Heading to Asia for some winter sun? Don't forget your vaccinations

Make sure you’re correctly immunised before you travel.

Travelling anywhere is exciting, but as winter approaches it may seem like a great idea to leave the cold shores of the northern reaches of our planet for sunnier climes. Just as with anything, travelling anywhere comes with risks. Whilst some things cannot be changed, like the weather, for example, there are certain risks that can be avoided through simple procedures.

Getting immunised through vaccinations against numerous deadly diseases, depending on where you’re travelling, should be a necessary consideration before any international trip you take. Here is what you need to know about vaccinations and why they are important.

Do I even need a vaccination?

If you’re travelling to regions such as Asia, it’s advisable to speak with a travel healthcare professional before you go.

Maybe – if you are travelling to a different country. Travelling abroad puts you at risk, particularly if you are backpacking, travelling in rural areas, or are working overseas. Vaccinations can immunise you against various diseases and illness by giving you a small dosage so that your body can learn to fight the disease and build up resistance against it.

Some vaccinations require more than one injection before your body is fully immune and can take several weeks to take full effect. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have an autoimmune disease, then you may need to contact your health provider for further advice.

Most likely, you won’t require a vaccination for every country you visit, and even if you do have to have an injection, you may have already been vaccinated before. The ones you need will depend on which part of the world you are travelling to. You may also be required to have certain vaccinations as part of your ICVP (International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis). Some vaccinations that you will need for travelling to Asia include:

Typhoid

Spread through contaminated water and food, Typhoid is a gastrointestinal bacterial infection that can be fatal if left untreated. Causing fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, it affects around 20 million people every year.

Japanese Encephalitis

Spread through mosquitos, this disease is most common throughout rural areas of Asia. It can cause vomiting, fever and even death. Despite the name, it is recommended for travel throughout any part of Asia, not just Japan.

Hepatitis A

Spread through contaminated water and food, Hepatitis A is an incredibly infectious disease that affects around 400,000 people in Southeast Asia. Whilst the symptoms are treatable, there is currently no cure, which is why the vaccine is strongly advisable.

Malaria

Malaria cannot be prevented by a vaccine, but you can take medications that protect you throughout while you are away. A serious disease, spread by mosquitoes, Malaria can sometimes be fatal, and almost always has serious side effects.

So, you need to know which medications will work for you. There are several kinds, some which may have side effects like stopping your birth control from working properly, so be sure to book an appointment with a qualified travel nurse before you leave and ask them about exactly what you’ll need.

When and where can I get them?

Different vaccinations will take different amounts of time before you are fully immunised and protected. It is recommended that you start getting your vaccinations up to six months before you depart, and you may even need an earlier consultation as your health nurse may need to order in the correct vaccinations for you.

You should consult a travel clinic for more advice about which vaccinations are recommended and the costs of the vaccines. It is fairly easy to find a clinic with a focus on travel medicine, like this one in Ottawa. But, if you are having difficulty locating one near you then you should consult your health practitioner. Some vaccinations can come under your health or travel insurance, so be sure to check yours.

Vaccinations may seem scary, but they will protect you from things much worse. Through a simple injection, you can be protected from life-threatening diseases and viruses, so the benefits definitely outweigh any small risks.

 

Do you have any tips when it comes to getting travel vaccinations? Let me know in the comments! 👇