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Ask The Travel Doctor-TMVC

Q: We want to travel to Asia next April with two children, one will be two and half and the other will be four months. Once in Asia we are happy to go to a resort such as Phuket etc. We really don't want to vaccinate our children as we feel they will be too young for this. Is it safe for us to go? If not, is there anywhere in Asia which is safe for us to go?

Jennifer

 

A:  Most family holidays can be accommodated if a safe destination is selected. A tourist environment like Phuket provides a suitably safe location for families, as high-risk disease like malaria is not present. Food and water diseases still exist of course, and insects and animals present some hazards, but with good preparation, you can manage those risks. The most important vaccines for all children are the routine childhood ones, and of course all those disease are more common outside Australia. So the first priority will be to ensure that both children are fully up-to-date for age with the usual routine vaccines, and the baby has had the second round of vaccines before departure. Travel-specific vaccines can commence at about 12 months of age, and so the baby will be too young for any of those. You therefore will control the baby's environment largely by breast feeding, sterile water, safe foods, bed-net and repellent. For the toddler, vaccination against hepatitis-A is considered important and can be easily done by our experienced nursing staff. Any other vaccines are unlikely but dependent on you actual activities and length of stay. The ideal time for a travel health consultation for the family is 4-6 weeks before departure. So see you in February!

Dr Tony

 

Disclaimer: Information provided in this health column is of a general nature & should not replace specific advice from your own personal Travel doctor-TMVC consultation.
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