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Travel Vaccinations for Bali, Thailand and Vietnam
Whether you're looking for a last-minute break, or planning ahead for a big holiday next year, one thing it's always worth considering is how to protect your health whilst you are away. If you're considering a holiday outside of Australia, it's worth remembering that you may need to take additional precautions in order to stay healthy abroad.
For Brisbanites, the popular holiday destinations of Bali, Vietnam and Thailand may all present additional health hazards. One of these relates to communicable diseases which may be found in the water, food or air. Travel vaccinations for Bali, Thailand and Vietnam can protect against many of the most common diseases found in these countries.
Here we take a look at what diseases and health risks are more common in these top holiday destinations, as well as what vaccinations you can take advantage of to help protect you and your family.
An important health risk often overlooked for travel to Bali, Thailand and Vietnam is traffic accidents. You should be aware of the dangers of driving motor vehicles or scooters in unfamiliar and some what challenging road conditions and surroundings. Many Australians are seriously injured or killed each year from motor vehicle accidents whilst abroad. It is also important to note that in many cases travel insurance policies to do not cover you if you are in an accident and have consumed alcohol.
Grow Medical
recommends that travellers take out comprehensive travel insurance before you depart and also ensure you have adequate levels of any regular medications for the duration of your holiday. You may not be able to get your prescription medicines in Bali, Thailand or Vietnam. We also think it's a good idea to consider having the influenza vaccination before traveling overseas.
Travel vaccinations for Bali
Bali Health Risks
Bali is a developing country where visitors should prepare for health risks they do not normally associate with in Australia such as contaminated drinking water, poor food hygiene and unhealthy sanitation. If you are planning to visit more remote areas, there is also a higher risk of acquiring water-borne diseases and also diseases carried by mosquitoes such as Malaria.
Bali health risks to Australian's traveling to Bali include Rabies from being bitten by an animal; in particular dogs, monkeys and bats. Outbreaks of measles have been reported across Indonesia. Sporadic cases of the Zika virus have also appeared across Indonesia and the
Australian Department of Health advises pregnant women to consult their doctor before traveling.
Dengue Fever is prevalent throughout Indonesia, including in Bali and other major cities. It is more common during the rainy season. In recent years, Australian health authorities have seen an increase in dengue virus infections in returned travellers from Bali. There's no vaccination or specific treatment available for Dengue Fever. Mosquito avoidance is the recommended strategy, typically with long sleeves, long pants and a DEET containing mosquito repellent such as Bushman's 20%.
It's also important to recognise that poisoning is on the rise in alcoholic drinks, contaminated by harmful substances including methanol. There have been cases of Australian's falling seriously ill and or have died.
Vaccines for Bali
For travel with children, regardless of destination, we recommend that all routine childhood vaccines are up to date including:
- Polio
- Measles / Mumps
- Hepatitis B
- Meningococcus
- Tetanus
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
We recommend some or all of the following vaccines for Bali travel:
- Typhoid
- Tetanus and Pertussis Booster (if not up to date)
- Hepatitis A
- Rabies
In some seasons, and depending on your location of travel, your doctor may discuss tablets to protect against Malaria.
Travel vaccinations for Thailand
Thailand Health Risks
In a similar way to Bali, the leading cause of Thailand health risks comes from road accidents, unwise food choices and accidentally drinking contaminated water.
The Zika virus has been reported across Thailand including in Bangkok. There is no vaccination available against the Zika virus. We strongly recommend you consult with your doctor before any travel if pregnant.
The Australian Smart Traveller
website also states that Australian travellers should exercise a high degree of caution traveling in Thailand, including Bangkok and Phuket, due to a heightened risk of political unrest and threat of terrorist attack.
Mosquito born viruses such as Malaria and Dengue Fever are a concern during the rainy season, although apart from border regions, most areas of Thailand are now considered Malaria-free. There is no vaccination or specific treatment available for Dengue Fever. Things you can do to protect against mosquito born viruses include:
- Make sure your hotel room is mosquito proof
- Protect against insect bites by using insect repellent (20% DEET) and wearing suitable clothing
- Discuss your travel plans in detail with your doctor before you travel
For people with respiratory concerns, be cautious about poor air quality and smoke pollution in Thailand. This could make medical conditions such as sinus issues or asthma worse.
Vaccines for Thailand
We recommend some or all of the following vaccines for Thailand travel:
- Typhoid
- Tetanus and Pertussis Booster (if not up to date)
- Hepatitis A
- Rabies (consider)
In some seasons, and depending on your location of travel, it may also be worth taking tablets to protect against Malaria.
Travel vaccinations for Vietnam
Vietnam Health Risks
Vietnam health risks largely come from contaminated food and water, and the bites of infected animals and mosquitoes. Whilst many of these risks can be minimised through sticking to the main tourist areas, eating at tourist hotels and similar precautions, it's still possible to get unlucky and end up with a serious infection. For this reason, prospective visitors to Vietnam should make sure that they're protected with suitable travel vaccinations for Vietnam.
Major Vietnam health risks include mosquito born viruses such as Malaria and Dengue Fever, and Rabies from being bitten by an animal.
Recently in Vietnam, there have been reported cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease which usually effects children under the age of 10 years. Outbreaks of Conjunctivitis are also prevalent.
For all destinations, we also think it's a great idea to take a home medical kit with over the counter medicines to treat coughs, colds, pain, cuts and stomach upsets.
Vaccines for Vietnam
We recommend some or all of the following vaccines for Vietnam travel:
- Typhoid
- Tetanus and Pertussis Booster (if not up to date)
- Hepatitis A
- Rabies
In some seasons, and depending on your location of travel, it may also be worth taking tablets to protect against Malaria. Malaria risk is low to moderate in Vietnam. Check your travel itinerary carefully against this map of malaria risk in vietnam.
Travel doctor Consultations
If you're planning a holiday to Bali, Thailand or Vietnam, don't leave it too late to bring your vaccination schedule up-to-date. Grow Medical
travel doctors specialise in travel vaccinations. Contact us at least eight weeks before your proposed date of departure so we can ensure you are covered for your trip.
Book a travel vaccination
consultation with one of our Grow Medical travel doctors
today.
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