Vaccinations for Japan: What you should know before you go

Japan is generally viewed as a medically-safe location for tourists with high-quality medical care. If you’re visiting Japan for a holiday or short-term visit, you aren’t required to get vaccinations, no matter where you’re from. However, you should still take care to be prepared for a new environment and exposure to new foods and bacteria that could disrupt your system. Here are some recommendations to follow before you travel.

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

Shots, vaccinations, and immunisations are all different, but are part of the process of making your body more resistant to unfamiliar germs and infectious diseases. The process of immunisation entails exposing yourself to a very small dose of a certain disease. You get a shot of the vaccination in your arm, leg or other substantial part of your body. This process will protect you against the disease as your body develops the antibodies to cope with the exposure at a manageable level. Sometimes, immunisation requires a round of shots over a certain time frame, other times it’s administered all at once.

Why should I get vaccinated if I’m travelling?

It’s important to be up-to-date on your vaccines when you travel, because you’ll encounter unfamiliar germs and diseases. When you spend time in a new climate, you’re not used to the temperatures, the food, the ecosystems, or the wildlife. All of those factors can have an effect on how vulnerable you are to disease. Vaccinations can help steel your body against some of these germs in a more controlled way that ultimately protects you.

Some countries require vaccinations because they know that their environments have a high risk of foreigners contracting certain diseases. Other countries just recommend them but don’t require them, and Japan is one of those.

In general, vaccinations help to control the spread of disease. They ensure that you don’t carry a disease back home with you after contracting it when you visit a new place. You protect yourself, but equally as important, you protect those in your home environment with weaker immune systems, like babies and the elderly.

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

Within the past few years, measles outbreaks have been an ongoing problem in Japan. The high season for measles outbreaks tends to be spring and summer. Although the number of cases is on the decline, you could still be susceptible if you aren’t vaccinated.

Another ongoing issue in Japan is the norovirus, which recently hit a peak number of cases since 2006. The virus can cause infectious gastroenteritis which has side effects of stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhea. You can mitigate the risk by practicing proper hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting potentially contaminated surfaces, and washing laundry frequently and thoroughly.

Japan also had an outbreak of Dengue Fever in 2014, with 162 cases reported nationwide. It’s not likely that you’ll be exposed to this disease, but to avoid it entirely will be difficult, as it is spread through mosquitoes, which are very common during Japan’s hot and muggy summers.

When should I get vaccinated?

Before visiting Japan, you should check in with your doctor about four to six weeks prior to your trip. Make sure you’re all caught up on your routine vaccinations. Most vaccinations are given within a four-week window of your departure.

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

You’re not obligated to get any shots to enter Japan for the holidays or short-term travel. However, your home country probably requires you to be vaccinated against the following:

• measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine
• the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine or TDAP
• the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
• the polio vaccine
• an annual flu shot

So as long as you’ve had those vaccines done, you can rest assured that you’ve taken the necessary precautions before your trip.

Nevertheless, certain regions and times of year will make you more vulnerable. You may want to look into the following vaccinations:

When is the best time to travel to Japan?

Japan can have hot and muggy summers, so if you want to avoid heat, and all the germs that come along with it, go to Japan during late spring or autumn (March through May, September through November). There isn't a lot of rainfall during those times and temperatures tend to be mild. You might also catch a glimpse of the cherry blossoms in spring or the autumn leaves this way.

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

Japan is a sophisticated country with a complex infrastructure, so if you get sick, you’re probably not too far from a hospital or urgent care center. Through Japan’s public health system, you might only have to pay 30% of the cost of medical treatment, depending on your insurance. If you do get sick or undergo an emergency, here are some of your options:

• Call 119 - for emergency medical care. They can connect you both in English and Japanese to emergency services. Make sure to specify that you need emergency aid (kyuukyuu), as opposed to help with a fire.
• Call 110 - for police in case of an accident.
• Find English-speaking clinics in Tokyo
• Contact your embassy or consulate if you’re not sure how to proceed

Japan is a popular destination for tourists, and it’s a clean and hospitable country. Travel always comes with some risk, but if you’re vigilant you should be fine. If you have questions, make sure to consult your physician before you leave. You can always buy some bug spray, wash your hands, and take other basic actions to limit your exposure to germs.