
Travel vaccines, also called travel immunizations, are shots travelers can get before visiting certain areas of the world that help protect them from serious illnesses.
Vaccinations work by exposing the body to a germs or parts of germs of the disease it will protect against. You can’t get the disease from the vaccine because the viruses or bacteria are dead or severely weakened.
The body responds to the vaccination by making antibodies that will protect you if you are exposed to the disease in the future.
Travel vaccines are safe, effective ways to help protect travelers from bringing home more than they bargained for.
EUROPE
There is not a must vaccine you have to get, before you travel to Europe, however there are recommanded ones for some travellers:
- Diptheria (anytime before travel – 1 dose)
- Hepatitis A (2 weeks before travel – 1 dose)
- Hepatitis B (3 weeks before travel – 3 doses)
- MMR (1 month before travel – 2 doses)
- Polio (anytime before travel – 1 dose)
- Rabies (4 weeks before travel – 3 doses)
- Tetanus (Anytime before travel – 1 dose)
- Tick borne encephalitis (3 months before travel – 2 doses)
- Typhoid (2 weeks before travel – 1 dose)
*Vaccination schedules are approximate and are calculated based on the first dose. Schedules are subject to change depending on your individual needs and will be discussed in your appointment. These are the minimum times required to complete courses or for vaccines to become fully effective. You can always start your course of vaccinations earlier than stated, as vaccines work best when your body has time to process them. Your Travel Nurse will discuss any health implications in your appointment.
AFRICA
- Diphteria (all travellers must, anytime before travel – 1 dose)
- Hepatitis A (all travellers must, 2 weeks before travel – 1 dose)
- Polio (all travellers must, 2 weeks before travel – 1 dose)
Not a must, but recommanded:
- Cholera (6 weeks before travel)
- Hepatitis B (3 weeks before travel – 1 dose)
- Meningitis acwy (2 weeks before travel – 1 dose)
- Mmr (1 month before travel – 2 doses)
- Rabies (4 weeks before travel – 3 doses)
- Tetanus (Anytime before travel – 1 dose)
- Typhoid (2 doses)
- Yellow fever (10 days before travel – 1 dose)
ASIA
Keep in mind:
There is an ongoing Coronavirus outbreak in China. Travel to China, is not advised as risk is high.
- Diphteria (Anytime before travel – 1 dose)
- Hepatitis A (2 weeks before travel – 1 dose)
Not a must, but recommanded ones for some travellers:
- Cholera (6 weeks before travel – 2 doses)
- Hepatitis B (3 weeks before travel – 3 doses)
- Japanese encephalitis (3 months before travel – 2 doses)
- Mmr (1 month before travel – 2 doses)
- Polio (anytime before travel – 1 dose)
- Rabies (4 weeks before travel – 3 doses)
- Tetanus (anytime before travel – 1 dose)
- Tick borne encephalitis (3 months before travel – 2 doses)
- Typhoid (2 weeks before travel – 1 dose)
- Yellow fever (10 days before travel – 1 dose)
NORTH AMERICA, CENTRAL AMERICA & CARRIBEAN
There is not a must vaccine you have to get, before you travel to North America, Central America or the Carribbean however there are recommanded ones for some travellers:
- Cholera (6 weeks before travel – 2 doses)
- Diphteria (Anytime before travel – 1 dose)
- Hepatitis A (2 weeks before travel – 1 dose)
- Hepatitis B (3 weeks before travel – 3 doses)
- Mmr (1 month before travel -2 doses)
- Rabies (4 weeks before travel – 3 doses)
- Tetanus (Anytime before travel – 1 dose)
- Typhoid (2 weeks before travel – 1 dose)
- Yellow fever (10 days before travel – 1 dose)
SOUTH AMERICA
Some countries in South America are suffering an outbreak of Chikungunya virus, which is spread by infected mosquitoes.
- Hepatitis A (2 weeks before travel – 1 dose)
- Tetanus (Anytime before travel – 1 dose )
Not a must, but recommanded ones for some travellers:
- Cholera (6 weeks before travel – 2 doses)
- Diphteria (Anytime before travel – 1 dose)
- Mmr (1 month before travel – 2 doses)
- Rabies (4 weeks before travel – 3 doses)
- Typhoid (2 weeks before travel – 1 dose)
- Yellow fever (10 days before travel – 1 dose)
AUSTRALIA AND PACIFIC
There is not a must vaccine you have to get, before you travel to Australia or the Pacific, however there are recommanded ones for some travellers:
- Cholera (6 weeks before travel – 2 doses)
- Diphteria (Anytime before travel – 1 dose)
- Hepatitis A (2 weeks before travel – 1 dose)
- Hepatitis B (3 weeks before travel – 3 doses)
- Japanese encephalitis (3 months before travel – 2 doses)
- Mmr (1 month before travel – 2 doses)
- Rabies (4 weeks before travel -3 doses)
- Tetanus (Anytime before travel – 1 dose)
- Typhoid (2 weeks before travel – 1 dose)
- Yellow fever (10 days before travel – 1 dose)
FEW OTHER ROUTINE VACCINATION
- Huamn papilonavirus
- Seasonal influenza
- Measles
- Mumps
- Pertussis
- Rubella
- Pneumococcal disease
- Rotavirus
- Varicella
- Haemophilus influenzae type B
Malaria Prevention
If there is a risk of malaria at your destination, your health care provider may prescribe medicine to prevent malaria. Some drugs must be started 1—2 weeks before you go, while others only need to be started 1—2 days before you go.
Be sure to let your doctor or nurse know if you’re leaving soon, so they can prescribe the right medicine for you. You will still need to take steps to prevent mosquito bites during travel, since malaria drugs are not 100% effective and they don’t protect against other diseases spread by mosquitoes (like Zika, dengue, and chikungunya).
SUMMARY
Hope this list helps you start to plan your holiday in a more healthy way, always check with your local health organisation where and how you can get the vaccinations for your trip.
If i am missing something out, let me know!
Otherwise, have a safe and healthy travel!

























