What vaccines do I need for Thailand or backpacking South East Asia?

Are you going backpacking for the first time? Wondering what vaccines do I need for Thailand? I did the research before my fisrt time and looked into vaccines from the NHS in England etc and what I exact vaccines I needed for backpacking Asia. So, in this post you will find the information you need for backpacking safely in regards to your health!

I only realised how many vaccines are needed after looking at my jabs for Thailand.

Let’s take a look at the vaccines you might need before backpacking, including what vaccines you need for backpacking Asia. I know you might not want to be bothered with vaccines but it is something you must take quite serious before travelling.

The list of travel vaccinations needed for a backpacker in Thailand

Here is you list of vaccines to get before visiting Thailand in Southeast Asia, one of the most popular destinations in the world for backpackers.

Tetanus / diphtheria | Price – Roughly $40

Here is the tetanus list;

• Doses | one dose
• This is either given as an injection or tablet, but most commonly given as an injection.
• Caused by bacteria in soil and likely to be picked up from open cuts and wounds. Those infected will often require intensive care until the effects of the disease wear off, typical symptoms of tetanus are lock-jaw (yes literally your jaw locking) and muscle cramps. The spasms may be accompanied by fever, excessive sweating and an unusually rapid heartbeat. If left untreated, there is a high risk of sudden cardiac death, pulmonary embolism, aspiration pneumonia and kidney failure. However, you will be fine with the correct vaccination.

May Bay Phi Phi is an awesome place to visit in Thailand

Adult polio booster | Price – Roughly $50

A polio booster is another one to look at;

• Doses | one dose
• Given as an injection to the upper arm and no it doesn’t hurt you’ll be glad to know.
• The polio virus causes damage to the nervous system, which can lead to permanent paralysis and death. Backpackers travelling to Asia may be at risk from, therefore it is recommended to take the booster before travelling to areas such as Thailand and Vietnam

Typhoid | Price – Roughly $39

You will visiting rural places in Southeast Asia, so I recommend getting typhoid vaccines for visiting Thailand;

• Doses | one dose
• Typhoid comes as either an injection or tablets, but vaccination you receive for this one is dependant on your age.
• Found mostly commonly in poorer countries and common symptoms of typhoid fever include a high temperature, headaches, nausea, muscle pain, digestion problems such as constipation or diarrhoea, tiredness, confusion and some may experience a rash.

Check out the best things to do in Koh Tao whilst backpacking though Thailand

Hepatitis A | Price – Roughly $60

Don’t look injections? I’m sorry but you will have to embrace it for this one! Hepatitis A is one of the vaccines for Thailand that you will need.

• Doses | one dose
• This is given as an injection to the upper arm and same again it doesn’t really hurt.
• Caught from dirty food and water in poorer countries, so keep your hands clean!

Yellow Fever (required for all South America trips) | Price – Roughly $150

This is one of the vaccines for countries in Southeast Asia that you need to get;

• Doses | one dose
• This is given as an injection to the upper arm and it is’s just a little jab with no pain.
• That away from the mosquitoes, I hate them, I wear a full can of spray every morning and it’s because they hammer me with bites.

You need to see the best beaches on Koh Samui

Malaria medication | Price – Ranging from $0.50 – $3.50 per tablet 

This is a popular vaccine for Thailand, however, I didn’t use the malaria tablets whilst backpacking through Thailand.

• Doses | regular tablets
• Malaria tablets are taken on a regular bases, but to be honest I haven’t bought these for my backpacking trip around Asia as I am going to take the risk of not paying for these! However, it is completely up to you on this, this could be one to look at for vaccinations for Asia. Here is a map to show the high risk areas of malaria.

Now your what vaccinations do I need for Thailand tips

Some of the vaccines my be free from you doctors, so it is worth going seeing your doctor before your adventure to find out which maybe free. Also, some medications need to be taken in advance before backpacking and you will have to speak with your local doctor to find out more information.

Remember keep clean, drink clean water and try to eat quality foods that you know have been cooked well.

Other than that have an amazing time and hope you’re going somewhere nice?

More information on vaccines

Other places to see in Thailand

Here is some awesome destinations in Thailand to see;

1. Krabi night market
2. Elephant jungle sanctuary Phuket
3. Top things to do in the Phi Phi island

If you’re looking for the best places to visit in Thailand and a guide to Thailand travel hacks, you will find it all in this awesome easy read guide. I have personally created this guide for travelling around Thailand. It costs less than a McDonald meal 🙂

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