Essential Vaccinations for Vietnam Travel

Planning a trip to Vietnam? Ensuring your health and well-being while travelling is of the utmost importance and one crucial aspect of travel preparation is understanding the vaccines recommended when visiting Vietnam. By getting the necessary vaccinations, you can help protect yourself against potential health risks and fully enjoy your adventure in this captivating Southeast Asian country.

Vaccinations Recommended for Vietnam

Before embarking on your journey, you should be aware of the recommended vaccines for Vietnam.

You should ensure that your routine vaccinations and boosters as recommended for life in Ireland are up to date e.g. MMR, seasonal flu and others depending on occupational risk e.g. hepatitis B, or underlying medical conditions e.g. pneumococcal vaccine.

The following vaccines may be recommended for travellers visiting this beautiful destination.

Recommended Vaccines

Diphtheria

This is an extremely contagious, and potentially very serious, bacterial infection. It is spread from person to person via respiratory droplets.

There is an effective vaccine against this infection and it is recommended that you receive this if it is not up to date when travelling to Vietnam.

Tetanus

Tetanus is a bacterial infection that enters the body through the skin e.g. open wound, burn or cut. The bacteria are found in soil worldwide. It is a potentially fatal infection.

5 doses are given in Ireland for long-term immunity, however, a booster dose is recommended
if it has been more than 10 years since your last dose and you are travelling to an area where urgent treatment may not be easily accessible.

It is recommended that you receive a booster dose of this vaccine if it is not up to date.

*Diphtheria and tetanus come as a combination vaccination with polio.

Vaccines To Be Considered

The decision on whether you need these will be determined by your individual risk, e.g. activities you are planning, and specific locations you will be visiting.

Hepatitis A

This is a viral infection that is spread via contaminated food and water, or from person to person via the faecal-oral route. You can become very unwell if you contract this infection and it can take a few months to clear.

Risk is increased in areas with poor sanitation and personal hygiene standards and those with other chronic medical conditions are at increased risk of more severe disease.

The virus is more prevalent in SouthEast Asia than in Ireland and vaccination should be considered.

Typhoid

This is a bacterial infection that is usually spread through contaminated food and water, especially in areas where access to clean water and appropriate sanitation facilities is difficult.

Getting vaccinated against typhoid is advised, especially if you plan to explore rural areas or indulge in local street food during your Vietnam trip.

Hepatitis B

This is a viral infection that is spread through infected blood and blood products. This can include spread during sexual intercourse (greatest risk in men who have sex with men or who change partners frequently), and sharing of needles or medical instruments.

It is prevalent in South East Asia and vaccination should be considered depending on what activities you are planning, how long you are planning to stay and if you have any underlying medical conditions.

Risk is increased for those who may require medical treatment during their trip.

Rabies

Depending on the region that you’re visiting and the activities that you’re planning, we may advise a rabies vaccination. Rabies is spread through the saliva of infected animals (especially dogs, cats, bats and monkeys), usually via a bite, scratch or lick to broken skin. There is a higher risk of contracting rabies if:

• You’re visiting a remote or rural area (limited access to urgent medical care)
• You’re a longer-stay traveller
• You’re planning to engage in outdoor activities (trekking, cycling, running etc.) in high-risk areas
• You’re working with or are regularly handling animals or bats 

Even if you received a full course of pre-travel rabies vaccines, it is essential that you seek urgent medical advice if you’re bitten by any animal whilst travelling in Vietnam or Southeast Asian countries.

Rabies vaccine is NOT a complete vaccine, so requires follow-up if you are bitten. 

It is useful to know what follow-up is required, especially if you are in an area where access to medical care can be challenging. 

• Patients who have previously received either pre-exposure rabies vaccines should receive two additional rabies vaccine boosters following an exposure, given on days 0 and 3. Patients who have been previously vaccinated SHOULD NOT receive human rabies-specific immunoglobulin (HRIG).

However, if you are bitten and have had no rabies vaccine, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be given and consists of a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and rabies vaccines given on the day of the rabies exposure, and then a dose of vaccine given again on days 3, 7, and 14.

Japanese Encephalitis

This is recommended if you are considered to be at high risk. Most people travelling to Vietnam will not require this vaccine.

If you are visiting rice paddies and unable to avoid mosquito bites between dusk and dawn, it may be advised, particularly in long-stay travellers to rural areas. This mosquito-borne viral infection is prevalent in certain regions of Vietnam during the rainy season.

Malaria

Although there is no vaccine available for malaria, you should consider anti-malarial treatments in conjunction with measures to avoid mosquito bites when travelling.

Vietnam is considered to be a no-risk/ low-risk area for malaria, depending on the region you are visiting and anti-malarial tablets are not usually advised.

In some situations they may be considered depending on your individual travel plans, or if you have any underlying medical conditions.

Mosquito avoidance measures are ESSENTIAL for all travellers to this area.

Consultation with a healthcare professional

It’s important to note that the specific vaccines needed may vary based on your individual health status, immunisation history, and the duration and nature of your trip. Therefore, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional or a travel health clinic well in advance of your departure. 

You can do this quickly and conveniently via our new online Travel Health Assessment service! Through this service, we can provide personalised advice based on your unique circumstances and ensure you receive the appropriate vaccinations for your Vietnam travel plans.

Safe And Happy Travels

Protecting your health should be a priority when visiting Vietnam or any foreign country. By staying informed about the recommended vaccines and seeking professional medical advice, you can minimise the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases and have a safe and enjoyable experience in this enchanting destination. Remember to plan ahead, stay up to date with your routine vaccinations, and consult with a healthcare professional to ensure you are fully prepared for your Vietnam adventure!

Safe travels!