Health in general

As travel to exotic destinations becomes more common, travellers increasingly are exposed to infectious diseases which are not present or common at home. Fortunately, many of these diseases can be prevented through vaccination, medication, and some simple precautions.

 

If you are travelling, you should consult with your doctor regarding the precautions to take based on your travel itinerary and personal medical history. Your healthcare provider may provide anti-malarial medication and antibiotics for traveller's diarrhoea, or other vaccinations for common diseases related to travel such as yellow fever or typhoid. A pre-travel visit to the doctor also facilitates evaluation of any infections that may be acquired during travel. In order to allow vaccinations to take effect, appointments should be scheduled at least 1 month before departure.

 

Typical requirements by destination

 

These are frequently recommended vaccine and medication requirements. The exact requirements of an individual traveller may be quite different depending on the exact locations of travel, season, previous vaccines, etc. Additional vaccines may be needed for prolonged stays in some areas or for unusual exposure risks.

To get travel and health information for a specific location, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention destination list and view the following guidelines on vaccinations.

General Recommendations on Vaccinations     

 

For many destinations it is advisable that travellers obtain specific vaccinations. The CDC maintains a list of diseases that pertain to travel, visit here

http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentDiseases.aspx

 

Another good preliminary step is to obtain the International Certificate of Vaccination (2005) Trilingual (English/French/Arabic) from the WHO website.  This WHO booklet includes the Model International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis contained in Annex 6 of the International Health Regulations (2005). The Certificate is used for recording vaccinations or prophylaxis, in accordance with the IHR (2005), including vaccination or revaccination against yellow fever.

 

Some general guidelines and recommendations are as follows:

  • Tetanus: 3 doses usually in childhood, 2nd after 1 to 6 months, 3rd after 6-12 months.  Booster dose recommended every 10 years, but if less than 10 years, then 2 doses 1 month apart.
  • Polio: 3 doses at monthly intervals over 3 months, usually in childhood.  Booster for adults travelling to risk areas every 10 years. Oral vaccine available (injectable vaccine used for immune-compromised persons).
  • Hepatitis A: 2 doses.  2nd after 6 to 12 months.
  • Hepatitis B: 3 doses.  2nd 4 weeks after 1st. 3rd dose 6 to 12 months after 2nd.
  • Typhoid: Single dose every 3 years.

 

Area Specific Vaccines  

  • Yellow Fever: Single dose at least 10 days before travel and valid 10 years.  For areas of South America and sub-Saharan Africa.  From age 12 months.
  • Meningococcal meningitis: Single dose every 2-5 years, (depending on the type of vaccine).  For sub-Saharan Africa and some parts of Asia.
  • Diphtheria: Usually done in childhood.  Booster every 10 years possibly combined with tetanus.  Unimmunised adults 3 injections of low dose vaccine (monthly intervals).  For Belarus, Russian Federation and the Ukraine.
  • Japanese Encephalitis: 3 doses - 2nd on 7th day, 3rd dose after 30 days but at least 10 days before travel.  Thereafter, a booster every 3 years.  Only for stays of 12 months in rural endemic areas of SE Asia.

 

Malaria Prophylaxis  

This is area specific. In some cases it should be started two weeks before departure and a trial dose may be recommended.  Please follow the advice of your local health practitioner.

 

Other Resources related to Health and Travel  

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Canadian Society for International Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (USA)
Centre Médical de l'Institut Pasteur (France)
Comité d'Informations Médicales (CIMED) (France)
Department of Health (England)
Department of Health, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Irish Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM)
Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes (France)
National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) (United Kingdom)
Office fédéral de la santé publique (OFSP) (Switzerland)
Public Health Agency of Canada
Public Health Agency of Canada Quarantine, Travel Medicine and Migration Health Programs
The International Society of Travel Medicine
SafeTravel.ch (Switzerland)