Traveling the world is a fantastic opportunity to expose yourself to new cultures, environments, and exciting activities. But it is also a time you will expose yourself to a myriad of health risks, hence the need for the various travel vaccines so that you stay safe and healthy to enjoy your trips. While you think about going for the respective travel immunizations, here are the three categories of immunizations worth having in mind:
Routine Vaccinations
Routine vaccinations are commonplace for younger patients, but also vital for adults, especially those traveling out of the country. Vaccinations such as hepatitis A & B, influenza and typhoid are recommended for all travelers, irrespective of the destination. Polio, rabies, Japanese Encephalitis, and yellow fever are also vaccinations routinely recommended depending on your travel destination. Before you travel, take a look at your immunization record so that you know the routine vaccinations you should get for the travel.
Required Vaccinations
Required vaccinations are necessary when you are headed to specific countries or regions with known high risks for certain vaccine-preventable diseases. For instance, if you are going to Japan and will be spending time in the rural areas for more than a month, you may be required to get Japanese Encephalitis immunization. And if you are going to Africa or South America, you may need to provide proof that you have received the yellow fever vaccine.
Recommended vaccines
These vaccines are not necessarily a must-have, but they will provide additional protection in instances when you get exposed to specific risks during your travel. To know the recommended vaccines, contact your travel clinic and share your destination with them as well as your itinerary for the best advice. For example, if you are traveling to South America and you are pregnant, you may need protection from the Zika virus. Also, if you are traveling to the Indochina region or Africa, typhoid vaccines may be highly recommended.