Sourcing Anti-malaria Medication and Vaccinations in China

[JDavies]

Hey all! Just wondering if anybody knows whether you can get anti-malaria medication in China and, if so, how easy and expensive it is to obtain? The reason I ask is that it is relatively expensive and as yet I am unsure whether I will be doing any travel in southern China (in the high risk areas) or how long I might be traveling in such areas for.

On a similar note has anyone had any experience getting vaccination top-ups done in China, in particular Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis B, and Hepatitis B?

Many thanks in advance!

[Madot]

Sorry, can't answer the question about anti-malaria medicine (which are usually antibiotic tablets and-- as long as your source will be a reputable one, should not be fake) but please think seriously before having any INJECTIONS in China. Needles are re-used and often there is a lack of proper sterilisation equipment.

Mado

[roddy]

As far as I know, to get anti-malaria meds in Beijing you usually need to go to the expat hospitals - the Chinese hospitals are unlikely to have them. That means you can expect to pay through the nose for them - both for the meds and for a consultation. Things might be different down south. I suspect most travelers to southern China don't bother, but I could be wrong.

[JDavies]

Thanks for the replies. I have already had vaccinations done but it was more the one year top-ups I was thinking. Advice has been heeded though with regards to needles, sterilisation etc.

With regards to malaria, the advice from the UK National Health Service is to use antimalarials in some parts of Southern China (http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/asia-(east)/china/china-malaria-map.aspx), but also was thinking how easy it is to pick them up in China for travel in other Southeast Asian countries. Given what’s been said, I might consider bringing some along just in case (the mosquitos tend to love me).