Vaccinations for travelling to China

VACCINATIONS FOR TRAVELING TO CHINA

For those who are likely to be traveling to China over the next two years, prior to the Olympics, I recommend reviewing your vaccination status. You need to maximise protection for preventable infections that could be encountered in China. Some vaccination schedules take 6 months to complete and occasionally can have minor side effects such as headache and diarrhoea for a few days.  Therefore I would advise getting any required vaccinations in the near future so you are vaccinated before you may be returning overseas. These vaccinations are being provided by the AOC under a sponsorship agreement (see the article under this folder - AOC Vaccination letter). If possible get your vaccination status reviewed at your State Institute of Sport/AIS. If this is not possible, visit your local Travel Medicine Clinic (TMVC) or local GP. Please keep a vaccination card to record the dates you were vaccinated.

The recommended vaccinations for traveling to China are:

Hepatitis A and B

Hepatitis A can be found in the Beijing water supply and food so it is imperative you are vaccinated against this. A non-immuned traveler has a 3:1000 chance of developing Hepatitis A so there is a very high risk of infection if unimmunised.

The vaccination for Hep A (Havrix) consists of 3 doses 12 months apart.

The vaccination for Hep B (Engerix) consists of 3 doses over 6 months.There is also a combination vaccination Hep A/B (Twinrix) with 3 doses over 6 months.

It is possible to use an accelerated regime of Hep A/B of 3 doses over 3 weeks with a final dose at 12 months.

If you are confident you have had these vaccinations in the past you do not require any further vaccination.  If you are unsure whether you have had either Hep A or B vaccinations in the past you can check your immunity with a bloodtest. However, there is no harm in getting additional doses of vaccine; it only gives you higher protection.  If you know you have not had these vaccinations organise to have these done as soon as possible.

Typhoid

Typhoid is transmitted from contaminated food and drink and can cause a severe illness with fever, abdominal pain, etc.. It is recommended all travelers to South East Asia are vaccinated.

The typhoid vaccination can be obtained as a single injection or orally as 4 doses of tablets. It is recommended to have a booster every 3 years.

Review of childhood vaccinations

• Diptheria/Tetanus/Whooping cough
• Polio
• Measles/Mumps/Rubella
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• Meningococcus

Most of you should have had these vaccinations as a child. Usually a booster dose is administered at the age of 15 to 17 years of age. It is recommended you have a booster every 10 years for Diptheria/Tetanus/ Whooping Cough/Polio if travelling to endemic countries such as China. This can be obtained as a single vaccine (Boostrix-IPV).( If you are younger than 25 years old and are confident you had a booster at 15 to 17 years you will not require a booster.)

It is recommended all susceptible adults are immunised against varicella. A blood test can be done to determine prior infection or immunisation if you are unsure.

Influenza

It is highly recommended you consider an influenza vaccination in the autumn to reduce the risk of developing influenza while in China. Adverse effects can occur, such as minor lethargy, fever and local pain. It should be timed depending on preparation in your training and competition schedule.

A Vaccination Status form has been sent to you via email.  Please save this form to your computer, underline the correct answers and email the completed form to Dr Judith May (blair.may@bigpond.com).

If you have any questions in regard to any medical matters, please call Dr Judith May on 0409 232 404 or email blair.may@bigpond.com