Travel vaccinations

So you’ve booked a flight and you’re planning your trip overseas, perhaps a beach break, a shopping trip or an adventure holiday. One question many travellers will wonder is: should I get vaccinations?

Many holiday destinations around the world will be in regions that are subject to diseases that are not prevalent in your home country so this is an important question.

Do your research

The first thing you should always do is take a look at travel advice resources available online for your destination and talk to your GP. For some regions such as Africa and South America, having certified vaccinations such as Yellow Fever will assist in quarantine procedures upon re-entry into countries such as Australia.

Some important questions to ask yourself on your trip will be; are you staying near a metropolitan area with good health facilities? Will you be visiting rural areas or have contact with animals? How long will you be at your destination?

Common vaccines

Vaccines for your destination may include Hepatitis, Cholera, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Rabies, Malaria, Yellow Fever and Japanese encephalitis.

Talk to your GP or a Travel Medicine Practitioner about the recommended  options available and suitable to your health needs. Even if vaccines are not essential for your destination doctors may recommend ensuring you are up to date on vaccines such as Tetanus. Injections which provide multiple vaccines are a good opportunity to keep up to date on vaccines recommended in your daily life such as whooping cough (strongly recommend if you are around infants).

Depending on your country and health system, your health insurance may also cover vaccinations.

The following authorities provide travel and health advice for their residents.

[button type=”link” link=”http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au” size=”btn-medium” target=”blank”]AUSTRALIA[/button] [button type=”link” link=”http://www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/consular_information/for_singapore_citizens/advice_for_singaporeans_going_overseas.html” size=”btn-medium” target=”blank”]SINGAPORE[/button] [button type=”link” link=”www.cdc.gov” size=”btn-medium” target=”blank”]USA[/button] [button type=”link” link=”http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/index-eng.php” size=”btn-medium” target=”blank”]CANADA[/button] [button type=”link” link=”https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice” size=”btn-medium” target=”blank”]UK[/button] [button type=”link” link=”http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/healthy-living/travelling” size=”btn-medium” target=”blank”]NEW ZEALAND[/button]