Immunization When Traveling Abroad

Traveling is a great activity for anyone, especially when you go abroad but have you thought about immunization. However, it is very important to look after your health first. This is where immunization comes to play. It is wise to make an appointment with your physician or travel medicine clinic before your trip to discuss your immunization needs. Depending on where you plan to travel, they should be able to recommend particular vaccines for you and your family.

Immunization When Traveling Abroad

Immunization | (c) Photo By Brisbane City Hall

Adults may sometimes can go without immunization but if you plan to travel abroad with children, it may not be the same. Kids are more likely to get sick than adults, which makes immunization very important for the whole family. Visiting your physician 4-6 weeks before your departure is recommended. That will give ample time for your body to get use to any vaccinations, and enough time to talk with your physician about any particular health concerns.

The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all travelers be up-to-date with the routine schedule of vaccinations and booster shots. These routine vaccines include:

• Diphtheria / Tetanus / Pertussis (DTP)
• Hepatitis B (HBV)
• Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib)
• Measles / Mumps / Rubella (MMR)
• Poliomyelitis

Here are few countries and recommend vaccinations, if you are planning to travel there.

• Australia: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio, Tetanus and Flu vaccines
• Africa: Hepatitis B, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Polio
• China: Malaria, Hepatitis A and B
• India: Malaria
• Switzerland: Meningitis

Other than immunization and vaccinations, preparing a simple first aid kit with basic essentials could come in handy. Last but not least, something I always practice and recommend other travelers is to always drink bottled water when in foreign countries, because water is a major carrier of diseases. So better be safe than sorry.

Do you get immunization before you travel abroad?