Travel Vaccinations

Seek Advice, It May Save Your Life

Select a location to find the vaccinations you need.

The vaccinations you require will depend on which country you go to, the region, for how long, and what you are likely to come into contact with. It is best to go to your doctor six months before travelling as some vaccine treatments are given in stages periodically. It is helpful to provide your doctor with a list of places you are likely to go and what you are likely to be doing so they can identify which diseases you are at risk from. Sometimes the doctor will ask the exact area of a country you are visiting as diseases can be confined to local regions due to different climates or quality of life.

Despite what is typically accepted, vaccines are not always 100% effective and normal disease avoidance precautions should still be followed. You should also assess your own risk when visiting any area to avoid any potential threats.

Occasionally, and depending on where you are going or coming from, a certificate of vaccination is necessary. For example, if you enter a country from another where Yellow Fever is prevalent, you may need a certificate as proof that you are not infected. All certificates can be provided by your doctor and should be carried with you at all times.

A good web site to check which vaccines you need for each location can be found here

Reducing Risks Of Disease

It is important when in developing countries where the sanitation poor not to drink tap water. Make sure you have a supply of bottled water to drink and as an extra precaution use it to brush your teeth. Say no to ice cubes in your drinks, salads and uncooked vegetables as these will have been washed in tap water first. It is acceptable to drink beverages containing boiled water as the harmful bacteria will be destroyed at this temperature.

To reduce the number of mosquito bites and possible infection from Malaria, try not to go into highly prevalent areas where mosquitoes are notorious. Try and be indoors at dusk and dawn but if outside where baggy clothing as they can bite through. When sleeping at night always use nets when available or use a repellent with Deet as they are most effective.

Dangerous Travel Diseases

Malaria is spread mosquitoes, is common in tropical countries, and can be fatal. Once the disease is contracted you may get a fever, start shivering, vomiting, and having convulsions. The vaccination is a series of tablets prescribed by your doctor. Some tablets do make you vomit and get diarrhoea so ask for advice. Malarone seems to be the best tablets for the fewest symptoms.
Hepatitis B is present worldwide and causes diarrheoa, problems with the liver, nausea and abdominal pains. It can be spread by sexual activity or by blood. The southern half of Africa and South-East Asia are the most dangerous regions.
Yellow Fever carries a whole load of symptoms and can lead to organ failure and death. Contraction by travellers is rare and vaccination certificates are needed for access into some countries.
Rabies attacks the nervous system and brain causing swelling and death. To catch rabies you need to be bitten by a rabid animal as the virus is carried in the saliva. High risk areas are Africa, Asia and South America. There is no cure for rabies.
Typhoid stems from poor sanitation and contaminated food and water. Southern Asia is the area of greatest risk. Symptoms include fever, pains in the abdomen, constipation or diarrhoea.

Free Vaccinations On The NHS

The following are free on the NHS (UK Residents Only):

>> typhoid, hepatitis A, meningitis C, tetanus, diphtheria and polio.

These are not free and your GP may charge for them. They include:

>> yellow fever, meningococcal meningitis, Japanese and tick-borne encephalitis, malaria, hepatitis B, and rabies.