Korea-vaccines

[bohemianvegan]

I am going to Korea next week to teach for a year. I have been told that I don't need any more shots in order to go to Korea. But I have been wondering if I should get more shots. I know that Hepatitis and Typhoid do happen in Korea. Lonely Planet said it can happen. I have already gotten my Hepatitis B shots in high school, but should I get

Comments

[mindme]

You'll be fine. Maybe if you're teaching out in the sticks. But in Seoul it should be no problem. I haven't heard of anyone getting Hep.

Things to worry about:

- Your school paying you on time.

- Being a woman, having Korean men asking you if you're "russian". Russian women make popular prostitutes in Korea. Middle aged Korean men seem to believe all white women are either prostitutes or are wanton like the women they see in porn movies. Some women teachers here report a level of public sexual harassment they've not experienced in North America.

[alexandra_ell]

Sadly, one of my friends managed to get it. And I also saw the blood-test of my fiance, and it was amazing to see how his body had to react against Hepatitis B after dealing with a kid who had a serious head injury in his school.

Better safe than sorry, but since she fortunately already got her Hepatitis B shots, no worries.

On the other hand I completely agree with you. Being a woman, especially a blonde woman makes life quite difficult in Korea.:(

[inulro]

Being a woman, especially a blonde woman makes life quite difficult in Korea.:(

I can imagine. It was bad enough being a small blonde child in Japan.

[rjhatl]

It never hurts to be up on your hepatitis shots no matter where you're going.

[joe_tofu]

Japanese Encephalitis is a scam. Yes, it will kill you if it hits you. So will a lightning bolt. Who buys lightning insurance? Also it's three expensive shots. The doctor who gave me mine did not mention that I needed two more, so I wasted my money on the first.

Hepatitis is something you should get vaccinated for even in your home country. Silly me, I haven't done it yet!

[alexandra_ell]

Go for it. Since you are a teacher sooner or later you'll have to deal with bleeding kids. And in a country where more than ten percent of the population is infected with Hepatitis B you can't trust anyone.

[bohemianvegan]

Thanks. I'll just wear bug spray and forget about the encephalitis.
I have my Hep B shots. I won't worry then.