Booking tickets for an overseas trip is incredibly exciting, but before you start packing your suitcase, it is important to think about whether you need travel vaccinations to stay safe while abroad.
This is particularly the case if you are travelling long haul, as tropical, rural and less developed countries pose a greater risk to your health than somewhere more built-up and closer to home.
Here are some tips on how to make sure you are fully protected, so you can enjoy your exotic adventure without any worries.
Be up to date with NHS immunisations
In the UK, you can receive free NHS immunisations for MMR, polio, hepatitis, meningitis and tetanus, so make sure you are fully up to date with these.
Some countries will want to see proof of vaccination before entering, such as Saudi Arabia, which requires a valid vaccination certificate of the MenACWY jab that protects against four types of meningococcal disease.
British residents will routinely receive this jab when they are teenagers, so consult your doctor if you are unsure whether you have had it.
Check what immunisations you need
You also need to find out what jabs you need for the places you are visiting. This information can be found on the Travel Health Pro website, which details the health risks in countries around the world.
For instance, those travelling to Brazil will need hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid inoculations. It is also recommended to get hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and yellow fever jabs.
If you are travelling to rural areas of the nation, are backpacking or staying for a long time, and are sleeping in hostels or camping, you are at a greater risk of disease. What’s more, those who have a pre-existing health condition are more susceptible to infections or complications.
Therefore, it is worth getting the recommended vaccinations to boost immunity to local diseases.
When to start thinking about vaccinations?
If you are going on a far-flung trip, the chances are you have booked it a few months in advance. In this case, the sooner you start planning your jabs, the better as it can take a few weeks for immunity to take effect.
Head of Immunisation at UK Health and Security Agency Dr Mary Ramsay reminded holidaymakers to be vigilant when it comes to protecting their health when travelling.
She said: “Nobody wants to get stricken down with sickness on their holidays or when travelling far away from home, and it can be especially stressful and worrying if your child gets ill – sadly this does happen, but for many serious illnesses, it is preventable.”
Getting the immunisations at least four weeks in advance is a good idea, though it is worth consulting your local pharmacy for more detailed information on each jab. If your chemist offers travel healthcare services, they will be able to give you accurate advice to keep you safe on your trip.