I will be traveling back to Vietnam for my 3rd time. I just wanted to get everyones opinion on this subject. Did you get your shots and anti-malaria pills before going to Vietnam or Thailand? I did the last 2 times, but was wondering if it is necessary? I called the doctors office today and they no longer give these shots and told me to contact the health department. I know it states they are not required but what is your feeling on this?

Nope. I just got some immodium for diarhea.

I got the Hepatitus shots. It took 3 treatments to be inauculated so after that I was cool. The only pills I took were some Tums that I had to use after eating shellfish in NhaTrang.

When I went in July 2005 I did not take anything, No shots or Pills

In Jan 2006 I Got My first shot of Hepatitis shot. but I have not made it back for the second one. They gave me some pills for malaria, But it was not necessary to take unless I was going to travel to (PHU QUOC ISLAND). I was going to go but last Min travel plans changed that one.

And when I go this July I won't go get anything done. I'm Not worried.
But the immodium I will take.

Hi Mike,

I personally got all of the suggested vaccinations for Vietnam before I came. However, I did this for the fact that I would be living/working here for an extended period of time.

I brought some malaria pills, but I can tell you that I haven't taken one since I've been here!

I will definitely have my fiancee get as many of the required vaccinations for AOS as she can in VN. Prices are alot cheaper than vaccinating in the USA.

STL_HCMC

I would only get a "tet'ness shot" (spelling) in case you get bitten by one of those stray dogs. I got bitten once. If you get sick or get a stomach virus you can buy almost any drug over the counter without a perscription, including Viagra. Oh I forgot, you're meeting Huong, nevermind...................

Very Funny, that I won't definately need. I mayn need some relaxing pills

I think I will pass on the shots, since I had them the last 2 times, and I will just call the doctors office for the malaria pills. When we have chatted at her home this summer, I noticed she uses a bed net, so the mosquitos seem pretty bad, as I have seen her swat at them. Thanks everyone, it really eases my mind that I won't be the only one not getting the shots.

I didn't need Immodium when I got there, which surprised me. Ihad the opposite reaction and ws in search of fiber! I am still not right after returning and need to east Raisen Bran every morning.



I have had two of the Hepatitis shots. The 3rd is scheduled for September.

The last time I was there, I spent 2 weeks living in her village (really the area near the suburb of the small town outside Bac Lieu). I was really worried about the mosquitoes, especially after getting bit on my leg near 50 times in one night and over 200 times in the course of the first 5 nights. (Check out the pick if ya think I'm exagerating).
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They had put netting up, but the first night, my leg was off the bed and I got hit. The second night was due to a late party at a cousins house and a slow, dark, night boat ride back. By the third night I discovered a small hole in the net near the foot of the bed. The 4th night, armed with a mixture of lotion and deet, and high pitch signal emitters (made to drive off moi) placed strategically on the corners of the bed, I made the mistake of going to the bathroom in the middle of the night and got hit...on my foot, again (clarified for those pervs out there!). The itching was insane! I had all sorts of thoughts running through my head the following week...malaria, da nang fever, the plague, who knew what those suckers carry? ...Long story short, here it is almost 8 months later, and no problems or symptoms at all since the leg wass removed (just kidding!). I mentioned the story to a doctor friend and he just laughed and said "Prevention or cure?? Be more worried about the humidity! (proof I need more caring friends and less comedians)

Will I take anything this time? You bet! A gallon jug of Dove lotion with mosquito repellant and a bunch of immodium and pepto, anything else I can deal with there

God, my spelling in the above post is horrific!!!!

I had none when I went to Philippines. Only drank store-bought bottled water and shied away from the local food vendors in the streets.

Thanks so much for all your input. The last time I was there in December and January, we went to a beautiful place called Sun Spa Resort in Quang Binh. First let me say, this place was 4 or 5 star, and I paid $50/night. I am not sure how I got sick, but a day after arriving on the train to Quang Binh, I started getting sick, from both ends. We were both so worried, and made for a less of a good time for the new years eve party they threw. The nurse at the resort was so nice, and took us to a local doctors office, where I got waited on immediately. I paid like $15 and they took a urine sample, temperature, blood pressure, sonogram, x-rays, and bloodwork. I was soscared about them sticking a needle in my arm, and then I saw them open a new needle up right in front of me. They gave a order for about 5 different kinds of medicine in which we went to some secret place to buy the medicine much cheaper. I started feeling better in about 2 days. I remember the thoughts going thru my mind that I caught something really bad. I am going to get the malaria pills and maybe skip the shots.