What is the minimum number of jabs I need to travel to China?

Question

Am terrified of injections, so want to have the absolute minimum and am confused by conflicting recommendations, and health "professionals" who are clearly trying to push certain brands of pharmaceuticals on me at my local practice....

Answer 1

What vaccines you use really depends on you: (1) your personal habits, (2) how long you will be staying, (3) when you will be in China, and (4) how willing are you to take a bit of risk. The official CDC web site ( http://www.cdc.gov/travel/eastasia.htm ) recommends that you be up to date on current jabs (e.g. tetanus, diptheria, measles) plus also get Hep A, Hep B, Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies, and Typhoid. These are all prudent. On the other hand, I know people who have been traveling to China for years without any shots and have never gotten sick. So, it's partly a matter of probabilities as well as how careful you are willing to be. Beijing is as far north as, say, Toronto (and quite cold and windy, with dust storms). If you are willing to bring along mosquito spray and use it if you see any sign of mosquitoes, I would think you'd be safe against the J.Enceph threat. Likewise, stay away from any wild animals or dogs, especially those that ought to have natural fear of humans and don't. That way, you'll keep yourself safe from being bitten by rabid animals and so you won't need a rabies shot. Aids and hepatitis are serious problems in China, so stay away from sex with locals and illegal needles to avoid those. The other two, hepatitis A and typhoid, come from food. Hepatitis A is rampant in China, the germs are hard to kill in a restaurant kitchen, and you will be eating out a lot. These two shots are definitely ones I would get. The Hepatitis A is a two shot series that must be given something like 6 weeks apart. They seriously don't hurt too bad. Put some ice on it just before you get the shot to numb it a bit, and I take some ibuprofen before I get the shot, as well.

In terms of keeping yourself healthy in China, I think there are four main risks. One is food. Don't eat salads or unpeeled fruits or vegetables unless you are certain it has been washed clean and rinsed in bottled or boiled water. Only eat food that is freshly killed or cooked, not sitting around all day in tepid temperatures. If you are getting something from an outdoor food stall, make sure it is piping hot and steaming when you get it, but also (in every place) ask yourself where are they washing the dishes and using what water. If the plates etc are not disposable, for all you know they could have been washed in the creek out back. Most locals actually use the first boiling pot of tea to rinse their dishes: watch to see if locals do this where you eat, and you do as the locals do. Also, do not eat rare poultry (Chinese like it this way), make sure eggs are cooked thoroughly (no runny yolks), don't let any raw poultry drippings get into open wounds, and wash hands thoroughly after handling poultry. This is to avoid the negligible risk of catching bird flu from a bird (it is not transmitted person to person).

The second risk that comes to mind is airborne illnesses: colds and flues generally since you don't have immunity to the particular brands of colds and flues that are on a different continent. And this country has also been affected by the worldwide resurgence of tuberculosis. Avoid hand railings, don't touch your hands to your face ever, wash hands a lot, ask for serving spoons in restaurants.

The third big risk IMO is traffic accidents As you will see after you are here, traffic in general and crossing the street is dangerous here. Wear safety belts. In terms of crossing the street, my best advice is to shadow a local, because there are rules of the road but they are different rules in China and very confusing to foreigners. But be sure to look BOTH WAYS at all times, since even on a one way street traffic could come from both sides.

The fourth risk is during a pickpocket incident. I've known people who broke legs when falling or who injured themselves trying to hang onto their pocketbook. There aren't guns here, but there are knives. Carry your valuables in a chest wallet, leave your real passport in your hotel safe (carry a photocopy) and if someone grabs your bag just let go of it. I believe there is less crime in China than in USA but exercise the same precautions you would in any large city. Remember also that as a foreigner you are a money target; your wristwatch may cost as much as a city dweller's monthly salary, and perhaps a year's earnings for someone living in the countryside. Don't flash cash!

Get some emergency accident insurance. American Express offers a medical and medical evacuation policy to its cardholders. Or ask your insurance agent / travel agent about this. If you were to be injured in China, you would be required to pay up front before you'd be treated in a hospital, possibly in cash.

All this is not to say that China is unsafe, just that you need to be aware of risk and take measures to keep safe. Have a wonderful trip, Beijing is a fascinating, beautiful and fun city!

Answer 2

None
I have been twice on adoption trips and our director has been over 45 times and never has had any shots.
Unless you are going to be in country for a extended amount of time, you are good.
I got the Hep A and B and tetanus just because I was being over cautious.

Answer 3

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) says none are required.

It recommends boosters for tetanus-diptheria (always a good idea) and measles.

Other shots depend somewhat on what kind of travel you're doing:

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.

Hepatitis B, especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants.

Japanese encephalitis, if you plan to visit rural farming areas and under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of Japanese encephalitis.

Malaria: if you are traveling to a malaria-risk area in this region, see your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to East Asia.

Rabies, if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.

Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors