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Fact Sheets

Vaccinations Before Travel

BEFORE YOU GO

Whatever your destination, the best possible pre-travel preparation is essential to protecting your health while away. Some vaccines are compulsory, & you will have difficulty crossing borders without correct documentation. Other vaccines are highly recommended for your own health & safety, but you will not be asked for documentation when you pass international borders.

The Travel Doctor will discuss your specific needs but the following general guidelines may be helpful when planning a new trip.

COMPULSORY VACCINES

* Yellow fever vaccine is compulsory for parts of Africa & South America.
* Meningitis vaccine for Saudi Arabia at time of the Haj.

RECOMMENDED VACCINES
ALL TRAVELLERS

No matter where you are going, it is recommended that you ensure your childhood vaccines are up to date - usually within the last ten years; e.g. Tetanus, diphtheria, measles, polio. All travellers should consider influenza vaccine.

SOME TRAVELLERS

All travellers to developing parts of the world should have protection against hepatitis-A. Others may need typhoid, rabies & hepatitis-B. Travellers over 65 years, & those with chronic medical problems, are generally recommended Pneumonia vaccine before any overseas trip. Travellers who visit high risk areas may be recommended vaccines such as, meningitis, Japanese encephalitis, tick borne encephalitis or rarely cholera.