Job Discussion Forums

gimmebear · Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 6

From my findings, it seems like there are not any required vaccinations for going to Japan, specifically from Canada. I was wondering what vaccinations, even just updates, people had before going to Japan. And also, what vaccines are highly recommended or necessary for travelling to countries close to Japan?

There are so many differing opinions on the web, I would like to know what you think.

thanks

goman72 · Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2005 9:23 pm Post subject:

Japan = none required
Surrounding countries = depending which countries qualify as "surrounding countries" will vary on the innocculations you require..... but definitely Hep A + B, Tetanus, Polio [these days is becoming less necessary] but still a good idea to have a booster (which lasts for 10 years), Typhoid.
Malaria = Probably best to take 1 months worth of malaria tablets plus some anti-malaria cream if going to jungle area/outside civilisation and of course, boli/purify your water whenever you can (better still, buy bottled water).

CG

Celeste · Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 6:19 am Post subject:

I would concur with the above. also, if you are going to be teaching kids, make sure that you were immunized for all of the childhood diseases. (Kids have a nasty way of spreading those around to their teachers. The Japanese Encephalitis vaccine is one that you would only need to get if you are going to be spending a lot of time in rural areas in the summer time, and it is rather costly if I recall, so you might want to skip that one if you will be living in a city.

glsco · Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 7:09 am Post subject:

I haven't actually gone to a health clinic as I was immunized for just about everything there is to be immunized against a little over a year ago for a South American trip, but it is my understanding that you need nothing.

I can't recall the site, but there is a website that the Health Clinic uses to determine what immunizations are needed. I looked it up and there are actually fewer recommended immunizations for travel to Japan then there are to Canada.

One thing I did hear, second hand, is that it is an idea to try and cut red meat from your diet before you go over. Helps adjust to... something. Sorry I can't be more help, but it was something I heard from talking with an ex-English teacher who went to Japan. I heard a lot of other things from him also though, and I can't remember exactly what it was he said.

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

Cut red meat? Why? Unless you are one of those who are worried about BSE (mad cow disease).

You can't swing a dead cow around here without hitting a LOT of red meat on the way -- probably unlike other Asian countries... Meat is very popular in most dishes. Even where you don't expect it...

As for your question about the website.... I posted a fairly comprehensive response to a similar question here: http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=19056

glsco · Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 8:54 pm Post subject:

Cutting red meat had nothing to do with Mad Cow (Canadian beef has been getting a real bad rap lately as well.) I think it was to do with adjusting to the humidity or something like that.

It's a good thing this post came up though, since I have been meaning to go to the Health Clinic and ask about that, and this has reminded me to do it.

glsco · Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 3:09 am Post subject:

Ok I got the scoop on the red meat situation. It's apparently not important for everyone, just if you happen to be from a very dry area. When you cut red meat from your diet it thins your blood, and therefore prepares you for a huge change in atmosphere, like going from very dry areas (like the interior of BC where I am located) to very humid ones (like Japan.) Apparently 3-4 weeks is sufficient to prepare you.