Vaccine recommendations for children in Thailand

In the event that parents refuse to provide their consent for their child's vaccination, healthcare workers follow up with parents, explaining the benefits and risks. The child can still attend school if the parents persist, as Thailand has no law requiring full immunisation for school attendance.

Learn more about the vaccines

Hepatitis B vaccine (HepB)

The HepB injection is a crucial and effective measure in providing long-term immunity against hepatitis B infection. Infants who receive the HepB series can expect to be protected from the infection throughout their adult years, significantly reducing the risk of developing severe liver conditions, such as liver cirrhosis, chronic liver disease, and liver cancer.

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine (DTP)

This combination vaccine protects against three diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis—also known as “whooping cough”.

• Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that can cause difficulty breathing, heart failure, and paralysis.

• Tetanus is a bacterial infection that can cause muscle stiffness and painful muscle spasms.

• Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can cause severe coughing fits.

Oral poliovirus (OPV) & inactivated polio vaccine (IPV)

Polio is caused by a virus and can spread from person to person through contaminated food, water or air. The virus enters the body through the mouth and multiplies in the intestines. It then spreads to the bloodstream and infects other organs, which can cause paralysis and death.

Oral poliovirus (OPV) and Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) are two types of vaccines that protect against polio. OPV is an oral vaccine that is administered as drops or a piece of candy and can be used to vaccinate children. Because it contains a live virus, OPV should not be given to people who are immunocompromised or pregnant. IPV is a vaccine that is administered as a shot and can be used to vaccinate adults, adolescents, and children over one year old who have not yet been vaccinated.

Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR)

The MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent measles, mumps, and rubella. It's a combination vaccine that is usually given to children when they are between 12 months and 15 months old.

• Measles is a highly contagious virus that causes fever, red eyes, cough, runny nose, and rash all over the body and inside the mouth.

• Mumps is another highly infectious virus that causes fever, headache, neck stiffness and swollen glands under the ears.

• Rubella is also known as “German measles” because it causes a rash on the face and neck. However, if a pregnant woman catches rubella during her first trimester she is at risk of having a miscarriage or stillbirth.

Japanese B encephalitis vaccine (JEV)

Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-transmitted illness that can lead to encephalitis, meningitis, and death within a week of infection.

Most people who are affected by this disease are young children, who are at the highest risk because they live in rural areas where mosquitoes often bite multiple people and spread infection.

Rotavirus vaccine (Rota)

The rotavirus is a virus that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and fever in children. It can be very serious in babies less than 6 months old, but it’s also possible for older kids to get sick from the virus. It can lead to severe dehydration and even death.

This article is for informational or educational purposes only, and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals.