Vaccinations for China: What you should know before you go

If you’re planning a trip abroad you should do some research to stay safe and healthy on your journey. With plenty to do and see, China is a very popular destination for long-term or short-term visitors, but you may need to get vaccinated ahead of time to protect you from some diseases, especially if you’ve never traveled to the country or continent before. This guide can help you understand what you need to know about vaccines before you take your trip.

Immunisations, shots, vaccinations, is there a difference? What are they really?

The difference between immunisations, shots and vaccinations can be confusing. These three things are different, but they're all part of the same process. Let’s start with a shot. You’ll probably be familiar with getting a shot at the doctor’s office. A common example is the annual flu shot. The substance that's in the shot is a vaccine. The vaccine enters your body and gives you immunity from that particular disease or illness. A typical vaccine usually contains an agent that resembles the disease, so it might make you feel sick for a short period. This is a sign that your body is recognising the disease and building up your immune system to fight it. This overall process is immunisation, and it's the safest and most effective way to stop the spread of infectious diseases.

Why should I get vaccinated if I’m travelling?

Getting a vaccine is the most effective way to prevent spreading or catching an infectious disease. When you're travelling your body will be exposed to new elements, including foods, plants, animals, and people. These biological agents could be carriers for bacteria, germs, and strains of diseases that can make you sick if your immune system isn't already resilient.

Vaccines have actually eradicated several diseases in recent history. For example, in the late 1800s, smallpox was responsible for up to 20% of deaths in Europe, but because of an effective vaccine and a worldwide immunisation campaign, the World Health Organisation officially declared that smallpox was eradicated in 1980. This is why most countries recommend or in some cases, they mandate, that visitors or citizens get vaccinated to certain infectious diseases.

What are some recent disease or virus outbreaks in China or Asia that I should be prepared for?

The avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, also commonly known as the “bird flu” was first reported to have infected humans in China in 2013. The World Health Organization has reported several cases of the infection as recently as autumn of 2017. In total there have been more than 1500 cases of bird flu in China since 2013.

In order to avoid contracting bird flu, travellers visiting China should avoid contact with live animals and poultry in particular. You should also wash your hands regularly with soap and water and follow good food safety and hygiene habits.

When should I get vaccinated?

Allowing yourself 4-6 weeks before travelling to get the proper vaccines is good practice. You should check with your doctor to ensure all of your routine vaccinations are up to date, and use the guide below to see if you need any other specific vaccines before travelling to China.

If I travel to China, what vaccinations and shots are required or do I need?

If you’re American, British, or Australian, you aren’t usually required to get vaccinations unless you have specific health problems or are traveling under specific circumstances or for long periods of time. For example, British nationals entering China for more than 6 months will need a health certificate legalised by the Chinese Embassy that includes a blood test for HIV.

All nationalities should plan to be up-to-date on routine vaccinations that you get in your home country, like measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and diphtheria-tetanus-polio (DTap). Here is a run-down of some of the commonly-recommended vaccinations for China:

When is the best time to travel to China?

Mosquitos that carry diseases like malaria thrive in warm weather and rain. China is a big country and the weather and climate varies depending on where you’re headed. In the popular regions of the north and east, which include cities like Beijing and Shanghai, the summer months of July and August tend to be the hottest and wettest. However, influenza (flu) viruses tend to thrive in cold weather when people’s immune systems are weaker. In the north and east regions in China, winter months would be December - February.

What if I get sick while I’m in China? Who do I call for an emergency?

The emergency number in China is 119. You can get an ambulance by dialing 120. For more information about healthcare or emergency information you can visit:

• The Chinese Ministry of Public Health
• U.S. Embassy and Consulates in China
• Emergency help for British nationals in China
• Australian Embassy in China

China is a vast and beautiful country with so much to experience. You can visit the bustling cities or get a glimpse of majestic history on the Great Wall. If you’re planning a trip to this unique country you should prepare yourself by getting the correct vaccines ahead of time. This way you can stay safe and healthy and focus on enjoying your trip.