Recommended Vaccinations for East Asia

When traveling to East Asia, it is important to take precautions against infectious diseases transmitted through food, water, and insects. The most common risks include hepatitis A and typhoid fever, which are transmitted via the fecal-oral route; prevention involves vaccination and good hygiene.

Tetanus also poses a risk, especially in the event of injuries caused by contaminated soil or rusty objects. Rabies is a risk following contact with dogs, cats, or wild animals; prompt post-exposure prophylaxis is necessary in the event of high-risk exposure.

It is also important to take precautions against mosquitoes, as there are many areas at risk for malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, and Japanese encephalitis, especially in rural and tropical regions. There is no vaccine for malaria; prevention involves using insect repellents, mosquito nets, and chemoprophylaxis. A vaccine is available for Japanese encephalitis and is recommended for stays longer than 1 month or for those who spend a lot of time outdoors.