The Travel Doctor
Traveller's medical & vaccination centre
Ask The Travel Doctor-TMVC
Q: Hi, my family and I are heading to Malaysia for three weeks, spending some time in Sarawak - mainly Kuching & visiting nearby National Parks, then heading across to Peninsula Malaysia & up to the east coast to a resort island off Terrenganu. We have received mixed advice regarding vaccinations, malaria precautions etc - one travel agent advising we did not need any. Could you please advise our best approach.
Martin, S. A.
A: Indeed, the travel agent is not correct in advising that no health precautions are required. While the trip is not high-risk, it is absolutely appropriate that vaccination and consideration of malaria risk is done. While Peninsula Malaysia and most of Sarawak present no risk, certain jungle areas in the borders with Kalimantan do have risk, and so a specific travel risk assessment should be done. There are several vaccine preventable diseases that can be acquired in Malaysia. A visit to the Adelaide travel doctor clinic is the appropriate approach.
Dr John
Disclaimer: Information provided in this health column is of a general nature & should not replace specific advice from your own personal Travel doctor-TMVC consultation.
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