Travel Vaccinations To Keep You Healthy During The Holidays

Getting a flu vaccination before you depart helps reduce the chances of getting influenza, or the flu. It is a contagious viral disease that causes fevers, chills, runny nose, sore throat and muscle aches. This disease is spread by close contact, coughing or sneezing, and it can infect anyone.

Hepatitis A is a viral liver disease that can cause mild to severe illness. The virus is primarily spread when an uninfected (and unvaccinated) person ingests food or water that is contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, pale stools, dark-coloured urine, loss of appetite, and yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This vaccination is recommended for travellers going to countries where Hepatitis A is common.

Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is spread through blood, transfusion of blood products and sharing of bodily fluids. Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, dark urine and jaundice.

A Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for those travelling to Asia, South and Central America, or Africa. Pre-vaccination, an antibodies test is recommended.

Twinrix is a combined Hepatitis A and B vaccine that can be given as a convenient alternative for individuals who lack immunity to both Hepatitis A and B.

Three doses will be given, with the second and third dose given 1 and 6 months after the first dose.

Yellow Fever is a mosquito-borne infection. In urban areas, transmission is from human to human via the Aedes mosquito. The disease is present in Africa, Central and South America.

Vaccination is recommended for people aged 9 months or older, and who are travelling to or living in areas at risk for Yellow Fever virus in Africa, Central and South America. A proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is required for entry to some countries.

You must get the vaccination at least 10 days before your trip.

Japanese Encephalitis is a mosquito-borne brain infection caused by the flavivirus. It is mainly found in rural areas where rice cultivation and pig farming are common. The disease is spread from infected wading birds, pigs and horses to humans via a mosquito carrying the virus.

The most effective way to prevent Japanese Encephalitis is by getting vaccinated before visiting a high-risk area.

The vaccine is given as a two-dose series, with the doses spaced 28 days apart. You must get the vaccination at least 2 weeks before travel.

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

Meningitis is caused by viruses and bacteria which live in the noses and at the back of people’s throats. Teenagers are at a higher risk of contracting meningitis as they usually mix with different people at a close proximity.

You should get the Nimerix vaccine to protect you against meningitis at least 2 weeks before you travel.

Malaria Prophylaxis is a disease caused by a malaria parasite called plasmodium. It spreads to humans commonly through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.

The risk of infection varies with regions and activities.