Once the international travel bug bites, it’s hard to resist the lure of exotic destinations like Bali, Phuket and Angkor Wat. But before you start packing your bags, have you thought about which vaccinations you and your family may need?
While everyone should be up-to-date with their shots, routine vaccinations don’t necessarily protect you from some of nasties commonly found in Asia. We recommend you see your doctor four to six weeks before you travel. Some vaccines take time to take effect, while others require a series of shots over a period of time – which is especially true for children.
When deciding on which vaccines you need for your trip, there are several things to consider: your destination, what time of year you’ll be traveling, if you’ll be in rural areas, your age, and your medical history.
If traveling to tropical countries, there may be a risk of malaria and dengue fever. Aside from vaccinations and medications, some basic preventative measures include using mosquito repellent and wearing pants and long-sleeve shirts. At night, sleep in an air-conditioned room or use a mosquito net. Below is a list of recommended vaccines. As always, consult with your doctor before deciding which vaccinations you and your family need.
RESOURCES
Beijing International SOS Clinic
Daily 24hrs. Suite 105, Wing 1, Kunsha Building, 16 Xinyuanli, Chaoyang District (6462 9112) www.internationalsos.com 朝阳区新源里16号琨莎中心一座105室
Bayley and Jackson Medical Center
Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-5.30pm. 7 Ritan Donglu, Chaoyang District (8562 9998) www.bjhealthcare.com 朝阳区日坛东路7号
Beijing United Family Hospital
Mon-Sat 8.30am-5.30pm. 2 Jiangtai Lu (in the Lido area), Chaoyang District (5927 7000) www.unitedfamilyhospitals.com 朝阳区将台路2号 See Directory for other locations.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US)
Health information and warnings for world travelers. www.cdc.gov/travel
