Shots in Bangkok?

Dancali

I've been a lurker on this site and love it. But now I have a question I could really use some help on.

I'm taking a few month trip to India in a month or two and need to get some shots.

But I was thinking about going to Thailand for a month or so before going to India where I could hopefully get my shots much cheaper than in the US. The US shots look to add up to a ridiculous amount of several hundred dollars ($150 for EACH hep A/hepB combo shot, $70 typhoid, $35 tetanus, $60 measles, etc.). These are the typical prices at the local travel clinics and there are no alternatives here.

I've always wanted to go to Thailand, the airplane costs are no more to go there first as opposed to straight to India, I could leave sooner by just getting my Indian visa quickly and easily in Bangkok as opposed to the month long process in the US, and I could hopefully save a lot of money on the shots.

So, is this feasible? Are the shots cheap and realiable in Thailand? Is it a dumb idea to go to Thailand itself without getting shots first?

Thank you very much.

vistet

If you are leaving within a month or so, you need to do some serious - and fast - planning on how to space your immunisations. Some immunisations - like yellow fever - will not be valid if taken to close your arrival.( If you arrive in India without a valid yellow fever imminisation coming from a number of Latin American countries you will be " detained in isolation for up to six days" - nice way to start the trip ..)
Try , for example, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine website (Travellers Area) for planning : www.masta.org or Travel Healh Online : www.tripprep.com

paan wallah

I ve been quite often to Thailand and I never had any shots done..
and I never had any health problems in Thailand,just sometimes very bad hang overs
I had to wait 10 days in bangkok to get my indian visa...
which can also be arranged by a travel agency for some bahts more
arranging it by yourself is quite a hassle...
when going to india I just do some thypoid and cholera shots..
and of course tetanus and diptherie,polio which is free of charge in germany..
always take a good mossie net with me...
it s not a big problem to get the shots in bangkok as there are a lot of western style hospitals,the prizes should be less than in america or europe...
I friend of mine had to stay for 3 weeks in a hospital in bangkok due to a blood poisening,ha said it was first class,safe and very clean and all had been paid by his insurence company..
in bangkok,khao san road you should get some infos for the shots,
if not there are plenty of health organizations in bkk,
but as vistet said you have to do some planning with your shots,
some shots can t be done at the same time
some shots migth have some sideeffects
take care that they take a fresh needle for your shots!!
if in doubt just buy some in a pharmacy

wish you a good and healthy trip to thailand and India!

in bkk you can get very cheap fligths to india sometimes around
100 dollars or so,by indian airlines,biman or some others,

don t forget to make a copy of your passport when you give it to the embassy or a travellagency!!!!!!!!!

flosdiner@aol.com

I just flew back to Bangkok from India yesterday. Moved to Thailand, 4 months ago from New York. I had visited Thailand three years ago and got the minimal yet required immunizations. I then had to repeat some and pay a ton of money (over 400 dollars) before coming back. Again, I only got the necessary ones and the most expensive I decided would cost less in Bangkok.
Although I can verify the shots are cheaper here, talk to a doctor about waiting to get the immunizations to ensure if you wait you will be protected. But I would make that one of the first things you do.
Hepatitis can be a dangerous risk to everyone.

Getting back to India, I know a woman who is 70+ years in NY and her son who had lived in America for around 20 years went back to India and died after symptoms of jaundice. After learning more I believe he died from complications of hepatitis and if he had taken the steps maybe could have saved his life.
So no matter where you decide to get them, make sure you do and make sure you will be protected in these countries.
One week after I arrived in Bangkok I got a parasite. I was treated but incorrectly. From the medicines my parasite was weakened but not defeated, I then went to India and my immune system in its weakened state did not protect me from all these infections.
So although people choose to do nothing, take the basic steps to protect yourself from a stupid death, also check conditions according to weather and seasons.

To answer other specific ?'s

The Indian embassy in Bangkok is a pain and sadly run but you can get a visa within two or three days. Just be persistant, even if they decide to leave for lunch, follow someone and bother them. And when you first fill out the forms, it is smart to give a copy of your passport. They also require two photos and 3000 baht(75) dollars. You should be able to return the next day and then later on in that same day pick up your visa.

The prices for the shots sound very fair if you choose to receive them in the US. And the shots you have listed are the shots recommended by all those traveling to Thailand.

If you decide to travel to Thailand and get the shots, there are two reputable hosptials which should charge reasonable ammounts for vaccines. They are Bumrungrad and BNH. You can call for an appointment or simply walk in.

Just be careful. You don't want to get a parasite like me and then move on to India. If you come to Bangkok, to let your body adjust, try not to brush your teeth in tap water for the first couple days, even though ice is bagged limit or eliminate intake. Only eat hot street food, but make sure flies aren't around because they can transmit parasites as well. Do not eat fruit or vegetables unless they are cooked or you can peel them. Parasites lower your immunity and you want to go to India healthy and strong.

Hope you have a lovely time in these magical places.