It’s that time of year again where it seems every one around you has the sniffles. Getting on a plane with a few hundred strangers for several hours can expose you to all kinds of germs and viruses. Not to mention some destinations have epidemics that make them a risky choice. So what travel vaccinations should you have if you plan to get out there to see the world?
I am not a medical professional so please consult with your personal physician at least 4–6 weeks before departure to ensure you have the best information based on your individual needs. Because I travel often, I’m constantly asked “how many shots did you have to take to go there?” And most times my answer is “I wasn’t required to take any but here is what I chose to do anyway.” Embarking on an international journey is thrilling, but ensuring you’re protected against potential health risks is paramount.
Not all destinations require vaccinations. That said ‘required by the country’ shouldn’t be the thing that guides your decision on what vaccinations you should get to protect yourself. And there are some things that no vaccination can protect you against.
The key to a ‘worry-less’ adventure abroad could be as simple as a vaccine. I’m risk adverse when it comes to my body. The last thing I want to contend with while traveling is a hospital stay for something that was totally avoidable. This guide delves into the essential vaccinations every traveler should consider before heading out on an international adventure.
Understanding Essential Vaccinations
Just a few short years ago, it seemed the entire world was masking up and wiping down everything for fear of COVID-19. How quickly we all went back to ‘normal’ after scientists discovered a way to help us stay protected or at least recover quicker from an outbreak.
Nevertheless, before embarking on your journey abroad it’s crucial to understand which vaccinations are necessary to protect yourself from region-specific diseases. There are some routine vaccinations that you may have gotten when you were younger that you simply want to make sure are up to date.
It’s also important to know where to find the latest information on your destination ahead of time to help you make an informed decision on which steps to take. Staying informed about current health advisories can be the information you need to guard against travel-related illness.
Routine Vaccinations
Routine vaccinations are the ones that most of us had when we were children if you were born or educated in the US. Think measles, mumps, and rubella. There has also been a growing number of folks who are simply against vaccinations for their own personal reasons. We’ve seen in recent years an uptick in the number of measles cases around the globe.
And while some of this is in under developed countries, there are still examples of outbreaks in more prominent destinations like the US. You can check your status to ensure you’re up-to-date with standard immunizations at CDC Travelers’ Health .
The next group of standard vaccinations are Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap). These protect you against some everyday strains of illness. For example if you cut yourself, having had a tetanus shot could protect you against viruses that enter through open wounds. Since injuries or exposure can happen anywhere, staying current is vital.
Hepatitis A & Typhoid Fever
This vaccination helps to protects against bacteria or viruses transmitted through contaminated food and water. It’s very common in regions with inadequate sanitation and/or limited access to clean water.
Regions where hepatitis A is highly endemic include South Asia (particularly Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan), Sub-Saharan and North Africa, parts of the Far East (except Japan), South and Central America and the Middle East.
Infection can range from mild illness lasting 1–2 weeks to severely disabling disease lasting several months. Clinical manifestations include abrupt onset of fever, malaise, anorexia, nausea, and abdominal discomfort. Refer to CDC.gov for more details.
Of course vaccines isn’t the only way to protect yourself. You should ensure you have well cooked foods, avoid tap water and sanitize surfaces often. And don’t feel like you have a free pass simply because you have been vaccinated. You should still take precautions when you travel to lookout for signs that this may be an issue.
Yellow Fever
If you’ve had any vacation where you spend a fair amount of time outside, then you’ve had you share of encounters with mosquitoes. You know they are hard to avoid and even with the best repellent you still get a bite or two.
Not every mosquito bite comes with yellow fever. But if you are traveling to a destination where yellow fever is an issue you are going to want to be vaccinated ahead of time.
Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Typically the symptoms disappear after 3 to 4 days.
This one is definitely recommended if your plans have you spending any amount of time outdoors because pesky mosquitoes can pop up anywhere. With the exception of Iceland and Antartica mosquitoes are everywhere.
That said, there are some destinations in parts of Africa and South America where yellow fever is more of a concern. In fact, some countries require proof of vaccination for entry. Think safari in Kenya, trekking with gorillas in Uganda or exploring the Amazon in Brazil.
In most cases, using topical repellants is not enough to protect you from bites. You should refer to the World Health Organization site for more details on yellow fever.
Rabies
You see all the travelers going into Monkey Jungle in Bali. Getting extremely close for the once in a lifetime photo with a monkey grabbing food from your hand.
It seems like a good idea until you are there are realize these are wild animals. Their behavior is unpredictable and they are not afraid of humans. Just when you sit down for the perfect photo, it happens. You get bitten. Now what.
Rabies is transmitted through bites from infected animals. Besides testing, you can identify signs of animals that have been infected. Look for things like excessive drooling or aggressive behavior.
Unless we expect to have close animal encounters, most of us don’t get rabies shots as a precaution. Typically it happens after you have had an unfortunate encounter with an animal. After the initial shock wears off, you remember rabies is a thing and start looking for the nearest hospital to get treated.
You should know that the rabies vaccine can be taken as a preventive measure through a process called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). It doesn’t eliminate the need for further doses after exposure but can simplify the post exposure process. PrEP is recommended for people visiting areas with a high risk of rabies where medical care may be limited.
What Happens If I Am Exposed?
Even the most cautious and fully vaccinated people have risks. And sadly the only way to guarantee freedom of exposure is to stay home and even then there are risks. Instead of staying home, follow these simple steps.
Do your research about the destination to determine if there is high risk of exposure to any of the viruses mentioned. You can find this information on Travel.state.gov. You’ll also see indicators of whether vaccinations are required ahead of your trip.
Invest in travel accident insurance. This will help to minimize costs of treatments that are required when you are traveling. A visit to the ER in some places can wipe out your entire travel budget. Look for companies like SafetyWing.
Register with the state department ahead of your trip and download apps like International SOS. These tools can help you if you need to be evacuated for treatment.
My Perspective
Travel vaccinations are a necessary evil of international travel. A once in a lifetime trip can turn into a complete nightmare if you take the unnecessary risk of traveling without vaccinations. And while I understand not everyone can get vaccinated, those who can should consider this as smart precaution to protect your health.
Of course, you should consult with a trusted medical professional before making any decisions about what is best for you well before your departure date. Most importantly do your research before you plan anything to understand the destinations health risk and required immunizations.
Once you’ve had your vaccinations, make sure you keep a record of them for future travel. Some vaccinations are only required once in your lifetime while others may need to be updated at regular intervals.
You are now ready to get going! Make sure you stay protected and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates and personalized advice to keep your travels safe and enjoyable.
FAQs About Essential Vaccinations
How far in advance should I get vaccinated before traveling?
It’s important to get vaccinated at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel. This allows the vaccines time to become effective and ensures you’re protected during your trip.
Are travel vaccinations mandatory for all destinations?
Not all destinations require specific travel vaccinations. However, some countries mandate certain vaccines, like yellow fever, for entry. It’s essential to check the vaccination requirements of your destination before traveling.
Check CDC Travelers’ Health for details.
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