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Ah, summer. The perfect time to travel with loved ones, friends, and family. But before you go on your trips, you need to get the necessary vaccinations for travel.
It’s a beautiful time to hang around California’s beaches and catch a few rays, but it’s also a terrific time to get out there and explore the world. From the jungles of Madagascar to the Roman colosseum and even the White Cliffs of Dover in England, warmer weather brings endless opportunities for exploration.
The problem, unfortunately, is that all of that exploration can expose you to some seriously undesirable illnesses.
- Diseases like hepatitis A and B, Zika virus, and even measles aren’t all that common here, but your risk of contracting them rises when you travel to certain areas of the world.
- Even polio, which has essentially been eradicated in the western world, remains a clear and present danger in places like Papua New Guinea.
While you can’t protect against every disease when you travel, getting the necessary vaccinations for travel is the most effective way to protect yourself during worldwide adventures.
We’ll tell you why you should consider vaccinations before you go and which vaccines you might need in this helpful summertime guide.
What Is the Importance of Vaccines?
First, let’s talk a little bit about why vaccines are so important, and why you need them in the first place. It’s accurate, but incredibly oversimplified, to say “because they help prevent you from becoming sick.”
Vaccines are formulated using substances and medicines that trigger your immune system to produce antibodies against certain diseases. Sometimes, the vaccine itself contains the antibodies, allowing you to develop immunity directly.
This is one of the safest, most reliable ways to inoculate a person against communicable diseases.
In other cases, the substance is a deactivated or inert version of the germ or virus that causes the disease of concern in the first place. This deactivated version won’t make you sick with the symptoms of the associated disease, but your body does still detect it and trigger your immune system in the same way.
Vaccines in Real Life
Need an example? Think about the measles vaccine. It contains a modified, deactivated version of the Rubeola virus.
This weakened virus isn’t strong enough to make you sick, but your body still detects it as measles, producing the same level of antibodies as if you were sick. You develop immunity without having to suffer.
That’s one of the miracles of modern science!
Okay, But Why Do I Need Vaccinations for Travel?
This is a great question.
Visiting another country may put you at risk for diseases you either haven’t yet encountered, don’t have the right antibodies for, or just plain can’t fight off. However, vaccinations required for travel can reduce this.
Disease presence often differs by country, city, and even, in some cases, continent. Even social practices around hygiene, food safety, and illness etiquette can change your risk of getting sick.
- Think about the aforementioned example of Papua New Guinea; there, polio is still a significant risk to unvaccinated persons. While you’re less likely to encounter polio here in the United States, you’re significantly more likely to contract it if you visit this tiny tropical country – especially if you are unvaccinated.
- Another great example is high rates of Hepatitis A and B in some southern or tropical countries where travel vaccinations aren’t standard or recommended.
These two diseases spread by unsafe food and drink handling practices; someone who is infected need only touch the food you eat or the ice cubes in your drink to put you at risk.
In some cases, the infected person may not even be aware they’re infected because of poor access to health care (often the case in third world countries). Since there’s no way to tell who’s sick at a glance, these required vaccinations for travel are much safer.
When Should I Get Vaccinated for Travel?
Because vaccines take time to produce immunity, you shouldn’t leave pre-travel vaccinations to the last minute.
For the best chance of protection, it’s ideal to see your doctor or pharmacist about vaccinations at least four to six weeks prior to your trip.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get vaccinations for travel if you don’t have four to six weeks to wait before you leave.
Getting your vaccinations now will still afford you a small amount of protection because your body starts to build immunity the moment you receive a vaccine.
As the number of antibodies present rises over time so does your level of protection – even during your trip.
Which Vaccines Do I Need?
Travel vaccines fall into two different categories: routine vaccinations you should have anyway as an American citizen, and vaccinations which attempt to address risks specific to your unique destination.
Other factors, such as pre-existing conditions and/or type of travel (sea or air), may mean you need additional vaccines to ensure your safety.
Speak with your pharmacist for an individualized recommendation.
The CDC recommends a universal set of “standard travel vaccinations” for all Americans traveling outside of the country, regardless of destination.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A – Given in two doses at six-month intervals. Receiving only the first dose will give some immunity, but there isn’t full coverage until after the final booster shot.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B – Given in three doses at 0, 1, and 6 months. As with Hepatitis A, receiving only the first dose will afford some protection, while following the full vaccination schedule ensures immunity.
Typhoid Fever
Typhoid Fever – Available in an oral or injectable formula. The oral formula requires four individual doses spaced at two-day intervals; treatment must complete at least 10 days prior to travel.
The injectable vaccine comes in a single dose at least two weeks prior to travel.
Traveler’s Diarrhea
Traveler’s Diarrhea – Administered in an oral formula taken by mouth in either two doses (for adults) or three doses (for children over the age of two).
This vaccine provides approximately three months of protection. If you intend to travel for longer than this time frame, you may require a booster dose.
Cholera
Cholera – Given in two doses (for adults and children over the age of six) or three doses (for children under six).
Coverage for adults and older children lasts approximately two years. Children under six may need additional boosters at the six-month mark.
Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese Encephalitis – Administered in two individual doses at 0 and 28 days. Last-minute travelers can request an accelerated dosing schedule, but full vaccination should be completed at least one week prior to travel.
Meningitis
Meningitis – Given in a single inoculation at least 10 days prior to travel, especially to high-risk countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and/or the Middle East.
Some Americans may already be vaccinated, while others may only need a booster shot prior to travel.
Rabies
Rabies – Given in three individual doses at 0, 7, and 21 days. An accelerated dosing schedule may be available.
Highly recommended for anyone who plans to be in close contact with animals (safari, animal care volunteers).
Yellow Fever
Yellow Fever – Given in a single dose at least 10 days prior to travel, especially to Africa and South America.
Certain countries may require proof or receipts of getting your vaccinations.
Malaria
Malaria – Dose depends on the patient, the level of risk, and drug resistance at the patient’s destination.
Anti-malarias are generally given as a series of prophylactic oral medications taken the entire time the patient is traveling. Protection lasts as long as you continue to take the drug.
Conclusion
Have questions about recommended vaccinations for travel? Call your local pharmacy for a free consultation. Getting vaccinated is quick, easy, and safe!
