You Need These Immunisations If You Are Traveling Overseas

If you are planning on taking a trip overseas, there are some immunisations you need to get. You might be up-to-date on some of these vaccines, but others need to be taken before you book your trip. This is to ensure your health and that of others you will be close to.

Routine Vaccines

The first set of vaccines to be sure you get are the routine vaccines most people will get on a regular basis. If you have travelled internationally before, you have probably had these already. While many children also get these, you might not have had them in several years, so your doctor can let you know if you need to get them again before you leave. Some of the routine vaccines to get before long-distance trips are varicella, tetanus, diphtheria, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), pertussis, and the polio vaccine. You might also want to get your flu shot at this point.

Location-Specific Vaccines

The next set of vaccines are typically required when you are traveling to certain parts of the world. For example, if you are travelling to South America or Africa, there is a higher risk of getting yellow fever. This is when you would want the yellow fever vaccination. There is a Japanese Encephalitis vaccine if you are travelling to a country where infected mosquitoes are a high risk, such as India.

Hepatitis Vaccines

There are two hepatitis vaccines that your doctor might recommend, including hepatitis A and B. Hepatitis A is most commonly recommended because it protects you from the hepatitis A virus than is transmitted through water or food. This exists in countries like Australia and the United States, though it is a low risk, so it is still recommended. Then there is the hepatitis B vaccination, which can be transmitted through blood, needles, or sexual contact. If you plan on getting a tattoo overseas, you might want the hepatitis B vaccination.

Rabies Vaccination

Many countries have bats that can potentially be infected with rabies, including Australia, so if you travel to these countries, the rabies vaccine is recommended. While this isn't a huge risk, some travellers might be working in areas where bats are going to be present, so it is a good precaution to make.

Your doctor should be able to provide you with a list of immunisations you need based on your medical history and the country you are travelling to. This can keep you from serious illness and even save your life, so it should be taken seriously.

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