Health & Cares

::Vaccinations

See your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect (depending on age).

No cholera or smallpox vaccination is required for travellers entering Malaysia. However, in the case of yellow fever, vaccination is required for persons arriving from infected areas and from yellow fever endemic zones. Children under one year of age are exempted.

 

 

::Hepatitis A & B
Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG).
Hepatitis B, if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months, or be exposed through medical treatment.
 
::Pharmacy Information
In Malaysia, what is known as a pharmacy. In general, the pharmacies in Malaysia are reliable. That is, they dispense the proper medications and the drugs themselves are of a US/Western level of quality. The pharmacists themselves are trained professionals with degrees in their field. Similar to the United States, pharmacists cannot distribute prescription medicines without authorization from a doctor. Pharmacies in Malaysia can be used for all of your prescription and over-the-counter drug needs.

Regular business hours for pharmacies are approximately 10 am to 10 pm daily. There are no pharmacies open outside of those times. Emergency treatment can be received at hospitals. Guardian Pharmacy and Georgetown Pharmacy are reliable chains of pharmacies in Malaysia that can be counted on for quality medications and reliable services. Most pharmacies will have English-speaking staff.

Regardless of the pharmacy situation in any country, it is always advisable to bring enough medication to last through your trip. Be sure to carry it with you rather than trusting it to checked luggage (many frequent travellers bring a double supply of medication and pack each in different bags). It is also advisable to carry extra prescription sheets written by your doctor (with the generic names) in case you need refills during your trip and to show at custom as proof of the medication's identity and necessity. Always remember to check the expiration dates on all medications, whether they are from home or abroad. Depending on where you are travelling, you may also want to carry an anti-diarrheal medication and/or ask your physician for an apropriate anti-diarrheal prescription, as a precautionary measure.