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shrimp_whiskers · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 12

Does anyone know if i can get the vaccinations i need for an extended stay in vietnam after i arrive? it's ridiculously expensive in the U.S.

Can I trust the clinics? Has anyone done their vaccinations in Vietnam as opposed to their home country?

Thanks for your help!

Cat Attack · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Hanoi, Vietnam

Its recommended that you visit a travel doctor 6 weeks before entering a country so you can have enough time to get the vaccinations and for them to take effect before travelling.

shrimp_whiskers · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 12

thanks for your replies. anyone had their vaccinations in Vietnam?

Cat Attack · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Hanoi, Vietnam

I think that vaccinations are really a personal matter. There may be certain health reasons that guarantee that you should get a certain vaccination. Last time I was in Vietnam I only got the major vaccinations (Hepatitis etc.), but I know that, if my Mother went over, she has to get more, due to her medical history and high risk to certain illnesses.

Even if its expensive, its probably worth it to at least speak to your doctor about it.

shrimp_whiskers · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 12

well, i know what's required and what i want to get (Japanese Enceph., Typhoid, Hep A) but i want to know if i can get them in Vietnam safely. has anyone had experience with this?

eddiek1syou · Joined: 08 May 2008 Posts: 23 Location: Out there

Gees, evacuated to a country with a hospital? Vietnam has hospitals, don't they?

I will be leaving to VN beginning of August. I don't know anything about vaccinations and all that. Is there a list of vaccinations? This post got me all paranoid.

shrimp_whiskers · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 12

you know, it'd be really nice if someone just said. "yes, i got my immunizations here in vietnam. it was fine. "

i appreciate all the information i can get on the subject, which doesn't seem to be alot. so i thank you all. on the other hand, i posted a simple question. i surely didn't ask about anyone to wax poetic about their moral opinion on immunizations.

i lived in korea for 2 years and traveled around SE Asia, including Vietnam. i'm well aware that HCMC is not backwoods. i actually prefer getting as little medical work done in the U.S as i can because i feel you can get better quality for less money in Asia (Korea, at least, as i do have experience with it there). i don't see anything wrong with not wanting to pay ridiculous amounts of money if you don't have to. i'm not scared of the medical quality in vietnam, i just want to be as well informed as possible. i plan on travelling to rural areas during my stay.

and as you said, jerrymcb:

elliewelliesj · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 65

If it is any use to you, I got my vaccinations in Bangkok - I had been living in Japan and it was too expensive there... so waited to arrive in Thailand before travelling to Vietnam. I have no idea about here in Vietnam, but am sure it cant be vastly different... and Bangkok was fine, I went to the Thai hospital and had a long chat with the doctor before deciding what I needed , and it worked out a lot cheaper. dunno if that info is any use to you or not?!

shrimp_whiskers · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 12

thanks elliewelliesj! i basically just needed a little reassurance, and that's a big help. just a few more days...can't wait!

ChuckECheese · Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 216

I wish someone would invent an all-in-one vaccination.

shrimp_whiskers · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 12

no joke, ChuckE! i hate shots no matter what the cost. i'm sure most people in the world do. probably our great grandchildren will have the all in one shot. although i hate to complain when at least i am fortunate enough to afford to not get these diseases.

Catullus · Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 10 Location: Boston

oddly, Vietnam doesn't 'require' that you have any vaccines before you come over. I guess they figure they've already got anything you could be bringing in...

Franklinstein · Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 6

i got everything here in the us except jap encephilitis and rabies

im hoping i can get those for cheaper over there

Catullus · Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 10 Location: Boston

There are 'travel clinics' in most cities (in the US at least; I don't know about other parts of the world). This is a complete list of what I got:

-Hepatitis A
-Hepatitis B
-Japanese encephalitis
-Typhoid
-Diptheria
-Tetanus

Cat Attack · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Hanoi, Vietnam

If you can get them cheaper, that would save you alot of money.
Two nights ago I got rabies, typhoid, meningoccoal & flu vax (all at once mind you Shocked

) and I walked out after paying $320 AUS. I had Hepatitis A & B a couple of years ago. I wasn't even offered Japanese encephalitis by my doctor. Have to go back for two rabies boosters as at an extra cost of $108 AUS each. If you can get rabies in VN go for it cos that is basically a one way flight from Aus to VN. Let's hope I can get some money back on private health!