What vaccinations?

[Kristyx]

hi,

I'll be spending a year in Xiamen. I've started to get my vaccinations, I've been told I don't need antimalaria tablets but the hospital aren't giving me any straight advice when it comes to the Japanese Encephalitis vaccination. One nurse told me I'd need it, but when I went back for it I was told by another nurse that it's not needed if I'm going to be living in an urban area, and that it's a risky injection so to only get it if I was going to spend a lot of time in the countryside.

I read that Fujian is a risky province, but it's a large place!!

I'm interested to know what other people have decided when it comes to this injection?

[roddy]

The advice I got was:

"Are you going to be sleeping next to pigs at all?"

"No"

"Well, let's skip that one then."

[banjo67xxx]

Doh! I've never asked that question

What vaccinations was I supossed to get before I came here?

My wife can't remember what she had as a child if anything.

I'm living in Jinan spending most of my time in the city, but with occasional visits to countryside restaurants down by the river.

[cdn_in_bj]

You may want to refer to the CDC for information on vaccinations:

http://www.cdc.gov/travel/eastasia.htm#vaccines

Definitely do get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B (you can get vaccinated for both at once with the Twinrix vaccine) - you may not know this, but 10% of the Chinese population is infected with Hepatitis B.

Also consider that while in China, you may decide to travel to other asian countries, so you should plan your vaccinations accordingly.

[venture160]

Besides the usual set of vaccinations for third world countries, I dont think there any "special" vaccinations needed for China. OF course, asking your doctor would probably be the best source of advice!