Travel Vaccinations

Travelling overseas? Happy travels! However, have you thought about getting vaccinated before your trip? It is important to check with the doctor or nurse, the recommended vaccinations before visiting certain countries, at least 6 to 12 weeks before you leave Australia.  If you travel outside Australia, you may get sick from several diseases that vaccination can prevent.

There is no standard immunisation schedule that will suit all travellers. Different countries have different vaccination requirements. The recommended vaccines for travelling depend on several factors, including:

• Age
• Pregnancy or planning pregnancy
• Underlying medical conditions

• Vaccination history
• Location
• Season of travel

Travel is an important time to check whether you and your children are up to date with your vaccinations. These can be routine childhood vaccinations and boosters.

Some of these include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough (pertussis), polio, chickenpox (varicella) and influenza. The chance of getting these diseases may be greater while travelling overseas. Travellers can bring these diseases into Australia. This can lead to disease outbreaks. The flu (influenza) is the most common vaccine-preventable disease that travellers catch.

Some countries require proof of immunisation for some infectious diseases before you enter that country.

So, what diseases should you be aware of?

Cholera

Hepatitis A

Japanese encephalitis

Meningococcal

Rabies

Tuberculosis

Typhoid

Yellow fever

Speak to our doctor or nurse about any concerns or vaccination questions you may have and get vaccinated!