Asia Immunizations

[hubofhockey]

Just went to the travel medicine specialist.  Got the typhoid and hep A vaccines, but she also mentioned that many are now getting measles immunizations/vaccinations.  I am interested in seeing what others are doing.

 

Itinerary (pre and post cruise:  Hong Kong, Macau, Halong Bay, Danang/Hoi An, Saigon, Bangkok, Koh Samui, Singapore, Siem Reap.

 

 

[Philob]

Y not?   Measles is very contagious, you can get infected anywhere.

 

There's a current measles outbreak here in the US. https://www.newsweek.com/measles-rise-outbreak-grows-over-1200-cases-30-states-while-uk-loses-measles-free-status-1455154

 

There was news report of a Israeli FA that died recently: https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/13/health/israeli-flight-attendant-measles-death/index.html

 

 

[Milhouse]

Yeah, we've been hearing quite of measles infection alerts in Vancouver/YVR airport from people travelling back from Asia (though I think the last two were from travellers to/from China and the Philippines).  I got the MMR vaccine as a child but I read that for people born after 1970, you may want a second dose/booster.  I'll probably get another dose before my next trip to Asia.  

 

One other immunization to potentially consider is Japanese encephalitis.  The risk of infection is low however there's no treatment of the infection (only the symptoms) after the fact.  The cost of the preventative vaccine is pretty steep too (~$300).  I only got it because I was going to a somewhat rural part of India for work and the company paid for it.  

During previous personal land trips to all the places you list, I didn't get the JE vaccine.  The main thing though, is to prevent mosquito bites with bug spray.  

[hubofhockey]

My travel medicine specialist said she recommends the Japanese encephalitis immunization for those staying a month or more.  I did consider that one.  

 

I was hoping the RN would give the MMR vaccine yesterday, but she advised getting it from my PCP.

 

We're going to Cambodia and I got the malaria pills as well as the insect repellant and wipes and spray for clothing with Picaridin.  Dusk to dawn after rainy season is high risk.  

[Ashland]

Good to know it's only recommended for people born after 1970...which certainly doesn't include us.

We're current on all immunizations since we travel often and get our flu shot every year.

Costco for immunizations is a great option if you're a member.

[hubofhockey]

I wound up getting the MMR booster.  I had a rubella vaccine in the mid 1960s.

 

Just a heads up to all.  Many health insurance plans do NOT cover typhoid immunizations.

 

My MMR and Hep A were both covered, but not $300 for that typhoid immunization.  I suppose this is a cost of travel, but insurance companies should not want you to risk getting typhoid.  

[IWantToLiveOverTheSea]

I'm only going to Bali, plus spend some hours in the Hong Kong airport.  I'm following the guidelines posted on the website of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.  There are different tables for immunizations by age, medical condition, etc.  

 

The way I read them, the tables don't recommend the measles, mumps and rubella vaccines (which are combined into one) if you were born 1956 or earlier.  However, my doctor suggested getting MMR nevertheless.  I don't know if she was able to test for titer level or what, but she indicated I was not immune to rubella.  My insurance company indicated they would pay for the vaccine, although I suppose I need to pay the usual copay since I need to go to an infectious disease specialist to get it. 

[girljerk]

I get every immunization the travel nurse recommends. There are active measles outbreaks in Japan, Europe and the US right now. If your insurance pays for it, you can also have a titer run to see if a prior vaccination is still effective. My insurance company did that for me and my measles immunizations from the 60’s and 70’s were still effective so I did not have to repeat my measles vaccination. Also, you might want to make sure you have a pertussis vaccination.

 

Sherri

[hubofhockey]

I think most insurance companies will cover MMR (measles, rubella) and Hep A.  You also want to be up to date on tetanus.    The one that can be problematic on reimbursement is typhoid.  Aetna is saying that it's only "travel related".  I could be out $268 for that immunization and I'm not crazy about that.  They say, at a minimum, you should get immunized for typhoid when going to Asia, but these insurance companies don't care.  It's just not worth it to take the chance.  

[hubofhockey]

Well, my typhoid immunization wound up getting paid by insurance even though they originally said they wouldn't pay for it.  

[girljerk]

On 8/27/2019 at 7:54 AM, hubofhockey said:

I think most insurance companies will cover MMR (measles, rubella) and Hep A.  You also want to be up to date on tetanus.    The one that can be problematic on reimbursement is typhoid.  Aetna is saying that it's only "travel related".  I could be out $268 for that immunization and I'm not crazy about that.  They say, at a minimum, you should get immunized for typhoid when going to Asia, but these insurance companies don't care.  It's just not worth it to take the chance.  

If you have Kaiser, they pay for the typhoid vaccination. Kaiser also has a very streamlined travel nurse process. They evaluate your records and tell you what you need during a phone consult. They then order whatever vaccination you need, send you travel advisories for the area you will travel to and you can get your vaccinations at your local Kaiser in many cases. I get my typhoid vaccination every two years as recommended.

 

Sherri

[hammers]

On 8/23/2019 at 10:22 PM, hubofhockey said:

I wound up getting the MMR booster.  I had a rubella vaccine in the mid 1960s.

 

Just a heads up to all.  Many health insurance plans do NOT cover typhoid immunizations.

 

My MMR and Hep A were both covered, but not $300 for that typhoid immunization.  I suppose this is a cost of travel, but insurance companies should not want you to risk getting typhoid.  

Wow, 300 dollars for a typhoid injection. My wife and I are off on our far east cruise in December. We recently visited our GP and listed our itinerary, we were asked to visit yesterday to have our booster injections, I needed a typhoid vaccine and my wife needed typhoid and hepatitis. Thank god for our National Health service in the UK, the injections didn't cost us a penny.

 

[mdpa]

5 hours ago, hammers said:

Wow, 300 dollars for a typhoid injection. My wife and I are off on our far east cruise in December. We recently visited our GP and listed our itinerary, we were asked to visit yesterday to have our booster injections, I needed a typhoid vaccine and my wife needed typhoid and hepatitis. Thank god for our National Health service in the UK, the injections didn't cost us a penny.

 

Sure you did...you just paid for it a different way. Unless you are implying the National Health Service is funded by the tooth fairy. 😉

[hammers]

Actually, we haven't paid any National Insurance since 2012 when we retired aged 56. So, in theory, all our medical needs are free, but I get your point.