Necessary Pricks

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When traveling for an extended period, it is wise to ensure your health checks are up to date. See your local doctor for a general check up, pap smear, mole check, mammogram, colonoscopy, or whatever may be due before you go. Schedule a visit to your dentist for a routine check and clean to protect yourself from preventable aches in a country where there may be limited services. I recommend doing this months before you leave to allow time for any fillings that may be required.

Part of being careful and looking after yourself while you are overseas includes vaccinations relevant for the part of the world you will be visiting. Here are some useful websites on vaccinations:

Now, A List

Routine vaccines are the ones you had as a child. Common ones:
  • chickenpox (varicella)
  • polio
  • measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
  • diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DPT)
  • smallpox (for those born in the 1970s or earlier)

As a health professional, I was required to also have the following vaccinations:
  • Hepatitis B
  • tuberculosis

I will have these needles in the coming weeks (relevant for Latin America):
  • Hepatitis A and typhoid
  • tetanus booster and polio
  • yellow fever
  • rabies (maybe)
  • Fluvax (maybe)

The yellow fever and rabies vaccinations can only be carried out in a travel health clinic, while the others can be given through your local medical center. Some countries require a yellow fever certificate of vaccination or similar proof on entry. An important point is that you should obtain vaccinations at least two months before you depart, as some are delivered in a course of up to three shots, spread over several weeks.

Here are some travel health clinics in the Brisbane area:

Finally, malaria does not have a vaccination. Tablets are available if you are expecting to travel through regions where malaria is a problem, but precautions to prevent getting bitten in the first place like DEET, nets and long sleeved clothing is wise.

Comments

  1. TravMonkeyMay 28, 2009 3:08 am

    Nice article, I had about 14 injections before heading off for my last 22 month trip! I felt like a pin cushion!

    Interesting post.

    Thanks,

    ReplyDelete

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