Why It Is Important to Get the Right Travel Vaccinations

International travel can be fun and exciting, but it can also expose innocent travellers to different health risks. To prevent yourself from getting ill, you should plan ahead and take precautionary measures. The best way to travel safely is by getting travel vaccinations before going on your trip. Here is some information on why it’s important to get the right travel vaccinations and how to get them.

Are Travel Vaccines Important?

When you travel to another country, you are exposing yourself to diseases that you have no immunity against. If you catch a disease while abroad, it could negatively affect your travel plans or even be life-threatening. You know what they say—prevention is better than cure.

Travel vaccinations won’t guarantee that you won’t get ill, but they do greatly reduce your chances of contracting infectious diseases. Getting inoculated before you travel doesn’t just protect you from getting ill; it also stops diseases from spreading to other people.

What Travel Vaccinations Are There?

There are many vaccines that will protect you when you travel. The ones you need will vary, depending on the country you visit. Here are some of the most common travel vaccinations:

• Yellow fever
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis E
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Polio
• Typhoid
• Tuberculosis
• Rabies
• Cholera
• Meningococcal disease
• Seasonal influenza
• Japanese encephalitis
• Tick-borne encephalitis
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella

Most countries are no longer requiring travellers to have a COVID-19 vaccination, though you may want to check what their rules and guidelines are before you go on your trip.

How Do I Know Which Travel Vaccinations to Get?

Start by checking the FCDO travel advice for the country you’re traveling to. There should be plenty of heath information, including health risks and recommended vaccines. There is also advice on the NHS Fit for Travel site and on the National Travel Health Network and Centre. Make a list of all the travel vaccinations you need before contacting your GP practice. If you’re travelling to multiple countries, make sure you research the vaccine requirements for all of them.

Where Can I Get My Travel Vaccinations?

Call your local GP for guidance on when and where to get your vaccinations. You may be able to get your vaccinations at your GP surgery, or you may be referred to another clinic or a pharmacy, depending on availability. Some vaccinations are free on the NHS, but you will have to pay for others.

When you make an appointment to get your travel vaccinations, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have any allergies, have any pre-existing medical conditions, or if you take any other medication that may interfere with the vaccinations. You should also inform your GP of any religious reasons that may prevent you from having certain vaccines that contain porcine gelatine or egg protein (ovalbumin). If you experience any extreme side-effects or an allergic reaction to your vaccines, inform a medical professional straight away.

When Should I Get My Travel Vaccinations?

You’ll need enough time to get all your vaccinations, so it’s recommended that you reach out to your GP as soon as you book your trip, but you should book them at least 6 weeks before you leave on your trip. Even if you have already had some of the vaccinations, you may require boosters but if you have had them recently, this may not be necessary. Other vaccinations may require multiple doses. You can get vaccinated for several diseases at once, for example, there is a diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine and the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. There is no vaccine against malaria; however, you can get a GP prescription for anti-malarial medication or purchase it over the counter.

Do I Ned Proof to Show That I Got My Travel Vaccinations?

After you get a vaccination, you’ll be given a vaccination certificate. Keep all your vaccination certificates safe and in one place because you may need to bring them with you. Some countries request that foreign travellers prove that they have had all the required vaccinations at the border. If you cannot produce your vaccination certificates, you may be denied entry to your destination. Make digital copies of your vaccination certificates and keep them in a folder with copies of your fit-to-fly certificate (if you need one) and your other important travel documents.

What Else Can I Do to Prevent Myself from Getting Ill While Abroad?

Vaccinations can only do so much. You may need to take extra precautions to prevent yourself from getting ill. Where ever you go, you should always practice good hygiene. This includes washing your hands often. In some countries, it may be unsafe to drink the tap water or use it to brush your teeth, so you’ll need to buy bottled water. Be cautious of the food you eat, as you may risk getting typhoid, salmonella, or E. coli from eating raw, undercooked, or unpasteurised food.

If you’re travelling to a place where malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya virus, or Zika virus are prevalent, use insect repellent and wear loose-fitting long sleeve shirts, long trousers, and close-toed shoes. At night, make sure your bed is covered by a mosquito net. Stay away from wild or unfamiliar animals. If you get bitten or scratched by a rabid animal, seek medical assistance immediately to reduce your chance of contracting rabies or tetanus.

If I Get Sick, Will I Be Covered by My Travel Insurance?

Your travel insurance will cover your emergency medical expenses and repatriation if you become ill during your trip and need to cut your trip short. You will also receive a hospital confinement benefit and your accommodation expenses will be covered if you are deemed medically unfit to travel. See your policy wording for more specific information on what your travel insurance policy will cover.

If you choose to purchase Oasis Insurance’s cruise cover add-on, you will receive cover for the cost of missed excursions and a cabin confinement benefit for every 24-hour period you are confined to your cabin due to illness. If you’re worried about coronavirus, you can get further cover with our COVID-19 add-on.

Those who are not up to date with their inoculations and unvaccinated travellers who get ill while abroad may not be covered by their travel insurance. Don’t forget to book an appointment with your GP before every trip you take to see if you need any new vaccinations or boosters.