Travel vaccinations should not be viewed as a simple precaution, they should be looked at as vital protection for anyone travelling abroad. According to the NHS, one in four British travellers heading to parts of the world known for being home to infectious disease travels without having had vaccinations.
Some people assume that because they are not particularly prone to getting ill at home, they will more than likely be OK abroad. But places in Asia and Africa expose you to diseases you will not have had to deal with in the UK, and if the body is not prepared, you can fall ill quite easily. Having perhaps saved for months to be able to afford that dream holiday, it’s not worth risking having it spoiled by illness, which could then mean having to meet hefty medical bills or even pay for repatriation.
The first thing to consider is what type of vaccinations you will likely need. This handy interactive NHS guide allows you to isolate your destination(s) and find out what diseases you may be at risk of if you travel there. For example, if you select ‘Thailand’ it recommends looking into vaccinations for typhoid, diphtheria, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis B and cholera, as well as giving some brief information on each disease.
Another reason not to overlook vaccinations is the fact that many of them are available for free! Speak to your GP about what vaccinations are available to you on the NHS, but you can get an idea from this section of the health service’s website. Some immunisations will have to be paid for privately but don’t let this put you off; most are available from high-street chemists such as Lloyds pharmacy and are not expensive – especially when compared to the potential cost of getting treatment for the disease abroad.
Obviously, doing research about the vaccinations you’ll need and having them done can take a little time, so don’t wait until the last minute. Travel vaccinations should be part of your holiday preparations every time you go away, and bear in mind that some treatments must be taken over the course of a few weeks, or you might need a period of watching for adverse reactions to these shots before you travel anywhere.
