Question to general practitioner Maarten: Not a Pneumovax 23 injection but a Prevnar 13 injection

Maarten Vasbinder lives in Isaan. His profession is general practitioner, a profession that he mainly practiced in Spain. On Thailandblog he answers questions from readers who live in Thailand and writes about medical facts.

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Dear Martin,

I would like to let you know how the Pneumovax injection went. The doctor at Khon Kaen Ram Hospital did not want to give the Pneumovax 23 injection. She said a Prevnar 13 injection was better and without side effects like fever, so you don't get singled out when you go into a place where the temperature is checked.

We followed her advice and took the Prevnar 13 injection (costs 2.950 Bath for the vaccine and +/- 500 Bath service costs). I hope we did the right thing?

To come back to your conclusion regarding the medicines, taking as much as possible with you is fine, but it does entail a financial risk if they confiscate it. As in my case, 1350 euros per month. So if I go to Thailand for 8 months, I will have more than 10.000 euros worth of medicines with me. That doesn't really feel good. And you have to be able to bear the risk, otherwise you will be without medication.

Thanks for the link to the Red Cross, but very difficult to get to. Telephone only tapes, operator not to be found. Can't find an email address.
I wanted to ask them if they also have a branch in Khon Kaen. But I'll try.

Thanks for your attention.

Regards,

E.

*****

Dear E,

It might be an idea to ask readers where there are specialized HIV clinics.

Too bad the Red Cross didn't answer. I disagree with that doctor. Indeed, some people get a fever for a day after that injection. That would now mean that you have to stay indoors for a day.

The best thing is to get that pneumovax in a year's time.

My guess is they don't have pneumovax 23.

Sincerely,

Dr. Maarten