Tips & Information on Vaccines for Travellers

• Make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic for a basic health check-up at least 8 weeks before you depart.
• Discuss your personal travel plans with a health professional to ensure that you have the right vaccinations for your trip.
• You may also need booster doses of childhood vaccinations—ask a health professional, just in case!
• For older adults, vaccination against pneumococcal disease or shingles might be advised.
• Vaccinations may be an entry requirement for some countries –you may be refused entry or required to have the vaccination at the border. Avoid this hassle and make sure to check with their embassy or consulate of the countries you intend to visit.
• There are some diseases - like Malaria - that don't have a vaccination but do have preventative medications.  Be sure to ask a medical professional before heading to an affected area.
• Health risks within a country can vary from one region to the next and local authorities may be slow to announce outbreaks of disease. While vaccines are your best plan of protection, stay aware on your trip.
• Visit the World Health Organization website (http://www.who.int/ith/vaccines/en/) to see the recommended “routine” vaccinations and those specific to certain areas. Additional information is available from http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/.

The views, opinions and positions expressed by the author and those providing comments are theirs alone, and are meant as travel inspiration only. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Cover-More Insurance.