Travel Vaccinations, too late?

bpk101

Hi —

I'm travelling to Thailand on March 11th for 2 weeks. The earliest my doctor can see me for vaccinations (Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Polio, Diptheria) is March 1st. I understand now you should have vaccinations 4—6 weeks before travelling. Have i left it too late and will the vaccinations work?

As an alternative I've booked into a travel clinic for tomorrow but the cost is quite expensive for the jabs.

Again, should i wait for the NHS appointment or will March 1st be too late?

Thanks

DUKE

Where are you going in Thailand? I didn't have any when I went. However, that decision can only be made by you.

bpk101

Koh Samui x 5 nights
Koh Lanta x 6 nights
Bangkok 2 x nights

agrinnall

I'm not sure I'd be too worried about those places (maybe get the tetanus as you'll probably have had previous vaccinations and the top up will increase effectiveness). But if you do decide to have them they'll still provide some degree of protection even if it's not full by the time you go.

bpk101

Thanks... would you hold out for the free NHS appointment (11 days before travelling) or pay for private vaccinations tomorrow (18 days before travelling).

Will those extra 7 days be worth the £100+ fee?

Thanks again.

eDicky

I lived in Thailand for twenty odd years and frequently visit since, never once having considered any kind of vaccination. I sometimes frequented more dubious places than where you are going and the only thing I caught was dengue fever (twice), for which there's no vaccination or cure. Thailand is a relatively very hygienic environment, unless you visit city slums etc. Polio is eradicated worldwide apart from Pakistan, Afghanistan and somewhere in Africa, is it not?

DUKE

I'd personally go for the NHS. But if it puts your mind at rest go for the private.

Voyager2002

Have you asked your GP surgery if the practice nurse can give you the injections?

There might be a need for a doctor to decide which vaccinations are necessary, and whether they are appropriate in view of the traveller's medical history. However, it sounds as if you already know what you need. Basically anyone with any kind of medical training can give them to you: no need to wait for a doctor to be free.

You might also check what you would have to pay your GP: while some surgeries give many vaccinations without charge, in other cases there might be less difference than you are expecting.

Bottom line: your proposed holiday is pretty low risk, so having the vaccinations late or not at all is unlikely to make a great deal of difference.

jhe

As Voyager says ask your doctors if a nurse is available to give you the vaccinations. I always get mine off the nurse who checks the http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/destinations/asia-(east)/thailand.aspx site.
just to add some insurers require you to have taken all advisable precautions

Ames

Are you sure your GP surgery does injections on the NHS? Most don't and tell you to go to a travel clinic. Even if they do the jabs, there's often a fee.

My sugery don't do anything, even malaria tablets.

jhe

Ames wrote: »

Are you sure your GP surgery does injections on the NHS? Most don't and tell you to go to a travel clinic. Even if they do the jabs, there's often a fee.

My sugery don't do anything, even malaria tablets.

mine do them for free- except Rabies vaccination
Malaria tablets meed to be bought from any Pharmacy