Travel immunization

Anyone travelling overseas should visit their doctor or a travel health clinic to find out which vaccinations they need. Even if you think your destination is safe, keep in mind that disease outbreaks can and do happen.

Vaccination offers good protection against many diseases. As well as immunisations against new infections, you might need booster doses of vaccines you have received before. There is no single immunisation schedule that suits all travellers, so it is important to see a doctor.

Do not wait until the last minute to discuss the immunisation needs for your trip. You might need a number of doses, and your body might need time after immunisation to develop full immunity.

Routine immunisations#

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all travellers be up to date with their routine vaccinations. These commonly include:

• COVID-19
• influenza (flu)
• pneumococcal disease
• tetanus
• diphtheria
• pertussis (whooping cough)
• polio
• hepatitis B
• meningococcal disease
• measles, mumps and rubella
• varicella (chickenpox)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• human papillomavirus (HPV)
• rotavirus

Most destinations may require travellers to have completed a course of COVID-19 vaccination to be permitted entry. Check your destination’s requirements, including approved vaccines, the time since completing the course, evidence requirements, and any quarantine rules based on vaccination status.

The common diseases of childhood occur more frequently in countries without widespread immunisation programs, but they can also occur in countries that do have them. If you are travelling with children, it is important to speak with your doctor about the risks.

Measles#

Measles is one of the most important childhood vaccines to consider before travel. Many young people and adults have either missed out on the 2 doses needed for full immunity or are not sure whether they received them as a child.

If you are unsure of your measles vaccination status, or know you have had fewer than 2 doses, make sure you get vaccinated before travel, because measles is still commonly transmitted in many countries.

Children normally receive their first measles vaccine at 12 months of age. If you are travelling internationally with younger children, tell your doctor, as a child can receive their first measles vaccine from 6 months of age when travelling to a high-risk area.

Routine vaccines and medical conditions#

Some routine immunisations, such as for flu, are especially important for people with medical conditions such as asthma, respiratory and cardiac conditions, or metabolic conditions (such as diabetes), and for anyone over 65 years of age.

Selective immunisation for travellers#

For travellers to areas with a high risk of specific infections, speak with your doctor about immunisations you might need for diseases including:

• cholera
• hepatitis A
• Japanese encephalitis
• meningococcal disease
• rabies
• tick-borne encephalitis
• typhoid fever
• tuberculosis
• yellow fever

Proof of immunisation#

Some countries require proof of immunisation before you enter. Diseases that might require proof include:

• yellow fever
• meningococcal disease (specifically serogroups A, C, W and Y)
• polio

The following is a brief overview of some infectious diseases. Check with your doctor for more detailed information about your travel immunisation needs.

Hepatitis A#

Hepatitis A is the most common vaccine-preventable disease in travellers.

• It is caused by a virus and is spread by contact with contaminated food or water.
• Symptoms include fever, lack of energy (malaise) and jaundice (yellowing of the skin).
• Hepatitis A is rarely fatal, and treating the symptoms is the only treatment available.
• Immunisation is safe and extremely effective.

Hepatitis B#

• Hepatitis B is caused by a virus and is spread by body fluids, commonly through sexual intercourse or shared syringes, but also by accident.
• Symptoms include fever, lack of energy (malaise) and jaundice (yellowing of the skin).
• Around half of all cases worldwide result in death.
• Immunisation is safe and extremely effective.

Typhoid#

• Typhoid is caused by a bacterium.
• Symptoms include fever, weakness, headache and sometimes a rash.
• It can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
• Immunisation must be completed at least one week before travelling.
• Typhoid is common in Central and South America, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia.

Rabies#

• Rabies is caused by a virus passed on by a bite or scratch from an infected dog or any mammal that carries the virus.
• Symptoms include headache and fever, then convulsions (fits) and death.
• All animal bites and scratches should be immediately and thoroughly washed with soap and water for at least 10 minutes.
• A 2 or 3-dose immunisation course is given before travel.
• Treatment after a bite from a possibly rabid animal involves a course of 5 vaccines and, if you were previously unvaccinated, an injection of immunoglobulin.

Meningococcal meningitis#

• Meningococcal meningitis is spread by close contact with infected secretions from the nose.
• It is common in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Symptoms include headache, fever, confusion and a stiff neck.
• Treatment can only ease the symptoms.
• Immunisation is a legal requirement for some countries.

Tuberculosis#

• Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium spread by aerosol droplets when someone with “active” tuberculosis sings, laughs or sneezes.
• Symptoms include a persistent cough and fever.
• Treatment involves a prolonged course of antibiotics.
• Immunisation is recommended only for some travellers to high-risk areas for prolonged periods, and must be preceded by a skin (Mantoux) test.

Japanese encephalitis#

• Japanese encephalitis is present throughout Asia.
• It is caused by a virus spread from animals to humans by infected mosquitoes.
• Symptoms include headache, fever, confusion and nervous system problems.
• Treatment can only ease the symptoms.
• Three doses of vaccine are required, so speak to your doctor about when to begin immunisations.

Yellow fever#

• Yellow fever is present in tropical South America and sub-Saharan Africa.
• It is caused by a virus spread by infected mosquitoes.
• Symptoms include fever, headache, bloody vomiting, jaundice and death.
• The vaccine gives lifelong immunity for most people.
• Immunisation is a legal requirement for some countries, and certification can only be given by an authorised travel health clinic.

Diseases for which there are no vaccines#

Some infectious diseases cannot be prevented by immunisation. These are generally transmitted by food, water or a lack of hygiene (for example, “gastro,” traveller’s diarrhoea, giardiasis and amoebic dysentery) or by insects (for example, malaria and dengue fever). Your doctor will advise you on measures and medications you can take to help prevent these diseases.

Immunisation and HALO#

The immunisations you may need are decided by your health, age, lifestyle and occupation. Together, these factors are referred to as HALO. Talk to your doctor or immunisation provider if you think you or someone in your care has health, age, lifestyle or occupation factors that could mean immunisation is necessary.

Key points#

• if you are travelling with children, it is important to speak with your doctor about the risks
• hepatitis A is the most common vaccine-preventable disease in travellers
• hepatitis A is caused by a virus
• symptoms include fever, lack of energy (malaise) and jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
• treating the symptoms is the only treatment available

Where to get help#