Question Vaccines for Indonesia

[Kendall Raine]

I should add that my friend is Brazillian-the country with the highest incidence of Dengue. While she said she'd never had it before, she simply might have not known if she did. If she did, she'd be particularly vulnerable in the case of reinfection (particularly from a different serotype). That could explain the severity of her symptoms. I mention this to contextualize the story. Also, DHF is a small percentage of Dengue cases.

 

[Seaweed Doc]

Make sure you're current on all the standard vaccines. These days for kids born in the US, that's going to be things like polio, measles, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B. Us older folks had to get the hepA and hepB shots later in life. If you're old enough, you might want to get another measles shot. Apparently they're finding they almost last a lifetime, but not quite. Or at least the versions given in the late 1960's and early 1970's had issues. Hence only us old people get the late-life "booster"

I got the Japanese encephalitis series a couple years ago, but where I was staying it likely wasn't a risk. I think that's good for life.

I didn't do malaria meds on my last visit (a month ago, north Bali), because there aren't a lot of mosquitoes where I stay and it was dry season. Note that it's rare for folks to be prescribed things like chloroquine (or other quinine-derivatives) these days because of psychological effects. Last I heard, they won't prescribe to people under 25 because it causes suicidal ideations. (I used to take it, starting at around age 27. Gave me weird dreams and made me acutely aware of my own mortality.) These days if I take it at all it's one of the antibiotics (can't recall which) that also provides malaria resistance.

I always to typhoid. The last time I got it I can't recall, but I know coming out of the COVID pandemic they only had the shot (good for 2 years) and not the pills (good for 5 years). I think I took the pills last November, so was still good for that. (Or else the shot; either way I was covered.)

Rabies vaccines are incredible expensive and you're likely to know if you've been bit or scratched by a mammal that carries rabies. I've heard (check with your doctor) that only folks who expect to be around and handling animals that carry rabies should get the shot.

A little off topic, but if you're "of an age" and had chicken pox as a child, you might want to do the shingles series. My brother in law got shingles a day before flying to Hawai'i for vacation with us. That was no fun for him, though he survived....

 

[donnad]

Thanks everyone. This thread is helping me to make notes of what to consider.

 

[Umuntu]

Note that it's rare for folks to be prescribed things like chloroquine (or other quinine-derivatives) these days because of psychological effects.

Gin and tonic … or just tonic … was a popular evening drink amongst colonials in Africa because of the Quinine in tonic. And it's a nice drink too …

 

[Seaweed Doc]

Gin and tonic … or just tonic … was a popular evening drink amongst colonials in Africa because of the Quinine in tonic. And it's a nice drink too …

Indeed it is! Refreshing when you're in some place particularly hot and humid.

 

[divingdayz]

You should not miss out on Dengue fever, japanese encephalitis and rabies.

Definetly Dengue.

 

[donnad]

Besides bringing Pepto and plenty of Deet (at least a 40%)....bring an Antibiotic like amoxicillin...this comes from someone who has been in Raja Ampat all over Sulawesi at least 21 times and Bali at least 12 times....those Malaria Meds....I tried those in the early 2000's got very sick with those....Enjoy the diving it is Great!!

Hi. Will a picardin based repellent work instead of deet? I don’t like that “destructive” factor about deet/having to be so careful about what it touches.

 

[donnad]

My two cents:

I always get the typhoid vaccine when going to developing countries – the oral version lasts for five years. A simple precaution; you could be exposed by a variety of routes even if you are careful, e.g. you don't know how your food is prepared.

I would get the Hepatitis A vaccine. To catch Hepatitis B you generally need to be exposed to another person's bodily fluids, e.g. blood or semen, similar to HIV. So unless there is a chance you will be engaging in sexual activity with the locals, probably not necessary.

Malaria prophylactics, e.g. malarone, would be advisable in some parts of Indonesia but not necessary for others. I would try to get local information if you can.

Did you get nausea,or diahhrrea or other side effects from the oral typhoid vaccine? I was kinda leaning toward the injection even though it just lasts two years.

 

[Bulenyasar97]

Hi. Which of the following vaccines do most of you get before going to Indonesia ? I have not been there before (the CDC recommends all of these). Polio booster, Chikungunya vaccine, Typhoid vaccine, Hepatitis A , Hepatitis B, and take Malaria medicine. Thanks in advance.

Please make sure you get your meningococcal as well. My friend in Sulawesi never got theirs and unfortunately passed away from meningitis in 2022

 

[donnad]

Please make sure you get your meningococcal as well. My friend in Sulawesi never got theirs and unfortunately passed away from meningitis in 2022

Oh my goodness. How terrible. Did your friend live there?