Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dharma bum]

I had a blood test recently and was told that I don't have any Hepatitis A antibodies. The weird thing about that is that I remember being vaccinated either as a teenager (now in my late 20s) or before coming to Korea 7 years ago. (I can't remember which, just that I had it taken care of before arriving here.) However, I'm pretty sure that I only had one shot when I had it done - but am seeing that they now give two shots - so I basically have a bunch of questions: Could the blood test be wrong somehow? Could the vaccine have already worn off, especially since I only got one shot? Should I get vaccinated again and, if so, where would be the best and cheapest place to do that?

I would really appreciate any help/input/answers.

[Daniel_D]

Think for hepatitis vaccines you are supposed to get two shots. The second ~6 months after the first. I could be mistaken though. Think there are various medical clinics in Itaewon that can give you these shots.

[dharma bum]

Thanks, maybe I missed the second shot somehow and that's the problem. I spoke to one of the Itaewon clinics already and they wanted 70,000 won for the vaccine, but it has to be cheaper elsewhere, right?

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

For Hep A vaccination, you get one, then a booster between 6 months and a year after. If you don't get the booster, you need to start again from the first one. I had all of my vaccinations except Hep A, I learned before moving here. I had it, then about 7 or 8 months later, I got mine at a university hospital. It cost me about 40k. The nurses gave me candy because I closed my eyes and whimpered in Korean that I wanted my mommy.

[dharma bum]

I guess I'll be going back for another vaccination then. Don't know why I wouldn't have been given the second shot, but oh well. Thanks for the replies