In Reply to: Vaccinations posted by blue on Monday, 8. August 2005 at 05:36 Bali Time:
I advise you go and speak to your family GP. We went to Bali last year and are returning in October. We took our children last year although are not taking them this year. We have consulted our GP on both occasions. Your son probably wont need to have tetanus if all his immunisations are up to date. We were advised that Hep A was not necessary (but could have if we wanted) and advised that if we did not drink the water, use water to brush teeth, peeled our own fruit and did not eat at road side stalls we would be fine. If you are however staying in the mountains or in an actual village for some time then vaccs are necessary. If your son's immunisations are up to date there also should be no need to have typhoid or polio either. You can take Malaria tablets while away however if travelling in dry season the risk is very low of contracting. It is advised that you use tropical strength aeroguard at dusk and dawn. Also many do not realise that you can still contract Malaria while taking the anti Malaria tablets you just will not show symptoms until you cease taking them. This happened with my brother in laws father. Hep B should not be of real concern as at 12 I doubt he will be sexual active. Saying all of that, I do still strongly advise as I said that you go and speak with your GP and make an informed decision as to whether your son requires any vaccinations and which he is already covered for with his routine immunisations.
Cheers Jacqui