2 Responses

1. Hello pet, got a bit of a random question for you here after we had a meeting with the Health Service folks – did you get the Japanese B encephalitis vaccine before leaving for Tokyo?

   I’m not sure whether I really need it because you’re only really at risk in paddy fields and/or swamps and it’s £60-odd quid to get it done but I am a bit scared by the idea of it. Like how I’m considering getting the rabies vaccines even though there’s no risk in Japan whatsoever just because the woman kept going on about it being A HORRIBLE DEATH.

   Anyway you don’t have to answer here if you don’t want (failed_heterosexual @ hotmail.com ?) and I understand if you go NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS YOU NOSEY SECOND-YEAR but… yeah. Just wondering!

2. Bugger I just wrote a nice long reply, then accientally navigated away from here and onto the Department of Health’s homepage.

   Basically, I’m against vaccinations, and I would say unless you’re going to Okinawa then don’t bother. It sounds like a most unpleasant experience (accorded to jason who is now in Okinawa). (mind youm the symptoms also sound quite unpleasant!)

   I didn’t actually bother going to the health talk either cos I’m a naughty boy, it’s all in lonely planet anyway…!

   Here’s a bot of advice from one travel site:

   “Summary of recommendations:

   No special immunizations or medications are necessary for most trips to Japan.

   Japanese encephalitis vaccine is recommended for long-term (greater than 1 month) travelers to rural areas or travelers who may engage in extensive unprotected outdoor activities in rural areas, especially in the evening, during shorter trips. Rare human cases of Japanese encephalitis are reported on all islands except Hokkaido, though animal cases occur there. Transmission is from June to September except on the Ryuku Islands (Okinawa), where transmission is from April to October.

   The vaccine (JE-VAX; Aventis Pasteur Inc.) (PDF) is given as a series of three injections on days 0, 7 and 30. If time is short, the third dose may be given on day 14. Mild side effects including fever, headache, muscle aches, malaise and soreness at the injection site occur in about 20% of those vaccinated. Serious allergic reactions including urticaria, angioedema, respiratory distress and anaphylaxis occur in approximately 0.6% of vaccinees and may occur as long as one week after vaccination. Any person who receives the vaccine should be observed in the doctor’s office for at least 30 minutes following the injection and should complete the full series at least 10 days before departure.”

   Sounds grim if you ask me. More likely to get run over by a bus tomorrow, but that doesn’t make me walk the streets in a huge metal cage…

   🙂