Vaccines for Travel to Vietnam
Adults traveling to Vietnam should receive hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines as the primary travel-specific immunizations, along with ensuring routine vaccinations are up-to-date, particularly tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis, measles-mumps-rubella (if born after 1957), and hepatitis B for most travelers.
Essential Travel Vaccines for Vietnam
Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis A vaccination is strongly recommended for all travelers to Vietnam, as it is a country with high or intermediate endemicity 1.
- Administer as a 2-dose series: either 0 and 6-12 months (Havrix) or 0 and 6-18 months (Vaqta) 1.
- If using combined hepatitis A and B vaccine (Twinrix), give 3 doses at 0,1, and 6 months, or an accelerated 4-dose schedule at days 0,7, and 21-30 followed by a booster at month 12 1.
- The first dose should ideally be given at least 2 weeks before travel for optimal protection 1.
Typhoid Fever
- Typhoid vaccination is particularly important for Vietnam, especially for travelers to rural areas or those with extended stays 2.
- This is especially critical for the Indian sub-continent region but applies to Southeast Asian destinations including Vietnam 2.
Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis B is recommended for travelers to Vietnam as it is a country with high or intermediate prevalence of chronic HBV infection 1.
- Particularly indicated for:
- Standard 3-dose series or combined hepatitis A/B vaccine (Twinrix) can be used 1.
Routine Vaccinations to Update
Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap/Td)
- All travelers should have current tetanus-diphtheria protection, as developing countries including Vietnam pose increased risk 1.
- One dose of Tdap, then Td or Tdap booster every 10 years 1.
- Travelers to developing countries should specifically ensure immunity to diphtheria 1.
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
- Measles remains uncontrolled in most countries including Vietnam, with greater risk than in the United States 1.
- Adults born in 1957 or later should have documentation of 2 doses of MMR or other evidence of immunity 1.
- Approximately 61% of imported measles cases occur among U.S. citizens returning from abroad 1.
- Consider providing a dose to persons born after 1956 who travel abroad and lack documentation of 2 doses 1.
Poliomyelitis
- Polio vaccination is still indicated for travel to Asia, including Vietnam 2.
- For unvaccinated adults, give at least 2 doses of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) 1 month apart before travel to developing countries 1.
- Adults who previously completed a primary series should receive a single supplementary dose 1.
Additional Vaccines to Consider
Japanese Encephalitis
- Consider for travelers engaging in low-standard travel in rural areas of Southeast Asia for more than 30 days 2.
- Particularly relevant for trekking or extended rural exposure in Vietnam 2.
Rabies
- Pre-exposure rabies vaccination should be considered for:
- Provides critical protection given the endemic nature of rabies in Vietnam.
Influenza
- Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for travelers to tropical regions at any time of year 1.
- Persons at high risk of complications should especially receive current vaccine before travel 1.
Important Timing Considerations
- Ideally, complete all vaccinations at least 2 weeks before departure to allow adequate immune response 1.
- Multiple vaccines can be administered simultaneously at different injection sites 2.
- For accelerated schedules when time is limited, Twinrix offers a 4-dose option with doses on days 0,7,21-30, and month 12 1.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not assume immunity based on age alone - verify vaccination records or serologic evidence 1.
- Do not delay hepatitis A vaccination - even a single dose provides substantial protection and is better than no vaccination 1.
- Do not overlook routine vaccinations - the pre-travel visit is an ideal opportunity to update all age-appropriate immunizations 3.
- Cholera vaccination is virtually never indicated for Vietnam travel 2.