Thailand

Which Vaccinations Do You Need for Thailand?

The DTP vaccination and hepatitis A vaccine are recommended for all travelers to Thailand. Other vaccinations you may need for your trip depend on the length of your stay, your travel plans, and your health. Vaccinations you may need include:

• Yellow fever
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Hepatitis B
• Rabies
• Dengue
• Japanese encephalitis

Yellow Fever in Thailand

Yellow fever does not occur in Thailand, but if you visit a country where yellow fever is present during your trip, the yellow fever vaccine may be mandatory. This can also apply if you are only making a stopover in a country where yellow fever occurs. We will discuss this during your travel consultation.

DTP and MMR Vaccinations for Thailand

The DTP and MMR vaccinations are part of the Dutch National Immunisation Programme. The vaccine against mumps and rubella has been part of the National Immunisation Programme for everyone since 1987. Measles vaccination has been part of the programme since 1975. If you were born between 1965 and 1975, you are only protected against measles if you have had the disease yourself or were vaccinated outside the National Immunisation Programme. Before 1965, measles was so common that almost everyone born before then had the disease. In most cases, the two vaccinations provided through the National Immunisation Programme provide sufficient protection against mumps, measles, and rubella. If you have not received these vaccines, you will usually need one vaccination to travel safely. If you are traveling to an area experiencing measles outbreaks or work in healthcare or education, you may need two vaccinations.

The DTP vaccination protects against diphtheria, tetanus and polio. The DTP vaccination provided through the National Immunisation Programme consists of three vaccinations and generally provides ten years of protection against diphtheria and tetanus, and lifelong protection against polio. When traveling to a high-risk area, it may be advisable to get another DTP booster vaccination. If you did not participate in the National Immunisation Programme as a child, you will need three vaccinations spread over seven months. The DTP vaccination is always recommended for travel to Thailand, regardless of your travel plans.

Hepatitis A and B in Thailand

The hepatitis A vaccination is always recommended when traveling to Thailand. This contagious form of jaundice is rare in the Netherlands but occurs more frequently in countries such as Thailand. You contract the disease through contaminated food and drinks or by touching shared taps and door handles. The hepatitis A vaccine can be combined with the hepatitis B vaccine. This disease is transmitted through contact with blood and body fluids, which can occur through unprotected sex, unsafe medical procedures, piercings and tattoos, or by using used razors.

The combined hepatitis A and B vaccine consists of three vaccinations. After completing the series, you are protected against hepatitis B for life and against hepatitis A for forty years.

Mosquito-Borne Diseases in Thailand: dengue, Japanese encephalitis, malaria and chikungunya

Thailand is home to several diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. You can be vaccinated against dengue, Japanese encephalitis, and chikungunya. During your appointment with the travel nurse, you will discuss whether vaccination is advisable for you. There is no vaccine against malaria. Depending on your situation, you may be prescribed malaria tablets or given emergency treatment to use if you suspect an infection. In any case, it is advisable to take measures to prevent mosquito bites, such as sleeping under an insecticide-treated mosquito net, wearing long clothing, and using an insect repellent containing DEET.

Rabies

Rabies occurs almost everywhere in the world, including Thailand. You can contract the disease if you are bitten or scratched by an infected animal. If you have an increased risk—for example, because you are traveling to an area where rabies is common, expect to have frequent contact with animals, are traveling with young children, or are traveling for more than three months—it may be advisable to get vaccinated against rabies.

Tuberculosis in Thailand

In specific circumstances, you can be vaccinated against tuberculosis, but this can only be done through the tuberculosis service of the Municipal Health Service (GGD). If you want to know whether you contracted tuberculosis during your trip, you can take a tuberculosis test at vaccinatiecentrum.nl eight weeks after returning home.

Malaria in Thailand

Malaria occurs in some areas of Thailand, but the risk is generally low. The level of risk depends on the region you are visiting and the months in which you travel. In some areas, there is a year-round risk of malaria, while in others there is only a risk during certain months. Ask the travel nurse about this during your appointment at vaccinatiecentrum.nl. Depending on your situation, you may be prescribed malaria tablets. The most important advice is to prevent mosquito bites. You can do this by wearing long clothing, using an insect repellent containing DEET, and sleeping under an insecticide-treated mosquito net.

Are vaccinations mandatory for Thailand?

In most cases, no vaccinations are mandatory for Thailand if you travel directly from the Netherlands to Thailand. If you travel via an area where yellow fever occurs, the yellow fever vaccine may be mandatory.

When Should I Arrange My Travel Vaccinations for Thailand?

It is best to schedule an appointment at vaccinatiecentrum.nl four to six weeks before departure. Some vaccinations consist of multiple doses that need to be administered several weeks apart. By getting in touch well in advance, you can be sure that you complete your vaccinations on time.