In reply to Rachel Jones.

Hi Rachel,
First of all thank you for this blog, i am currently in Vietnam, and my flight to Bangaluru leaves next week from there i plan to continue on to Goa, I must add, i have been to India before, so last round, i got my Vac’ for Hep A, Hep B, Polio, and prob’ Tetanus shot as well, tho i cant find the record for it on my booklet, Now I just addressed a doctor asking if my old Vac’ still apply or nor, and he said to get them done again and ASAP, Tho i understand the medicinal approach he has, i don’t agree completely and dont want to spend too much money now as i am backpacking, my last time in India was 2011 for 6 months, and slowly i’m reminded with all the hassle there is to deal with while traveling there.
My question is – should i wait to get to India and do the Vaccinations there? for Tetanus and DP? after reading your blog and my booklet, i came to the conclusion those are the ones i am missing, aside from Hep A and B that i dont think i should do..

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 16:12:21 +0000

In reply to Lula Donnelly.

Technically you should – but personally, I wouldn’t for such a short time and traveling in a more luxe way. A doctor would say yes, you should. It’s up to you!

By: Lula Donnelly

Lula Donnelly — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 12:24:23 +0000

Hi Rachel, with your knowledge of India can I ask – I’m going to Jaipur with my Mum (she’s a very healthy, spritely 76 years old) we’re only going for 4 nights, staying in a lovely 5 star hotel, but I literally just thought, should we get injections? Mine are probably all out of date and I know Mum hasn’t had any and doesnt seem phased but thought I’d ask. Am I over thinking it!?! Thanks Lula

By: Zohar

Zohar — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 16:47:09 +0000

thamks for the great article, I am flying to the Philippines next month and will visit descent resorts. I will be in Bohol and Palawan which are major tourist destination. I did get tetanus about 6 years ago and while in the army (35 years ago) I was vaccinated with all types of things (don’t even remember which kinds :)) . what your recommendations when it comes to those areas? Thanks

By: John

John — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 16:40:47 +0000

Don’t get Rabies Vaccine as a preventative. I’ve had many of the vaccines listed. Rabies, suggested by the doctor ($$$$$ maker) has put me in bed for 2 weeks now with a brutal headache, exhaustion, aches, and weakness. I did not finish the 3 shot course. It’s one of the most dangerous. I’m hoping to feel better soon, and the University Hospital Travel Clinic is just shrugging their arms.

I hope this helps someone else. Only get what is necessary. The most important is hepatitis. I’ve been to 10 countries that require yellow fever and not one has asked for proof of it. Of course I have that. I think the above list of what the writer has done herself is pretty good. Forget the others.

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Mon, 14 May 2018 06:42:23 +0000

In reply to Anya.

Everyone has a right to be for or against vaccines – I am a nurse and am 100% for vaccines, even then I still don’t get all that they say to get as you can see in the post. For me, my stance is that it’s irresponsible to tell people to travel without vaccinating against things that can save their lives. I mean, in India you get bit by a dog or you step on a nail … rabies and tetanus both kill but thankfully someone has created a way to prevent that with medicine :)

By: Anya

Anya — Sun, 13 May 2018 12:34:28 +0000

Hi Rachel,
Loving your blog and articles, but don’t agree with this one. I am against vaccinations and traveling the world perfectly fine without any of them. I got only three vaccinations as a child and two of them didn’t work at all.
I became very sick with two diseases later during my childhood. My parents decided not to vaccinate me any more and I have never gotten any other shots in my life.
Yes, nowadays I can’t go to certain countries because of the yellow fever vaccine, but besides those a few countries there is still so much to explore. Even in South America, not every country requires you to have a proof of a vaccine. You just need to follow important rules and take care of your health and you will be totally fine.
Also, I may understand why people get lifetime vaccinations against some diseases, but why do they get shots from flu just doesn’t make sense. There are hundreds of different viruses and getting a shot from one will not help your body fight another one. Instead, it will effect your immune system tremendously. I see people eating trashy foods and leading unhealthy lifestyle and then bombarding their bodies with extra stress as vaccines, and still getting sick.
Just my modest opinion,
Happy travels! ;)

By: allison godkin

allison godkin — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 15:39:59 +0000

im heading to india in nov 2017 for 28 days. im debating on getting hep A, hep B, and thyphoid .
whats your take on this please

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 18:17:08 +0000

In reply to Purplediva. Damn, that is so expensive! Yeah, the WHO says Goa it's not necessary, but I think some other places in India they still recommend it. Luckily, malaria is very treatable, and it seems like the strains in India aren't as strong as other places in the world.

By: Purplediva

Purplediva — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 16:16:34 +0000

Excellent advice from you. We travelled India 2 Years ago and only needed malaria pills for 7 days but cost us £10 a pill from uk pharmacy so 2 of us £140. Good to know that we won’t need them for when we are in Goa

By: Christina

Christina — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 13:17:32 +0000

In reply to Rachel Jones. Thanks, Rachel! Really appreciate it.

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 08:52:50 +0000

In reply to Christina. You can get these pretty much anywhere - the government hospital in Mapusa will be cheapest.

By: Christina

Christina — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 17:33:38 +0000

Hey Rachel,
I was wondering if you could recommend a clinic or hospital in Goa for doing the series of rabies vaccinations. I’m coming to the area soon and want to be protected, but can’t stomach the $1000 price tag from US pharmacies. Thanks very much!

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 10:13:15 +0000

In reply to Maggi. I personally wouldn't take malaria pills for 10 months. I don't take them at all in India and the WHO says in Goa it's not necessary. As for rabies you could get this in India. It's a 1 month series though so you'll have to go in 4-5 times to get all the injections.

By: Maggi

Maggi — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 20:03:12 +0000

In reply to Maggi. I meant July 2017 NOT 2016, lol

By: Maggi

Maggi — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 20:02:29 +0000

Thank you for this! I am going to be in India for 10 months starting in July 2016 and I am going back and forth about vaccines. I had to get a booster of Tdap as well as a Hep A shot when I went to Haiti in 2014 so those are good and I also took malaria pills but that was for a 10 day trip…NOT 10 months. My insurance covered the pills for 10 days but I don’t think it will cover 10 months so I probably won’t get those. I always hear people say “discuss this with your doctor” but my issue is that whether it’s my PCP or the local travel health agency, they’re going to try to make me get EVERYTHING. I went to a Passport Health for info when preparing for Haiti and she was telling me to get Rabies shots. Those are 600 bucks! I didn’t get them. I went to Haiti and used common sense and didn’t pet random animals…much cheaper, LOL. I’m not sure about getting the Rabies shot for India. I’ll be in Chennai. It never occurred to be that I v=could get vaccinated in India at a lower cost.

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Wed, 25 May 2016 07:27:03 +0000

In reply to Mara.

Hi Mara,

I don’t know of hospitals in Delhi, but you should be able to get these at any hospital without issues. Government ones are cheaper. You can ask your hotel to arrange! I can’t guess on the price… I think my rabies was around $10 per shot (it was a post vaccination series). JE isn’t prevalent in India so I have not gotten it.

By: Mara

Mara — Tue, 24 May 2016 21:44:49 +0000

Hi Rachel,
I love your blog :)
I was wondering if you could give me an insight into getting vaccinations in India? I am looking into Rabies and JE ( i really do not want to spend $1000 prior to leaving just on vaccines.. enough with the travel insurance cost), but i will be spending lots of time in rural india/SE and i dont want to take chances.
Do you know of any place in Delhi where i could get vaccinations that are reliable? also, an idea on the cost? somewhere i could locate them/website?
i cannot find anything online!! maybe you being there have a better idea on how it works!
Thanks a bunch :) all the best,
Mara