Travel vaccinations are one of those vaguely remembered parts of childhood that you were aware of but didn’t really understand.
You probably remember heading to the doctor, getting a shot (and maybe a lollipop!), then aching for a while before heading off on vacation.
As an adult, the importance of travel vaccinations is far easier to understand, but it is still a complex area.
But if you are planning on exploring exotic destinations on a cruise itinerary from Florida or a long-haul flight from Atlanta, you will need to get your head around them!
With the right information, you can protect yourself and your family while traveling, meaning you don’t need to worry about tropical illnesses, and you can get on with enjoying your adventure! Here’s what you need to know about travel vaccinations.
Why Are Travel Vaccinations Important?
When you travel abroad, you are exploring places that have a very different disease and immunology profile from your own country. Infectious diseases that exist in other countries, particularly in places in the tropics, will not be prevalent back home, and so you will not have the same resistance or immunity to them as you would to other illnesses.
Additionally, due to different climates and different levels of general health and medicine, there are plenty of diseases, particularly in poorer or less well-developed countries, that require vaccinations or preventative medicine to avoid, such as yellow fever, hepatitis, or malaria.
Vaccinations are designed to give you temporary immunity to these diseases, to prevent their spread, and to safeguard your health while you are away from home. In addition, some countries require proof of certain vaccinations in order to enter the country, meaning that they become a mandatory part of your travel planning, as important as getting a visa or packing your bags.
Key Vaccinations for International Travel
- Routine vaccinations - before you set off, make sure your essential vaccinations are up to date. These usually include measles, mumps, and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, and influenza for older travelers.
- Hepatitis A and B - these two distinct illnesses cause liver failure and are caused by dirty food and water, as well as contact with infectious bodily fluids.
- Typhoid - this fever is caused by bacteria found in dirty food and water.
- Yellow Fever - a virus transmitted by infectious mosquitos, yellow fever is found in parts of Africa and South America. There are a number of countries around the world that require a yellow fever vaccination in order to enter the country.
- Rabies - rabies is caused by getting bitten or scratched by an infected animal.
How to Determine What Vaccines You Need
The best way to work out what vaccinations you need is to speak to your doctor or healthcare provider. You can also take a look at resources and information on a destination-by-destination basis from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO)>
Remember that it is important to have your vaccinations a reasonable amount of time before you travel, to give them time to take effect. Some vaccinations require several shots over a prolonged period, so it is worth taking a look at what you need and getting yourself ready at least a month before you plan to travel.
Travel vaccinations can seem daunting, but they are a vital part of traveling to some of the most exciting and beautiful places in the world, so getting your head around them is key. Taking the time to understand your health needs and prepare for an exotic vacation will make all the difference to your adventure, giving you peace of mind and letting you enjoy your vacation to the fullest.