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4 – Vaccinations for Travel
Getting Vaccinated for Travel!
CONTACT a travel medicine clinic 6 weeks before departure to determine your need for immunisations and preventive medication as well as measures to avoid disease
You may be more at risk of some diseases, for example, if you are:
-- Travelling in rural areas
-- Backpacking!
-- Staying in hostels or camping
-- You are on a long trip rather than a package holiday
-- Working as an aid worker – you may come into contact with more diseases in a refugee camp or helping after a natural disaster
-- Working in a medical setting – a doctor, nurse or another healthcare worker may require additional vaccinations
-- Contact with animals – you may be more at risk of getting diseases spread by animals, such as rabies
If you're only travelling to countries in Northern and Western Europe, North America or Australia, you're unlikely to need any vaccinations
Take a copy of your official immunisation records with you when you travel
There are other things to consider when planning your travel vaccinations:
Your age and health – you may be more vulnerable to infection than others; some vaccines cannot be given to people with certain medical conditions. Seek medical advice before having any vaccinations if:
-- You are pregnant or breastfeeding!
For some people travelling overseas, vaccination against certain diseases may NOT be advised
-- If you have a condition that affects your body's immune system, such as HIV or AIDS
-- If you are receiving treatment that affects your immune system, such as Chemotherapy
-- If you have recently had a bone marrow or organ transplant
-- A Doctor can give you further advice about this!
More on Vaccinations for Travel
A travel medical clinic will determine around 6 weeks before departure your need for immunizations and preventive medication as well as measures to avoid disease
You may be required to have vaccination against the following diseases;
Yellow Fever
Mandatory vaccination against yellow fever is carried out to prevent the importation of yellow fever virus into vulnerable
countries
Cholera
Vaccination is not required anywhere but some countries require a vaccination certificate
Meningococcal Meningitis
Vaccination against meningococcal meningitis is required by Saudi Arabia for Muslim pilgrims who visit Mecca for the Umrah and Hajj. A number of countries require vaccination of travelers returning from the Umrah and Hajj
As well as getting any travel vaccinations you need, this will also be a good opportunity to make sure your Non-travel vaccinations are up-to-date and have booster vaccines if necessary
Because some vaccines require multiple doses, it is best to see your health care provider as soon as possible
Medicines to prevent malaria are pills that you start to take before travel. Take recommended medicines as directed
If your health care provider prescribes medicines for you, take
The medicines as directed before, during, and after travel
