Comments on: Daddy-san (part 4): Immunising your child after arriving in Japan

By: Happiesusie

Happiesusie — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:17:11 +0000

Great informative article! My son is due for his 12 mth vaccincations and his 2,4,6 were all done in australia while we avoided the dangers of radiation etc… Now were back in tokyo and have a dilemma about what to do with his 12 mth vacc in january. Id love to go back to australia to get the vaccs and hang out with my family, but finances are a bit tight… I personally dont really trust the vaccs here in japan as there have been so many scary stories, polio… And the the prevenar one that was cancelled march 2010 cuz several cases of children died within weeks of it…. Apparently that batch of imported prevenar had problems (???).

Anyway, im glad to know that we can get import stuff and that there are hospitals that support the vaccs needs of foreigners with kids in japan.

Ps: rhea i wish i had an answer for you… Sorry i cant help, but just from my gut feeling and opinion, i would rather wait to go back to home country or wait until they can do the shot. Ive seen the news about oral polio on tv these days and its just so sad for the unlucky ones that got polio from the oral vaccine…

By: rhea

rhea — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 17:50:13 +0000

nice article..thanks for the info..me too is worried about my 1 year old daughter to get the oral polio vaccine here in japan cause i heard that some child who got this OPV got the disease..it took me a year of thinking and im still undecided weather we should go for that vaccine this coming october because japanese government only gives the vaccine on spring and autumn.can someone tell me what to do..is it really safe to go for OPV here in japan?me too all I want is the best for my baby…can someone help me here..thanks a lot.
http://www.healing-arts.org/children/vaccines/vaccines-information.htm

By: jennifer atilano

jennifer atilano — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:35:13 +0000

I love this article so much, it helps and give me an idea about the difference of the vaccination in japan and other country because me and my baby are going to migrate in japan.A little bit scared after reading this,all I want is the best for my baby. so maybe I”m gonna finish first his vaccination here in PH before we gonna transfer there.

By: paternity leaf

paternity leaf — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 12:40:48 +0000

David Shinmei, M.D.
(or anyone else who might be able to help out)

My son began his vaccinations in Hong Kong and I just realised that we forgot to get his fourth and final HiB vaccination (I guess it is a booster – the one at 18 months). He is now 3 yo. His first three were included in Infranhexa. Is it worth while/safe/advised getting a booster from a Japanese MD with the Japanese vaccine (ActHIB)?

By: saute guy

saute guy — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 14:45:49 +0000

Good news (for all but Layla perhaps?)
The Japanese immunization scene has changed dramatically over the last 12 months. You can now get Hib, Prevnar, HPV, etc.
see here:

http://idsc.nih.go.jp/vaccine/dschedule.html

the interesting thing is that these changes are opening up the eyes of Japanese to realize that they are trailing the world in this field.

By: Layla

Layla — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:43:56 +0000

Interesting article

Just wanted to say that in the Western world, many parents are sceptical of immunization, especially in connection to any possible side effects, like for autism and such, and actually some say that it’s better for the kid to recieve immunisations separately as to not overwhelm their system…
You may want to read up on it…

Not sure if any of the Japanese immunization is mercury-based or not? Or containing any other possibly iffy chemicals?

By: Richmond

Richmond — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:12:55 +0000

Kathleen,
You can get the vaccinations here but you have to pay for them.　　It is a bit old information but I found this data from 2002 with a Japanese language google search:

Hepatitis A 8830 yen
Tetanus 4330 yen
Yellow Fever 4900 yen
Rabies 7230 yen
Japanese Encephalitis 5130 yen
Cholera 1500 yen

(http://www48.tok2.com/home/sawakon/3oyakudachi/3-03vassiation.htm)

Pretty cheap I think? How much would it cost you back home?

I think you actually need a yellow card (proof of a yellow fever vaccination) to go to some strange countries but I think the three you mentioned should be fine.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:59:26 +0000

Does the Japanese health care system vaccinate for free for travel in other parts of Asia or is this all out of pocket? We are moving to Japan in December with our 3 and 4 year olds, I am wondering if I should ask their doctor here to vaccinate them as if they were traveling to China, Viet Nam, the Phillipeans, which are some of the places we might visit.

By: David Shinmei, M.D.

David Shinmei, M.D. — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:23:04 +0000

Very nice and helpful article.
As a Pediatrician in Orange County, California I have a number of Japanese families who start the US series of vaccines and want to continue getting the vaccines when they go back to Japan. The information on the Tokyo clinic will be most helpful.

Just one point on immunization compatability and intercheangability. Although it is ideal to start and end with one manufacturer’s vaccine, even in the US we have to switch back and forth at times so we do mix brands often. As long as you follow the guidelines from the CDC on timing of the vaccines this is OK.

I also have many internationally adopted patients and deal with foreign manufactured vaccines all the time. On this matter the CDC states, “Although some vaccines with inadequate potency have been produced in other countries, most vaccines used worldwide are produced with adequate quality control standards and are reliable.” So even if you had to get Japanese vaccines most Pediatricians in the US will accept them. The only thing to be careful of is that the timing of the vaccines is compatible with the schedule used in the US. The problem I have found with the Japanese schedule (besides not including many of the US vaccines) is that the ones used are given too close together. In those cases I just ignore the ones given too soon and count the others given at the correct intervals. This usually means the child needs a dose or two extra to become fully vaccinated by US standards. This is better than ignoring all the vaccines and starting over from scratch.

By: EbisuCaliDad

EbisuCaliDad — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:28:48 +0000

Our doctor only provided the HepB vaccination at 3 months for our daughter. I’ve printed the U.S. Centers for Disease Control vaccination schedule (http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/default.htm), and according to our pediatrician here in Hiroo (a very popular place, right on Gaien Nishi Dori near the Lambo dealership), they didn’t have any information on 2 of them/did not offer them (PCV & Rota Virus).

Our daughter DID NOT receive any type of vaccinations at birth.

I just received the Shibuya Ward immunization coupon/schedule (trying to deciper it with my poor Japanese- will need the wife to look at this tomorrow) and from what I gather, National Health Care offers (free or cheap):

DPT (Diphteria, Pertussis, Tetanus)
DT (Diphteria & Tetanus?)
MR (Measles / Rubella… No Mumps).

Our doctor here suggested we do the remaining vaccinations once we get to the U.S. (we’re moving back in a few months) since it’s much cheaper there.

I would assume the risks of contracting any of these diseases is much less in Japan versus the rest of the world, hence, non-conforming vaccinations here. However, given that we are an international family, I will surely follow the U.S. CDC schedule, and maybe integrate some of the Japanese-specific vaccinations as well (i.e: Japanese Incephalitus)…