Major FAQ – China

Immunizations/Vaccinations

We strongly recommended volunteers to be vaccinated before travel to China. Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications by CDC (http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationChina.aspx)

Recommended

The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to China. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.

Routine: Recommended if you are not up-to-date with routine shots such as, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, etc.

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG): Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in countries with an intermediate or high level of hepatitis A virus infection (see map) where exposure might occur through food or water. Cases of travel-related hepatitis A can also occur in travelers to developing countries with "standard" tourist itineraries, accommodations and food consumption behaviors.

Typhoid: Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in Southeast Asia, especially if visiting smaller cities, villages or rural areas and staying with friends or relatives where exposure might occur through food or water.

Polio: Recommended for adult travelers who have received a primary series with either inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) or oral polio vaccine (OPV). They should receive another dose of IPV before departure.

Japanese encephalitis: Recommended if you plan to visit rural farming areas and under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of Japanese encephalitis, see country-specific information.

Hepatitis B: Recommended for all unvaccinated persons traveling to or working in countries with intermediate to high levels of endemic HBV transmission (see map) and who might be exposed to blood or body fluids, have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment, such as for an accident and for all adults requesting protection from HBV infection.

Rabies: Recommended for travelers spending a lot of time outdoors, especially in rural areas, involved in activities such as bicycling, camping, hiking, or work. In addition, children are considered at higher risk because they tend to play with animals and may not report bites.