Do I really need immunizations for China?

I am going to China to live for a year. I have a job lined up and they are providing me living accomodations. A friend of mine suggested I check out the CDC website. It recommends immunizations for rural areas of China. I am moving to a very urban area, 6.5 million people, a big industry port.

I am American and 31 years old man, with little history of illness.

Do I need immunizations?

Yup..... hep A is recommended... 2 shots about 6 months apart give you lifetime coverage... plus a tetanus of course... and depending on where you are going (even in large city) you may need malaria... certainly take malaria med w/ you...cipro antibiotic w/ you... etc.... Otherwise you may have to rely on acupuncture........... If you've ever seen a true Chinese 'drug store' you'll go w/ whatever innoculations are recommended plus some emergency meds.... Life is very different in China..... Now if you're going to be in Hong Kong as oppossed to mainland China that's a little bit different... Make an appointment with an 'international' doctor in your hometown... tell them exactly and I mean exactly where you will be staying or travelling (everywhere you will be or may be in that year) because sometimes even the distance of a very few miles makes a difference as to what you need..... Take a map with you too because sometimes the name of the city doesn't sound anything like the way it's written.... Be prepared..... You can always leave behind whatever you haven't needed when you leave China.... You are in for quite an experience! If you're at all asthmatic take lots of meds.... severe pollution.....

yes you also need to tape your eyes so they dont slope

look, they put poison in pet food, lead paint on children's toys, why would you even ask? Get you shots and feel good about it.

NO. The CDC site gave you the best info available...so follow it. You could also seek input form your company...whoever is in charge of sending people to that city...what has their experience been...have there been any problems?

hi im a beijing-ese living in singapore, back in a health check conducted by my school here in singapore, i was suprised to find out that the number of immunisations i had when i was a kid back in beijing is at least 5 times as many compared to my peers in singapore. (and yea all these jabs were compulsory/free back in china)
china is a big country and a large part of it is considered rural therefor urban dwellers like us might not have the immue system to deal with viruses that people carry from all over the place when we're in china, so i'll say it's always better to be safe than sorry :)
then regarding which jabs to take, i seriously think you need to consult professionals.
which city are you going anyway? hope you have fun in china, i have some good american friends back in beijing and they love the country.