Frequently Asked Questions
1 - Should I take antimalarial tablet in Thailand?
No. We do not recommend travelers to take antimalarial tablets in Thailand. However, it doesn’t mean that you do not need to prevent malaria. Mosquito bite prevention is strongly recommended.
There are several reasons why we do not recommend the use of antimalarial tablets in Thailand
1. The risk for someone to get malaria in Thailand is very, very low. Most part of Thailand is malaria free. We do have some risks but confine only in the jungle and forested area especially in the border area. There is no risk in the city or in urban area. Most tourist destinations are malaria free including Phuket, Samui, Pattaya, city of Chiangmai.2. In Southeast Asia, we have a problem of multidrug resistance malaria. So no antimalarial medication is 100% effective. Moreover, you may develop some side effects from antimalarial medication.
3. Malaria is not difficult to treat if we could begin the treatment early. Most fatal cases of malaria usually result from delay diagnosis and treatment. That means whenever you develop fever while or after traveling in malaria risk area, please seek for medical facility. Fortunately, health care facility in Thailand is widely available throughout the kingdom. We have malaria clinics, district hospitals, provincial hospitals and regional hospitals. All of the medical facility level especially in malaria risk area could give the diagnosis and treatment of malaria.
If you plan to rural areas of Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia or Vietnam. The situation and our recommendation may not be the same. Please consult the qualified medical professionals in this issue.
2 - Do I need to see a doctor in order to get a shot or get malaria pills?
Yes, absolutely. Our doctor will review your general health status, allergies, previous vaccination history as well as detail of your trip in order to provide a sound recommendation for you.
3- Why the price of vaccine in your clinic is so low when compare to the US or European countries?
Here are some facts and explanation;
1. Some "travel" vaccines in the western countries are actually the routine ones in Thailand. Such as Hepatitis B vaccine and JE vaccine; these two vaccines have been included in our national program of immunization for many years. We give it to every people in Thailand in their childhood. So we have to spend a huge amount of vaccine per year when compare to the western countries. Therefore we could get a lower price just due to the economy of scale.
2. Moreover, like many medications, the pharmaceutical company usually set the price structure different from country to country. The GDP and the purchasing power of people in each country are usually the factors that they consider.
3. So according to #2,#3; we could buy most vaccines much cheaper than in the western countries. And in our clinic, just to clarify, we use only vaccines from reputable pharmaceutical manufacturers such as GSK, Sanofi Pasteur, Crucell, Berna Biotech, etc. All vaccines have to be approved from our FDA also.
4. Apart from that, our clinic and our hospital are not-for-profit organization. Our mission is to provide an excellent medical services to all, regardless Thai or foreigners. So we do not set another vaccine/medication pricing for foreigners. Everyone attends our clinic will pay the same vaccine price. (You may visit our vaccine price list in Thai here
and compare to the English page).
However, we do not recommend travelers to get their vaccine in the destination. Ideally, every travelers should get all vaccines before arrival. Since all vaccines will not work immediately, they need time to make our body develop the immunity against specific diseases. So complete the shot as early as possible is the best way to ensure maximum protection.
4 - Do I need an appointment before visiting our clinic?
No, you don't. You could just "walk-in" during our office time (Mon-Fri, 8.00 to 15.30 and Saturday (9.00-12.00). However, for your convenience, it is recommended to make an appointment .
5 - How long will the whole vaccination process take?
Most traveler will complete the whole vaccination process within 1.5 hour (1 hour and 30 minute). Time breakdown is as follow;
1 Fill the Health questionnaire and complete the registration process 10-15 minutes
2 Consult with our doctor 20-30 minutes
3 Payment and get the shots 10-15 minutes
4 Observe in our clinic 30 minutes
For your convenience, please make an appointment and fill the Health Questionnaire online. So you will get step#1 done before you arrive.
If you choose to "walk-in", it is still possible to complete the whole process within 1.5 hour in best case (no other clients waiting), otherwise there will be some waiting time.
