Vaccines (Vaccinations) for Those Studying or Traveling in "South Asia"
Target Regions
India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, etc.
South Asia is a region where typhoid is particularly common. Getting vaccinated beforehand can greatly reduce the risk of infection through food and drinking water.
There are many stray and free-roaming dogs, and India has the highest number of rabies patients. In addition to avoiding stray dogs, getting vaccinated is highly recommended.
Pakistan is a country where polio is endemic, so be sure to check your vaccination history.
Vaccines for Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis A, measles and rubella, and tetanus are also recommended.
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Recommended Vaccines
| Vaccine | Level of recommendation | Vaccines available | Number of doses | Price (all tax included) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| measles | ◎ | MMR (Priorix or MMRⅡ) | 1 to 2 doses | 10,000 yen |
| rubella | ||||
| tetanus※1※3 | ◎ | tetanus toxoid | 1 or 3 doses★ | 4,000 yen |
| hepatitis A※2 | ◎ | Aimmugen | 3 doses | 16,500 yen |
| Havisure | 2 doses | 13,000 yen | ||
| typhoid | ◎ | Typbar TCV | 1 dose | 10,000 yen |
| rabies | ◎ | ChiroRab | 3 doses | 13,000 yen |
| Japanese encephalitis | ◎ | ENCEVAC | 1 or 3 doses★ | 7,500 yen |
| hepatitis B※2 | 〇 recommended for long-term stays | Bimmugen | 3 doses | 7,000 yen |
| polio※3 | 〇 recommended for areas where cases occur | Imovax Polio | 1 or 3 doses★ | 9,000 yen |
| influenza | 〇 recommended during the epidemic season | influenza HA vaccine | 1 dose as a rule | 4,000 yen |
| malaria | △ recommended for rural areas where cases occur | Malarone | Start taking it 1 to 2 days before travel Take 1 tablet once a day Continue for 1 week after returning home | 750 yen/tablet |
| Mephaquin | Start taking it 1 to 2 weeks before travel Take 1 tablet once a week Continue for 4 weeks after returning home, then finish | 1,100 yen/tablet |
★ 1 dose if the primary series was completed in childhood
※1 We also carry Tdap (tetanus, pertussis and diphtheria) at 9,000 yen (tax included).
※2 We also carry a hepatitis A and hepatitis B combination vaccine (Twinrix) at 13,000 yen (tax included).
※3 We also carry DPT-IPV (tetanus, pertussis, diphtheria and polio) at 12,000 yen (tax included).
Diseases to watch out for at your destination are explained in detail on the page below.
Precautions During Your Stay
Preventing Infections from Food and Drink
Care is needed regarding infections transmitted through food and drink.
Contamination of tap water with bacteria, viruses, parasites, heavy metals and the like is frequently reported.
Dairy products such as yogurt and ice cream can be contaminated with bacteria, viruses and other pathogens if they have been stored poorly or made from inadequately sterilized milk.
Avoid eating food raw; make sure it is thoroughly heated and eat it while it is still hot.
Hepatitis A and typhoid, which are transmitted via food and water, can be prevented with vaccination beforehand.
Mosquito-Bite Prevention
In South Asia, cases of dengue fever, malaria and Japanese encephalitis, which are transmitted by mosquitoes, occur.
Because the risk is high, mosquito-bite prevention is essential.
A dengue fever vaccine is available in some countries, but fundamentally, measures to avoid mosquito bites (wearing long sleeves, using insect repellent spray), etc., are effective.
Risk of Contact with Wild Animals, Including Rabies
India has the highest number of rabies patients in the world.
Many rabies cases are also reported in other parts of South Asia.
There are many stray and free-roaming dogs, and even in urban areas there are animals such as cattle and monkeys.
Take care not to approach or touch animals.
Rabies vaccination is also highly recommended.
If you are bitten by an animal, please seek medical attention immediately.
Appointments
Vaccination is available without an appointment.
Because we give priority to those with appointments, please book below if your schedule is already set.
– Maternal and Child Health Handbook (a copy or a photo is also acceptable)
– Documents (if you would like a medical certificate or vaccination certificate issued in a specified format, please bring the documents)
For vaccines and vaccinations for other regions, please see this page.
＜Dr. Satoshi Kutsuna＞
Specialist in infectious disease internal medicine, PhD in medicine.
For about 10 years he was engaged in travel medicine and imported infectious disease care at the National Center for Global Health and Medicine Hospital (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo), home to Japan's largest travel clinic, and he continues to be involved in activities including clinical practice and research today.
His other areas of specialty are emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and COVID infection, and he works to raise awareness of infectious diseases through a variety of outlets including the media and the internet.
He also sees patients at our clinic as a part-time physician and supervises our Travel Medicine.
