The Traveller's Doctor

Travel vaccinations

Talk to our clinic about which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you will be visiting.

Some countries require you to have an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) before you enter. For example, Saudi Arabia requires proof of vaccination against certain types of meningitis for visitors arriving for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

Many tropical countries in Africa and South America will not accept travellers from an area where there is yellow fever, unless they can prove that they have been vaccinated against it.

Getting vaccinated

First off, phone or visit Dr Harry for advice on whether your existing jabs are up-to-date (they can tell from your notes). Dr Harry is also able to give you general advice about travel vaccinations and travel health, such as protecting yourself from malaria.

Things to consider

There are several things to consider when planning your travel vaccinations, including:

• the country or countries you are visiting – in some cases, the region of a country you are visiting will also be important
• when you are travelling – some diseases are more common at certain times of the year, for example during the rainy season
• where you are staying – in general, you will be more at risk of getting diseases in rural areas than in urban areas
• if you are backpacking and staying in hostels or camping, you may be more at risk than if you were on a package holiday and staying in a hotel
• how long you will be staying – the longer your stay, the greater your risk of being exposed to diseases
• your age and health – some people may be more vulnerable to infection than others, while some vaccinations cannot be given to people with certain medical conditions
• what you will be doing during your stay – for example, whether you will be spending a lot of time outdoors, such as trekking or working in rural areas
• if you are working as an aid worker, you may come into contact with more diseases if you are working in a refugee camp or helping after a natural disaster
• if you are working in a medical setting – for example, a doctor or nurse may require additional vaccinations
• if you are in contact with animals, you may be more at risk of getting diseases that are spread by animals, such as rabies

If possible, see Dr Harry at least eight weeks before you are due to travel, because some vaccinations need to be given well in advance.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Speak to Dr Harry before having any vaccinations if:

• you are pregnant
• you think you might be pregnant
• you are breastfeeding

In many cases, it is unlikely that a vaccine given while pregnant or breastfeeding will cause problems for the baby. However, Dr Harry will be able to give you further advice.

People with immune deficiencies

For some people travelling overseas, vaccination against certain diseases may not be advised. This may be the case if:

• you have a condition that affects your body's immune system, such as HIV or AIDS
• you are receiving treatment that affects your immune system, such as chemotherapy (a treatment for cancer)
• you have recently had a bone marrow or organ transplant

Dr Harry can give you further advice.  Drop in today!