Vaccinations for Thailand (1 & 4 yr old dc)

[Izpie]

I know hep A and typhoid are recommended and am pretty sure my 15m old is too young for any, but am not sure about vaccinating my 4 year old. Just wondered if anyone had any thoughts or has done any research?

We're in Bangkok and then Ko-Lanta, which is an island but not very rural. We're staying in reasonable places but more huts on the beach than big resorts.

Thanks

Can you be absoloutly sure that all your food / drink has been handled in a sanitary fashion? That includes ice in drinks.

Are you sure you can keep any flying insects that may have been feeding on human waste from comming in contact with your children?

It is probably best to talk to your doctor or a travel clinic.

Dd1 has been to Thailand 6 times,low risk malaria areas. We didn't have the vaccinations. We did go to Vietnam and had all of them, we had to hold her down,she was 4'whilst the dr put the needle in. Whenever we go on holiday she now stresses she wil have to have a needle.

On the other hand we came back from Thailand and she was unwell,vomited and collapsed in dr surgery. When we were finally seen the dr had to call the hospital of tropical diseases because of her symptoms. He thought she had malaria, turned out to be a virus. Did scare me though. Dr gave me a bollocking for not vaccinating until he looked at the map of where we had been. Was very low risk.

I would err on the safe side and have them. I wouldn't want to be in a situation where a hcp thought I was an irresponsible mother. Also if you have the injections get your dc done first. Dd saw me being injected and dived under the table. The intra muscular ones are very painful.

I live in Bangkok, moved when DD was 2. She has hep A, typhoid/cholera and Japanese encephalitis on top of normal uk vaccinations. Malaria isn't really a risk, but dengue is, so good tropical strength insect repellent is a must, must, must. Also antihistamines in case you get bitten by sand flies which is likely if you are on the beach in Lanta at sundown or when very cloudy. Tap water is fine to drink in Bangkok, but no one drinks it because bottled water is so cheap. In Lanta, be more careful, perhaps avoid ice in drinks. Usual precautions about being careful what you eat from buffets and uncooked foods such as salads and ready peeled fruit apply.

And if you are coming now, it's blazing hot, so lots of sun screen and big hats. Probably a sun suit rather than a swimsuit for little one. Sainsburys or tesco sell cheap ones that will do for a holiday.

I've been looking recently and all the decent strength insect repellents are not suitable for children. Is this right??

There's a good Jungle formula one which is fine for Kids, but we just use the Boots Kid insect repellent wipes - that should be fine. DD uses them and never gets bitten - I think the superstrength ones are more for trekking in the jungle rather than lounging on the beach in Thailand.

DD had all the vaccinations, she's fine.
With regard to mozzie reppelant, we used one in a glass bottle that you roll on. Can't remember the name of it.
DD seldom got bitten. On one occasion Dengue was suspected. I was terrified since her Thai teacher's son had recently died of it.
She just had a headache. You can buy it very reasonably (200 baht IIRC) or off. It is an aerosol and you can get the unscented variety.