The Importance of Getting to a Vaccine Center Before Traveling

Posted: Apr 18th, 2018 at 03:13PM - by e7 Health

When traveling overseas, getting vaccinated is of utmost importance, and you need to know specifically which vaccinations you'll need, based on your destinated and planned activities. Getting sick on vacation isn't just aggravating. If you don't have access to the medical care you need, you could be in serious trouble. Plus, you don't want to bring anything back home with you.

In the United States, diseases like measles and pertussis can be easily preventable with the help of vaccines. Such is not necessarily the case in other countries, though, where these diseases can still run rampant.

Before overseas travel, there are three kinds of vaccinations that doctors will check for. There are routine vaccinations for diseases like tetanus and measles; vaccines recommended by doctors, which are usually for intermediate and high-risk areas of the world; and required vaccines for high-risk areas like Africa and South America.

As one doctor told CNN, "Pre-travel vaccinations are important because diseases that aren't found in the United States, such as typhoid or yellow fever, may be a risk in other countries. These diseases can be severe or even fatal. Even diseases that do occur in the United States, such as measles or hepatitis A, are often more common in other countries. Several countries in Europe are currently experiencing measles outbreaks, which emphasizes how important it is for travelers to be up-to-date on routine vaccines as well as get travel-related vaccines.

Before you travel, it's not only important to get to a vaccine center but also consider the country you're traveling to, what areas you'll be visiting in that country, your current health status, and your vaccination history. Additionally, you need to take into consideration what kind of activities you'll be doing once you get there. If you plan to be in the water, you might need to take specific precautions. The same can be said if you plan to visit crowded tourist spots, board a cruise ship, or travel to higher altitudes.

It's also important to consider the window of time you need to get vaccinated before you travel. You should never wait until the last minute.

It's strongly suggested you see healthcare professionals like e7 Health a minimum of four to six weeks before you travel overseas. Some vaccines need to be administered as a series. It can also take a while for your immune system to build up in your body. When you travel to some countries, be sure to bring proof that you've been vaccinated.

There are areas of the world, like Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia, that are considered high-risk for contracting diseases. For example, before traveling to Indonesia, it’s important to get vaccinated for hepatitis B and A, influenza, and typhoid. Other illnesses you should get vaccinated for include rabies, encephalitis, and cholera.

Even though countries like Thailand, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, and Fiji are considered lower to medium risk, vaccinations for illnesses like hepatitis B and A, influenza, typhoid, encephalitis, and cholera are also recommended to travelers heading over to these areas.

When traveling around the world, knowing what diseases you can potentially catch, and how to protect yourself from them, is crucial.

If you're unsure of what kind of vaccinations you should get before you travel, and what diseases you could be at risk for in a foreign land, talk to professionals who can give you the best advice and get you the right vaccines. e7 Health can take excellent care of you, making your journey healthy and safe for you, as well as the general population.

e7 Health has all of the recommended and/or required vaccines needed for your travel, including (but not limited to) vaccines for: