How to Get Immunizations for Pakistan

Western travelers to Pakistan should plan to get a number of immunizations prior to departure. To get the shots, you'll need an appointment with your doctor, or you'll have to go to a travel health center at least 8 weeks before you leaving on your journey.

Things You'll Need

• Physician
• Antibiotics and an antidiarrheal medication (strongly recommended)

Instructions

1. Get your Hepatitis A and typhoid shots. These are an absolute must for travelers of all ages heading to Pakistan.

2. Ask your doctor for a polio booster, if you are an adult who is traveling to Pakistan and has never received an adult polio booster.

3. Ensure your tetanus and diptheria vaccinations are current. You must get revaccinated every 10 years.

4. Tell your doctor if your date of birth falls in 1956 or later. This may mean you'll need immunizations for measles, rubella and mumps before you travel to Pakistan.

5. Be safe and get a Hepatitis B shot, if you plan to stay in Pakistan for a period exceeding 6 months, or if you are going to be in close, prolonged contact with local people.

6. Review your travel itinerary. If you are going to be arriving in Pakistan via a region of Africa or the Americas where there is a significant risk of yellow fever, you will require a yellow fever immunization prior to arrival. Every visitor over the age of 1 is expected to comply with this requirement.

7. Add an immunization against Japanese encephalitis to your list of treatments, if you are going to be staying in a rural area of Pakistan for a duration of 1 month or longer.

Tips & Warnings

• It is common for travelers to Pakistan to experience travelers' diarrhea shortly after arrival. You should prepare for this possibility by packing an antibiotic as well as an antidiarrheal drug. Begin treatment promptly at the first signs of the onset of diarrhea.

• The U.S. State Department lists complete travel information for all Americans planning to visit Pakistan (see Resources below).

• Get a rabies shot for good measure, if you have reason to believe you might come into contact with wild animals while in Pakistan. This is especially important if that contact is likely to take place in rural areas that may have limited access to health care.

Resources

• The Consular information sheet on Pakistan from the U.S. Department of State