Australia is in its for short-term overseas travel. And there are so many things to consider when planning your trip. Unfortunately, it鈥檚 easy to overlook the importance of pre-travel vaccinations.
That鈥檚 particularly the case for those visiting friends and relatives, who are to get vaccinated before leaving the country. Unfortunately, this is also the group at greater risk compared to other travellers.
That鈥檚 because they generally stay longer, are more likely to travel to rural areas, eat or drink local or untreated food and water, and have closer contact with the local population.
Why are travel vaccines important?
Although infectious diseases exist everywhere, in some destinations there is a higher risk of becoming sick.
This can be due to tropical climates, the quality of water and sanitation, and insects or animals that carry diseases. This is alongside in children and low vaccine uptake in adults (for instance, ) globally.
Getting sick overseas can at best, interrupt your holiday plans, or at worst, lead to serious illness and having to navigate foreign health systems.
Which vaccines should I think about?
The first group of vaccines are , not specific to travel (for example, the measles or flu vaccine).
The next group are specific to the risk of infectious disease where you鈥檙e travelling (for example, typhoid vaccine) or related to a person鈥檚 health or planned activities.
Finally, some vaccines might be required by law (for example, a , or ). These will require evidence you鈥檝e had them for entry to some countries.
Measles
that can cause severe illness. It can transmit easily in public spaces such as shopping centres or on aeroplanes.
. This includes in Australia, where cases are mainly linked to people returning from overseas, including from popular holiday destinations in .
So ensure you鈥檙e vaccinated with two doses of the measles vaccine. You may not know if you had two doses as a child. So you should check your vaccine records or with your GP. If you鈥檙e still unsure, it鈥檚 safe to have another dose, particularly if you鈥檙e planning to travel overseas.
Measles vaccines are given to children in Australia at one year of age, but young infants are at highest risk of severe disease and death. That is why Australia currently provides an extra, free measles vaccine for .
The flu
Flu remains one of the of infection in travellers. Most people know they should get a flu vaccine during autumn or winter.
However, the vaccine best protects against disease for about . So another dose for people heading into the Northern Hemisphere winter.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver. It spreads through contaminated food or water, or through contact with an infected person. It鈥檚 common in many parts of the world.
A that can be given from one year of age. Two doses, given at least six months apart, provides lifetime protection against disease.
Typhoid
Typhoid is a bacterial disease that can cause high fevers and abdominal pain. Complications such as brain inflammation occur in .
It is most commonly acquired in people travelling to Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Typhoid, like hepatitis A, is spread through contaminated food and water.
There are : an injection (which can be given from two years of age and is safe in people who are immunocompromised) and an oral vaccine (for people over six years of age).
Rabies
Rabies is caused by a virus that spreads when an infected animal bites or scratches. Dogs are the main carrier of the virus, but any mammal can be infected, including bats, monkeys and cats. Rabies is almost always fatal.
People who are bitten or scratched by a land mammal overseas or bat anywhere need urgent treatment (called 鈥減ost-exposure prophylaxis鈥) to prevent getting rabies.
This treatment needs to given as soon as possible after the bite or scratch. But access overseas can be difficult, particularly in remote areas.
Rabies vaccination before you travel can reduce the need for this post-exposure prophylaxis or can simplify your treatment if you鈥檙e bitten or scratched by an infected animal.
So a vaccination course is recommended before travel.
Other vaccines
Other vaccines include those against:
mosquito-borne diseases and .
, a cause of severe diarrhoea
, which is recommended for sexually active gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men. It is also recommended for anyone (regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity) who is planning overseas travel with the intention of having sex with sex workers or in a country where a type of the virus known as clade I .
How do I find out more?
See your GP or a travel doctor to find out how to , including which vaccines are recommended for you. This will be based on your travel destinations, planned activities, and baseline health. Many vaccines are also available at pharmacies.
You might have to pay for some pre-travel vaccines. But this is usually a relatively small cost on top of what you鈥檝e already spent on flights, accommodation and activities, and will mean less chance of disrupting your trip.
, Paediatrician and Infectious Diseases Specialist; Clinical Researcher, ; , Public Health Physician and Conjoint Senior Lecturer in the School of Population Health, , and , Paediatrician & Infectious Diseases Physician; Senior Lecturer & NHMRC Fellow, Faculty of Medicine,
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