Holiday Travel Vaccinations Guide for Expats Living in China

Whenever travelling overseas, it’s always important to schedule an appointment with your doctor to check whether you need any particular vaccinations or medications for the country you are visiting. Ideally, this should happen around six weeks before you travel. Your doctor will be able to assess any individual health risks as well as those of the country you are visiting, before recommending any vaccinations or medications that are advisable, for example antimalaria tablets.

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Before any trip overseas it is important to check that you are up-to-date with all of your routine vaccinations. These include the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella, also known as German measles); the DTAP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, also known as whooping cough); varicella (chickenpox); and polio. It is also sensible to check whether you should receive the vaccination against typhoid.

Hepatitis is a common illness. The Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are widely recommended for everyone. Hepatitis A is easily spread through poor hand washing and poor food preparation hygiene. Hepatitis B is common across Asia, including in China. This is spread through infected blood and blood products, contaminated needles and other medical instruments, and sexual intercourse.

If the area you are travelling to has a malaria problem, then antimalarial tablets are essential. In addition to taking this medication, precautions should be taken to try to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes. Such precautions include trying to keep skin covered, for example by wearing long sleeves and trousers, especially after sunset, using insect repellents and, if necessary, sleeping under mosquito nets.

In many countries, travelers over the age of nine months who are are travelling from countries where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission, are required to prove that they are they vaccinated against the disease. This applies even where the traveler has merely transited through an airport in an at-risk country.

Popular Travel Destinations Vaccination Checklist

Most: vaccinations required across most of the country, and are therefore recommended.

Some: vaccinations required in some areas of the country and/or in some circumstances. You should speak to your doctor about these.

Not needed: vaccination not required.

Below is a list of places in Beijing and Shanghai that are able to provide the vaccinations detailed above. In each case, clicking on the name of the hospital or clinic will take you to their address and contact details. In all cases, an appointment is required. A consultation fee will typically be charged in addition to the cost of the vaccination.

The International Travel Healthcare Centers –  specifically, the Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau –  listed below, in both cities, are government affiliated health care centers. They provide services including travel health consultations, physical examinations, and vaccinations. As these centers also undertake the health checks that are necessary for work visa applications, there is a high possibility that you have already attended one of these centers. There are usually more than one of these centers in each city, so check their websites to find out which is closest. As already mentioned, their websites can be accessed through clicking on the name of the hospital or clinic below. Please note that all prices are given in renminbi (CNY), and are correct as of 1 February 2018.

Shanghai

Beijing

It is worth noting that the number of vaccinations required may vary from clinic to clinic, dependent on the particular vaccination type that they use. A consultation fee is likely to be charged in addition to the cost of the vaccination itself.

Travel vaccinations may not be covered by your insurance plan, so check with your provider or broker prior to receiving treatment. In many cases, direct billing is not available for travel vaccinations, so you may be required to pay yourself and submit a claim for reimbursement.

In addition to ensuring that you have received all of the appropriate vaccinations, you should discuss with your doctor any other conditions or problems that you should be prepared for. Such problems include traveler’s diarrhea, blood clots in the legs (DVT), and animal bites. You should also ensure that you have adequate health insurance in place should you unfortunately need to visit the emergency room while you traveling. Should you have concerns about your insurance levels, or wish to purchase a plan before taking your trip, then please click here to get a quote.

Important note / Disclaimer: The above information is only intended as a general reference or guideline to assist with your planning prior to taking a trip. You should consult your Doctor prior to travel to see if you need a specific vaccination. There is often conflicting advice on what vaccinations are required for specific countries or areas within a country.

The information is provided in good faith and every effort has been taken to ensure that it is accurate and up-to-date. Any person relying on any of the information contained in this summary guide or making any use of the information contained herein shall do so at their own risk. The information is supplied on the condition that any person accessing or using the information will make his or her own determination as to the accuracy and usefulness of the information. China Expat Health hereby disclaims any liability and shall not be held liable for any damages including, without limitation, direct, indirect or consequential damages. We will promptly correct any errors brought to our attention. If you find an error please contact us. We cannot accept responsibility for the supply of incorrect information copied within this document. E&OE.