Korean Job Discussion Forums

[katerix]

Hello,
I apologize in advance if there is already a post on this topic (and I imagine there is). However, after searching the internet and searching this site I could not find any specific information addressing my concerns.
So here it is..
I am leaving for Korea in about a week. I plan on spending about a year teaching in a rural area for the first half followed by a semester on exchange at Korea University.
I hope to travel as much as I can to anywhere and everywhere- including southeast asian countries.
soo I am wondering if I should see a travel clinic prior to my arrival in Korea or if it is possible and easy/affordable to get any necessary vaccines and medication (such as malaria pills) at a clinic in Korea..
It is quite expensive here- a visit to the travel clinic will easily cost $150-300 depending which vaccines they decide I need. I would rather deal with it in Korea if that type of service is accessible and affordable. If not I will do it here.
Any information would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers

[Daithi]

You will probably get flamed by some for the post and others will debate the merits and dangers of vaccines. I however will do neither cos it's a legit question and sometimes the search function doesn't work.

In regards to what vaccines are necessary you will hear lots of different ones. In my opinion from research and what not Hep A+B, are good ones to get regardless of where you go. Typhoid and Japanese Encephalitis are(supposedly) quite important to have in the countryside. Rabies is a good idea to have also, better safe than sorry and all that.

All of those will set you back a nice wad of cash.My advice(and what i'm doing myself)is to get the Hep A and HepB(or the HepB+Typhoid combination shot : Hepatyrix) shots and get the rest when your over there cos they are cheaper. The Hep B shots come in three doses over about three months so you'll only be able to get it started at home. Due to the fact that this is passed primarily through sex you could leave this till you land in Korea and just be doubly careful.

How easy it is to get the shots depends on where you will be living. I know it'll be easy for me to get them in and around Seoul. Or if you fly into Incheon I believe you can get them in the airport.

Post more info on where you will be going to and people who are already in Korea will be able to give you an idea of the availability

[ttompatz]

Hep A/B are for certain if you haven't had them already.

All the ones you may want or need are available here and cost less here than in the states (where I assume you are coming from).

You won't need malaria unless you are headed to the jungles of northern Thailand or the wilds of Sumatra.

.