China

Find Out What Vaccinations You Need For

China is a vast and diverse country with a rich history and culture that attracts millions of tourists every year. Visitors can explore ancient landmarks such as the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Warriors, as well as modern cities like Shanghai and Beijing. The country is also known for its delicious cuisine, including dishes like Peking duck and dim sum. China offers a unique travel experience with its stunning natural landscapes, bustling cities, and fascinating traditions. However, visitors should be prepared for cultural differences and language barriers, as well as the country's strict laws and regulations.

Routine Immunizations

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccinations before traveling. Note that many vaccines that are now considered "routine" were not available until recent decades so you may not have received them at all, depending on your age and other factors. Here are a few specific vaccines we would like to call your attention to:

Flu, RSV and Covid-19: Make sure you are up-to-date to minimize your risk of ruining your trip due to illness.
Tetanus should be updated every 10 years especially if you're traveling.
Hepatitis A and B: Hepatitis B was not part of the routine immunization schedule in the U.S. until 1995 and hepatitis A did not become a part of routine childhood immunizations until 2006. So if you were born before 2005 you may need one or both of these vaccines. Many people opt for Hep A only because it is commonly spread through food and water, but Hep B spread through blood and other body fluids is essential too--especially if you find yourself in an under-resourced hospital in the developing world.
Polio: There is currently a global outbreak of polio and the U.S. CDC is recommending adults who have been fully immunized as children get a single life-time booster as an adult before traveling to many global destinations. The CDC's list of polio outbreak countries is constantly updating so check the CDC's polio list to see if your destination is on the list.

Infants, 6 to 11 months old should receive one dose of MMR and Hepatitis A prior to visiting China. This does not count toward routine childhood immunizations.

China Immunization Recommendations and Requirements

Chikungunya Vaccine

CDC recommendations

According to the U.S. CDC, the Chikungunya vaccine may be considered for travelers to China who are (a) 65 years old or older--especially with underlying medical conditions, (b) spending at least 2 weeks in areas where mosquitoes are present, or (c) staying in China for 6 months or more.

About Chikungunya

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne illness that causes a bad fever, joint pain, and rash for 97% of humans within 4 to 7 days of exposure.

About the Chikungunya Vaccine

The chikungunya vaccine recently approved by the FDA is called IXCHIQ, manufactured by Valneva. It's a live, attenuated vaccine and is currently the only chikungunya vaccine licensed in the United States. And, it's given as a single 0.5mL intramuscular dose to adults aged 18 years and older.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

CDC recommendations

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

About Japanese Encephalitis

JE is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable encephalitis in Asia and the Western Pacific. JE is spread by mosquitoes. Most people infected with JE have no symptoms but a small number experience brain swelling (encephalitis).

About the JE Vaccine

Ixiaro, the JE vaccine, is given as a 2-dose series 7 (accelerated) or 28 days apart. The accelerated schedule is not available for children.

Rabies Vaccine

CDC recommendations

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

About Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease spread through the bite of rabid animals. The rabies virus infects the brain and spine of mammals, ultimately leading to death. Once the disease is established there is no effective treatment and most people die from it.

About the Rabies Vaccine

A 2-dose pre-exposure rabies vaccine is available. The vaccine provides protection against rabies for up to 3 years.

Tick-borne Encephalitis Vaccine

CDC recommendations

For travelers moving or traveling to TBE-endemic areas
TBE vaccine is recommended for persons who will have extensive exposure to ticks based on their planned outdoor activities and itinerary.
TBE vaccine may be considered for persons who might engage in outdoor activities in areas ticks are likely to be found.

About Tick-borne Encephalitis

TBE is a virus spread through the bite of an infected tick. Most people infected with TBE experience no symptoms but some have severe symptoms including infection of the brain (encephalitis) or the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).

About the TBE Vaccine

The TBE vaccine is a 3-dose series given at 0, 14 days and 5 months. The vaccine has been in use in Europe for over 20 years. The TBE vaccine is not available for infants under 1 year old.

Typhoid Vaccine

CDC recommendations

The CDC recommends the typhoid vaccine to most travelers who are visiting China. This especially applies to those staying with the locals or visiting smaller towns or rural areas.

About Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever is caused by salmonella bacteria spread through contaminated food and water. Symptoms of typhoid fever include high fever, headache, stomach pain, and constipation or diarrhea.

About the Typhoid Vaccine

There are two typhoid vaccines available: a live, oral vaccine that is taken in the form of 4 pills over the course of a week and an injected inactivated vaccine. The vaccines should be taken (started in the case of oral typhoid) at least 2 weeks prior to travel if possible.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

CDC recommendations

Required for travelers ≥9 months old arriving from countries with risk for YF virus transmission; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission. Travelers with itineraries limited to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) or Macao SAR are exempt from this requirement.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne illness that can cause high fever, muscle pain, headache, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting. It can cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), hence the name "yellow fever."

About the Yellow Fever Vaccine

The yellow fever vaccine is a one-time vaccine that confers life-long immunity to yellow fever virus. Many countries in Africa require proof of yellow fever immunity in order to travel. This requires that (a) yellow fever vaccine has been administered at least ten days prior to entry and (b) the international vaccination card has been properly filled out. The yellow fever vaccine is not available for infants under 9 months old. For travelers who are age 60 or over, or immune-compromised, a yellow fever waiver is often sufficient.

Talk to a travel health specialist

At Away Clinic we specialize in getting travelers ready for their trips to the world's most exotic destinations. We would be glad to assist you at the following locations:

Phoenix AZ Clinic

Chandler AZ Clinic

Scottsdale AZ Clinic

To set up an appointment, see our self-scheduling page, call us at (480) 712-8865‬, or email us.