Job Discussion Forums

Birdog3344 · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 126 Location: Osaka, Japan

Can anyone tell me what shots, if any, I will need before heading over to Japan. If I plan to travel to Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, China or other Southeast Asian countries, what other shots are required? If no one knows for sure, could one direct me to a website where I can find definitive info.
Thanks.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

You need no specific immunization for Japan per se, but for all the others mentioned you would be wise to have them.

The best way is to go in and see your doctor, tell him/her where you are headed and ask what you need... (You're gonna have to go in anyway, right?)...

But if you want an idea, check these websites:

The CDC
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/

This site will give you all recommended vaccines broken down by geographical region.

Canadian Gov't Travel Health advisory
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/236_e.html

BradS · Joined: 05 Sep 2004 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Yeah, you don't need any for Japan really but I got the ones needed for other parts of Asia in case I'll travel (which I will). Wink

Birdog3344 · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 126 Location: Osaka, Japan

Thanks for the info....Not looking forward to a bunch of little pricks. Confused

canadian-girl · Joined: 07 Aug 2004 Posts: 46 Location: yangmei, taiwan

Even though they weren't required I got my Hep A & B, Diphtherea and Thyphoid shots. Warning.....Hep shots are expensive! I had to get the quick shots (3 shots in 30 days, and 1 shot a year later) for all 4 shots it cost me about 185CAN plus 10CAN to have my doctor give me the shot. They didn't really hurt though (i was happy!), a little tender in the arm afterwards, but nothing big.

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

I don't know what the health regulations are in Canada, but the health regulations specifically in California are about the same as Japan, meaning I had all of my shots completed as a mandatory process throughout my childhood. I didn't need any shots at all before I left for Japan, although my uni required me to have a physical. Nothing big, though.

rcn · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 38 Location: Japan

I just came from Canada this past summer and got my Hep A/B combo shots. It only cost me $45/shot in Calgary. However, the combo requires getting it 3x on a 0,1 and 6 month schedule.

BE AWARE! I didn't have the time to get my 3rd shot b4 I left and assumed that since Japan is a "modernized" country I'd have no problem getting my last shot here. WRONG! Japan doesn't have the combo shot-you have to get the A(7000yen) and B(6000yen) separately! Rip off!

What's more, the shots in Japan only last 5 years whereas the ones given in Canada are supposed to last 15-20 yrs.

Definitely get your shots b4 u come.

-RCN(fellow canuck)

Celeste · Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 5:06 am Post subject:

I would absolutely recommend getting immunized for Hep A and B before you leave, and typhoid is a good idea too- especially if you plan on making a trip to SE Asia or Korea. Also, I think you might want to get the Japanese encephalitis shot- not much of an issue in Japan, but I knew people who'd contracted it in Korea a few years ago, and it is extremely dangerous. If you will be working with kids make sure that you actually got all of your childhood vaccines. Some of those diseases can be particularly nasty for adults. If you haven't got an updated tetanus shot, it can be a good idea if you are going to go an any adventure holidays where you might endure cuts and scrapes.

Eleckid · Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Posts: 102 Location: Aichi, Japan

My doctor recommended me to take the Hep A shot, cuz eating raw fish in Japan might give you Hep A. Well I had to take a shot anyways cuz it's part of the body check deal, & I already took my Hep B in highschool, so I took Hep A.

But I'm supposed to get another Hep A booster shot within 1/2 yr, which I didn't. I don't eat so much sashimi anyways.