Flu Shot

[SamSanuk]

Just curious if anyone has researched getting a flu shot in Chiang Mai. I stopped by RAM hospital and was told to come back in November.

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated, whether where to go and/or cost.

 

????

[Presnock]

I have been told by medical people here in CM that the flu season is late August through January.  Normally our dau's school (CMIS) in conjunction with McCormick hospital give the flu shots early Sept but this year due to the covid-19 they cancelled that and advised us to go to a local hospital for the shots.  This year over 65 get 4 different types in the shot and other may get that or only the 3 type shot.  The school also provided costs at various locations which are:

Bangkok Hospital 1150 baht

McCormick Hospital 650 baht

Theppanya Hospital 750 baht

C/M Ram 1300 baht

Sripat med center 1500 baht

Lanna Hospital 800 baht

Rajavej - 1230

  I understand that McCormick has a walk in clinic that gives shots without appointments.  I made an appointment and got my shot at Bangkok Hospital since my dau had to get a shot there anyway.

[Brightly]

Presnock,

 

This is just the information I was looking for!

 

Many thanks.

[uncleP]

My consultant, world renowned and, has consulted both in the USA and Australia tells me that the new flu shot is available late April in Thailand and that early May is when you should get the shot as our flu season is from June on. November is after the main  flu season here and in effect a waste of time. Our flu season is the same as in Australia & not the same as the US or Europe. I always had mine in September and he told me off for being too late.

Edited September 4, 2020 by uncleP

[neilrob]

Last year I had a flu shot at the government owned Chiangmai Travel Medicine Clinic on Sridonchai (location shown on Google Maps). I was there for a yellow fever vaccination before a vacation trip to east Africa. They recommended a flu shot, so I got it also. It was only about 350B, so this may be the cheapest place in CM to get it.

 

This year I was at Ram for a dental appointment a couple of months ago, so I got the shot there. It was about 900B.

[hmficc]

On 9/4/2020 at 8:25 AM, uncleP said:

My consultant, world renowned and, has consulted both in the USA and Australia tells me that the new flu shot is available late April in Thailand and that early May is when you should get the shot as our flu season is from June on. November is after the main  flu season here and in effect a waste of time. Our flu season is the same as in Australia & not the same as the US or Europe. I always had mine in September and he told me off for being too late.

That might apply on Oz but not in LOS.

[ignis]

had mine end of Jan - is when my Hospital gets the 'new' vaccine..  same every year, this year cost is 270 baht + 50 baht nursing fee ... Red Cross Hospital in Bangkok.. there is also one in Chiang Mai I believe.

[SamSanuk]

Ended up getting the flu shot at CM Mediclinic (north of Maya Mall) for 699 baht. In and out.

 

FYI

[sqwakvfr]

Went to CM Ram hospital for a flu shot a few days ago(I live close and it was a shot walk). I heard “must see doctor first”??? I asked why??(always a bad idea in LOS).  I got the usual half smile and “must see doctor first”.  I said what the the heck and did not feel like going anywhere else.  I saw the doctor for about 30 seconds.  Got the vaccine a few minutes later.  .  Total price was 940 Baht.  If I am in LOS next year I will definitely go elsewhere.  

[Gonzo the Face]

Was surprised to be offered a flu shot at Lanna Hosp yesterday.  I do go to Lanna on a pretty regular basis.   After seeing my appointed doctor, the nurse took me to the side and gave me the shot.  Bigger surprise..... it was FREE ! ! !   So the biggest surprise..... no pain.

Edited October 21, 2020 by Gonzo the Face

[opalred]

i believe your body builds immunity to every new strain of flu that comes along /take away that immunity leaves the body vulnerable to next strain /bingo you are dead  

[ivor bigun]

On 9/4/2020 at 7:25 PM, uncleP said:

My consultant, world renowned and, has consulted both in the USA and Australia tells me that the new flu shot is available late April in Thailand and that early May is when you should get the shot as our flu season is from June on. November is after the main  flu season here and in effect a waste of time. Our flu season is the same as in Australia & not the same as the US or Europe. I always had mine in September and he told me off for being too late.

thats when i had mine this year at Satahip ,490baht

[placeholder]

On 9/4/2020 at 7:25 PM, uncleP said:

My consultant, world renowned and, has consulted both in the USA and Australia tells me that the new flu shot is available late April in Thailand and that early May is when you should get the shot as our flu season is from June on. November is after the main  flu season here and in effect a waste of time. Our flu season is the same as in Australia & not the same as the US or Europe. I always had mine in September and he told me off for being too late.

Well, the influenza center of Thailand disagrees. Below is a chart that shows the frequency of cases by month for the last 3 years. For some reason 2563 is incomplete. But as the doctor said, the rainy season and winter are the worst months. As can be seen from the graph, the worst months may be ahead of us.  I hope the mods allow this to remain even though it's in Thai. I couldn't find one in English.

(As you might expect, the first month listed is January)

https://www.facebook.com/หมอมนูญ-ลีเชวงวงศ์-FC-604030819763686/photos/pcb.1760196807480409/1760196384147118/

Edited October 27, 2020 by placeholder

[JAS21]

1 hour ago, placeholder said:

Well, the influenza center of Thailand disagrees. Below is a chart that shows the frequency of cases by month for the last 3 years. For some reason 2563 is incomplete. But as the doctor said, the rainy season and winter are the worst months. As can be seen from the graph, the worst months may be ahead of us.  I hope the mods allow this to remain even though it's in Thai. I couldn't find one in English.

(As you might expect, the first month listed is January)

https://www.facebook.com/หมอมนูญ-ลีเชวงวงศ์-FC-604030819763686/photos/pcb.1760196807480409/1760196384147118/

This is an important subject and as such I have asked Sheryl, with her medical background,  to enlighten us. 

[Sheryl]

On 9/4/2020 at 7:25 PM, uncleP said:

My consultant, world renowned and, has consulted both in the USA and Australia tells me that the new flu shot is available late April in Thailand and that early May is when you should get the shot as our flu season is from June on. November is after the main  flu season here and in effect a waste of time. Our flu season is the same as in Australia & not the same as the US or Europe. I always had mine in September and he told me off for being too late.

 

It is true that the peak  flu season here is from June through around November (i.e., the rainy season) and that each year's vaccine generally becomes available around May and people should get vaccinated each May.

 

However it is not the case that being vaccinated later is a waste of time. It is better than nothing; even in the "off" months there is always some flu around.

 

Anyone who failed to get vaccinated at the start of this year's flu season can certainly benefit from being vaccinated now..but in future should go in mid to late May for it.

[how241]

I know this is the Chiang Mai forum,  but does anyone know where and how much for the flu shot in Pattaya ??  Thanks

[suzannegoh]

21 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

It is true that the peak  flu season here is from June through around November (i.e., the rainy season) and that each year's vaccine generally becomes available around May and people should get vaccinated each May.

 

However it is not the case that being vaccinated later is a waste of time. It is better than nothing; even in the "off" months there is always some flu around.

 

Anyone who failed to get vaccinated at the start of this year's flu season can certainly benefit from being vaccinated now..but in future should go in mid to late May for it.

 

Do you know if the flu vaccine being administered here is the same at the one that is being administered in the US?

[Sheryl]

8 minutes ago, suzannegoh said:

 

Do you know if the flu vaccine being administered here is the same at the one that is being administered in the US?

No. What is used here is the so-called "Southern Hemisphere"strain, US is the "Northern Hemisphere". So not only is timing different but also the vaccines. People planning to visit US or Europe in the fall or winter need to find a travel clinic here to obtain "Northern Hemisphere" flu shot. Do not go to a regular Thai hospital asking for a flu shot in that instance as what you will receive will nto be the one that protects for the strain of flu found in those places.

[suzannegoh]

4 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

No. What is used here is the so-called "Southern Hemisphere"strain, US is the "Northern Hemisphere". So not only is timing different but also the vaccines. People planning to visit US or Europe in the fall or winter need to find a travel clinic here to obtain "Northern Hemisphere" flu shot. Do not go to a regular Thai hospital asking for a flu shot in that instance as what you will receive will nto be the one that protects for the strain of flu found in those places.

Is there any harm in getting both the Northern and Southern hemisphere shots?  I already got a flu shot at CM Ram and need to go the the US.  I could chase around here to find the Northern Hemisphere version of the vaccine, but I was thinking of just getting the shot when I arrive in the US as I know it will be easy since usually they give out that shot at every supermarket and CVS story.

 

[Sheryl]

1 minute ago, suzannegoh said:

Is there any harm in getting both the Northern and Southern hemisphere shots?  I already got a flu shot at CM Ram and need to go the the US.  I could chase around here to find the Northern Hemisphere version of the vaccine, but I was thinking of just getting the shot when I arrive in the US as I know it will be easy since usually they give out that shot at every supermarket and CVS story.

 

 

None. No problem to get both.

 

The only problem with waiting till you arrive in US is you might get infected enroute or immediately on arrival.

 

Might want to call these places to see if any have Northern Hemisphere shot 

http://www.healthcaremedicalclinic.com/contact-us.html

https://www.facebook.com/TravelMedicineClinicChiang

https://www.cmmediclinic.com/vaccinations.html

[Skallywag]

21 hours ago, how241 said:

I know this is the Chiang Mai forum,  but does anyone know where and how much for the flu shot in Pattaya ??  Thanks

looks like 890 baht at Bangkok Pattaya hospital.  https://bangkokpattayahospital.com/en/hospital-news-en/packages-promotions-en/item/1029-4-strains-influenza-vaccine-en.html

 

[Lacessit]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

No. What is used here is the so-called "Southern Hemisphere"strain, US is the "Northern Hemisphere". So not only is timing different but also the vaccines. People planning to visit US or Europe in the fall or winter need to find a travel clinic here to obtain "Northern Hemisphere" flu shot. Do not go to a regular Thai hospital asking for a flu shot in that instance as what you will receive will nto be the one that protects for the strain of flu found in those places.

Last time I looked at a map, Thailand was in the northern hemisphere. Ah well.

My last flu shot in Australia was September 2019, is it worthwhile getting one here now?

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Last time I looked at a map, Thailand was in the northern hemisphere. Ah well.

My last flu shot in Australia was September 2019, is it worthwhile getting one here now?

yes, but then after that get new one in May.

 

Of course Thailand is technically in the Northern hemisphere, that is just an approximate term...just like we refer to Australia as part of "the West"

[suzannegoh]

5 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

None. No problem to get both.

 

The only problem with waiting till you arrive in US is you might get infected enroute or immediately on arrival.

 

Might want to call these places to see if any have Northern Hemisphere shot 

http://www.healthcaremedicalclinic.com/contact-us.html

https://www.facebook.com/TravelMedicineClinicChiang

https://www.cmmediclinic.com/vaccinations.html

FWIW, the second link that you poseted was broke.  It should be https://www.facebook.com/TravelMedicineClinicChiangMai

[SamSanuk]

On 10/28/2020 at 2:20 PM, suzannegoh said:

 

Do you know if the flu vaccine being administered here is the same at the one that is being administered in the US?

The one I received at CM MediClinic was same as US. It’s considered Northern Hemisphere.

 

They will be happy to talk to you. They emailed me:

 

Thank you for contacting CM Mediclinic. New Flu vaccine that is available now is for winter/spring2020-2021 which is the same one as in the U.S. Please let us know if you would like to book an appointment. The cost is 750 baht.

 

Pretty much all of Asia is in the Northern Hemisphere, except for Indonesia. Anyway SEA is in the subtropical or tropical zone which will be affected by both hemisphere so we have flu activity throughout the year not only in winter. This time of year the new flu vaccine will be northern hemisphere strains.

[orang37]

Is the flu season here the same months as it is in the US ?

 

Is their any difference between strains of flu here, compared to the US ?

 

Any data on comparative rates of incidence, symptoms, duration, onset, severity ?

 

~o:37;

[Sheryl]

7 minutes ago, orang37 said:

Is the flu season here the same months as it is in the US ?

 

Is their any difference between strains of flu here, compared to the US ?

 

Any data on comparative rates of incidence, symptoms, duration, onset, severity ?

 

~o:37;

 

Questions 1 and 2 have already been answered in this thread (No and Yes).

 

For the third question, I am nto aware of any difference in these parameters specific to the strains of flu. The key variable is the age of the person infected and whether they have any other underlying health problems. Flu is always more severe in the very young and the very old, and is especially dangerous for people with co-morbidities, or whose immune systems are for any reason impaired.

[MamaSan]

An efficient provider of all things vaccine-related is Kriengsak Clinic just opposite the RattiLanna HotelSpa south of the Night Bazaar.  The doctor there is knowledgeable and speaks excellent English. Open odd hours mornings and evenings.  Phone is 053 282 970.

[WaveHunter]

In Chiang Mai a good clinic to get flu shots is CM MediClinic in Jed Yod area (near Neimann).  Vaccination is 699 THB, and there is virtually no waiting time; in and out in 5 minutes for me.  Good clinic, fluent English, and nice staff.  Their website is:  https://www.cmmediclinic.com/Flu-Vaccine.html