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Please note: This information was as
current as we could make it on the date given above. But medical information is
always changing, and some information given here may be out of date. For
regularly updated information on a variety of health topics, please visit
familydoctor.org, the AAFP patient
education Web site. |
An article on this topic is available in
this issue of AFP.
Travel Vaccines
What are travel vaccines?
Travel vaccines are shots you get before you travel to another country. In some countries, especially developing countries, certain diseases are common among the people. Sometimes you can get a disease by drinking water with tiny bugs in it or by getting bitten by a bug. To protect yourself from getting these diseases while you travel, you need to be vaccinated.
Some countries require that you provide proof when you enter the country that you have been vaccinated against certain diseases. Your doctor can give you the shots you need and the papers that provide proof, or can tell you where you need to go to get them.
When should I see my doctor?
You should see your doctor at least one to four months before you leave on your trip. This will give your doctor enough time to tell you how to stay healthy during your trip. It also should be enough time to get any shots or pills you might need. With your doctor's help and travel vaccines and other medicines, you should have a safe and healthy trip.
Your doctor will evaluate your need for travel vaccines or medicines based on the following:
- Plans for your trip, including possible stopovers
- How long you will stay in each place
- Where you will be staying (a hotel, friend's house, etc.)
- All planned activities
You should have this information with you when you see your doctor before your trip.
How do travel vaccines work?
Travel vaccines contain a weakened or killed form of the disease-causing germs (bacteria or virus). When put into your body, they help keep you from getting the disease when you are exposed to the live germs.
Sometimes there are no vaccines to keep you from getting certain diseases, such as malaria. There may be some medicines you can take to help keep you healthy. This is called preventive medication.
Are travel vaccines safe?
In most cases, there are no serious side effects from travel vaccines. Some vaccines may cause mild pain and swelling at the injection site. More severe reactions are rare.
What are the common travel vaccines?
Your doctor will review the plans for your trip and decide if you need any vaccines. The vaccines you got when you were a child also may need to be updated if you are not fully protected. Vaccines that may be needed to protect you include the following:
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Hepatitis A or hepatitis A immune globulin
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza (the flu)
- Japanese encephalitis
- Measles-mumps-rubella
- Meningococcal meningitis
- Pneumococcal
- Polio
- Rabies
- Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids
- Typhoid fever
- Yellow fever
Where can I get more information?
• Your doctor
• The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (gives information on diseases that may affect travel
and vaccines required by your travel destination)
Telephone:
1-877-394-8747
Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/travel
• World Health Organization
(gives information on vaccine requirements and health advice)
Web site:
http://www.who.int/ith
• American Society of Tropical
Medicine and Hygiene (gives information on doctors who specialize in travel and
tropical medicine)
Web site: http://www.astmh.org
• International Society of
Travel Medicine (gives information on travel clinics in your area)
Telephone: 1-770-736-7060
Web site: http://www.istm.org
| This handout provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this handout applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor. Visit familydoctor.org for information on this and many other health-related topics. Copyright © 2004 by the
American Academy of Family Physicians. |
