Recommended Vaccinations for Travel to Thailand
For travel to Thailand, all travelers should receive routine vaccinations plus hepatitis A, typhoid, and consider hepatitis B, rabies, and Japanese encephalitis based on specific travel activities and duration. 1, 2, 3
Routine Vaccinations
- Ensure all routine vaccinations are up-to-date, including MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), as measles remains uncontrolled in many countries 1
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) should be reviewed and updated before travel 1, 2
- Influenza vaccination is particularly important for those at high risk for complications 1, 2
- Polio immunity should be confirmed before traveling to developing countries like Thailand 4
Highly Recommended Travel Vaccines for Thailand
- Hepatitis A vaccination is strongly recommended for most travelers due to risk of foodborne and waterborne exposure 1, 2, 5
- Typhoid vaccination is recommended, especially for those visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or who may consume food from local markets 1, 2
Consider Based on Risk Assessment
- Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for travelers who may have sexual contact with new partners, receive medical/dental treatment, or have potential exposure to blood or bodily fluids 1, 2, 6
- Studies show backpackers in Thailand have twice the risk of hepatitis B exposure compared to other travelers, with over 20% participating in high-risk activities 6
- Rabies vaccination should be considered for travelers involved in outdoor activities, working with animals, or staying for extended periods 1, 7
- Thailand has made progress in rabies control, but the disease remains present 7
- Japanese encephalitis vaccination may be recommended for long-term travelers (>1 month) or those spending time in rural areas 1
Timing of Vaccinations
- Start vaccinations 4-6 weeks before departure to ensure adequate time for developing immunity 1, 2
- Some vaccines require multiple doses to be effective, so planning ahead is essential 2
- Multiple vaccines can be administered simultaneously without reducing effectiveness 2
Special Considerations
- Live virus vaccines (like yellow fever) should generally be avoided in immunocompromised individuals 1, 3
- Pregnant women should generally avoid live virus vaccines 3
- Inactivated vaccines are usually safe for immunocompromised individuals 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Failing to get vaccinations with enough lead time before travel (start 4-6 weeks before departure) 1, 2
- Focusing only on travel-specific vaccines while neglecting routine vaccinations 1, 2
- Underestimating the risk of hepatitis B in Thailand - studies show 44.1% of backpackers underestimate this risk 6
- Not carrying proper documentation of vaccinations 2