When planning to travel abroad, a visit to a vaccination clinic is commendable, so that you get the jabs you need to stay safe when on foreign land. You may be well aware of common jabs, such as the flu shot vaccine, typhoid fever vaccine, vaccine for meningitis, and the common yellow fever vaccine. But I bet there are some you may have never heard about, and are likely to surprise you, should you be travelling to a destination where they are required. Here is a brief look at some of them:
Japanese Encephalitis
Also known as JE, Japanese Encephalitis is a year-round risk for travelers visiting northern Asia. It is rampant in tropical and subtropical areas, and its symptoms usually take between five and fifteen days to develop. They include fever, swelling in the brain, vomiting, and potentially a coma, and sometimes, JE can even result in death. If you intend to travel to such a destination, be sure to visit your travel clinic for a jab.
Bacterial Meningitis
Whether you are participating in a pilgrimage to Mecca during the Haj, or you are travelling to sub-Saharan African during the dry seasons, this is one of the surprise shots your travel clinic will recommend. Meningococcal disease is transmitted by a bacteria, and is spread through close contact with affected persons. Symptoms include a stiff neck, severe aches and pains, fast breathing, headache, confusion, tiredness, and dark purple rashes, amongst others. Even if you received the vaccine before, a booster dose may be necessary if you will be venturing back to a high-risk area.
Rabies
Rabies is found worldwide, and almost all countries bear the same risk factors. If your travel activities involve coming into contact with animals such as dogs, foxes, raccoons, or bats, or you will be spending a lot of time in the wild, then this is another surprise vaccine your travel clinic just might recommend.