Imagine that you have bought a ticket and packed your bags to travel to your favorite country. Everything is fine. But have you really thought about your health during and after your trip? Although we don't know, when traveling to some countries, it may be necessary to get special vaccines to protect yourself from diseases that are not common in our country, but are common in those countries. So, today we will talk about these vaccines that you need to know if you want to have a happy and healthy trip abroad.
When should I see a doctor?
This is the most important thing. It is not a good idea to rush to the doctor at the last minute after you have your plane ticket. This is because some vaccines can take 4 to 6 weeks to work in the body and provide full protection. Also, some vaccines do not work in one dose and require two or three doses, spaced a few weeks apart.
Therefore, the best thing to do is to meet with your family doctor (doctor) at least a month or a month and a half before your trip, get the necessary advice about the country you are going to and the details of the trip. That way, you can do everything you need on time without any hassle.
What are these 'common vaccines' that are important to everyone?
Before you decide which country you are going to, you should check whether your routine vaccinations are up-to-date. These are the vaccines that we receive in Sri Lanka from childhood to protect ourselves from various diseases. Since these diseases are also found in foreign countries, having completed our routine vaccinations will provide you with great protection.
Check the table below and talk to your doctor about whether you should get all of these vaccines or if you need a booster dose.
| Routine Vaccine | Diseases that are protected |
|---|---|
| Combined measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine | It provides protection against all three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. |
| Measles, mumps, whooping cough (Tdap/DTP) | It provides protection against these three serious diseases. Adults also need a 'booster' dose from time to time. |
| Polio | This vaccine is essential because polio is still present in some countries. |
| Chickenpox | If you didn't get chickenpox as a child or didn't get the vaccine, it's important to get this. |
| Hepatitis B | Protects against severe infection affecting the liver. |
| Annual Flu Vaccine | To protect against flu viruses that change every year. |
| COVID-19 | It is important to have received the recommended COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses. |
What special vaccinations are required depending on the country you are visiting?
This is the question that many people have. What specific vaccinations you need depends entirely on the country you are traveling to .
Most commonly recommended vaccines
Many travelers, especially those traveling to South Asian, African, and South American countries, are recommended to get vaccinated against Hepatitis A and Typhoid . Both of these diseases are transmitted through contaminated food and water. We are at risk of contracting these diseases if we eat food from an unknown place or drink bottled water.
Must-have vaccines
If you are traveling to some countries in Africa or South America, it is mandatory to get the Yellow Fever vaccine. This is not just a recommendation. You will not be allowed to enter those countries without proof of having received this vaccine.
Countries that do not require special vaccinations
However, if you are traveling to a developed country like Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and many countries in Western Europe, you may not need any additional special vaccinations. However, you should definitely have completed the general vaccinations we discussed earlier.
Non-vaccine, but important protective measures
There are no vaccines for some serious diseases, but there are other ways to protect yourself from them.
Malaria
Malaria is not a disease that can be prevented by a vaccine. However, if you are traveling to an area where malaria is a risk (such as some tropical areas in Africa and Asia), your doctor may prescribe a pill to protect you from it. You should start taking this medicine a few days before you travel, continue taking it during your trip, and continue for a few days after you return. It is very important to take the full course of medication without fail.
Dengue & Zika
Dengue and Zika are also diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, but there is no vaccine yet. We know about it because dengue is also present in Sri Lanka. If you are going to a country where such diseases are common, the best thing to do is to protect yourself from mosquitoes .
- Apply mosquito repellents to your body.
- Wear long, loose-fitting clothing that covers as much of your body as possible, especially in the morning and evening.
- Sleep under mosquito nets.
- The risk of mosquitoes is reduced if you stay in air-conditioned rooms.
How to find the most accurate information?
Although there is information about this on various websites on the Internet, only your doctor can give you the most accurate and reliable advice that is right for you. He or she will ask you questions like:
- Which country are you going to?
- What areas of the country do you live in? (Urban, rural, jungle?)
- How long is the trip?
- How old are you?
- Do you have other medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or asthma?
- Are you pregnant?
After considering all of this, he will decide exactly what vaccines and protection measures you need.
While it's good to research information online, never base your decisions solely on that information. Finally, be sure to talk to a doctor and follow his or her advice.
Take-Home Message
- If you are planning a trip abroad, consult your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before the trip.
- Make sure all of your routine vaccinations (such as MMR, Tdap, Polio) are up-to-date.
- The specific vaccinations you need (such as Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Yellow Fever) depend on the country you are traveling to and your health status.
- There are no vaccines for diseases like malaria, and appropriate medications must be taken. Avoiding mosquito bites is essential to protect against diseases like dengue and Zika.
- The best and safest way to get the most accurate information about the vaccinations and health advice you need is to discuss it with your doctor.
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