There are several things to consider when planning your travel vaccinations, including:
- the country or countries you're visiting – some diseases are more common in certain parts of the world and less common in others
- when you're travelling – some diseases are more common at certain times of the year; for example, during the rainy season
- where you're staying – in general, you'll be more at risk of disease in rural areas than in urban areas, and if you're backpacking and staying in hostels or camping, you may be more at risk than if you were on a package holiday and staying in a hotel
- how long you'll be staying – the longer your stay, the greater your risk of being exposed to diseases
- your age and health – some people may be more vulnerable to infection than others, while some vaccinations can't be given to people with certain medical conditions
- what you'll be doing during your stay – for example, whether you'll be spending a lot of time outdoors, such as trekking or working in rural areas
- if you're working as an aid worker – you may come into contact with more diseases if you're working in a refugee camp or helping after a natural disaster
- if you're working in a medical setting – for example, a doctor or nurse may require additional vaccinations
- if you are in contact with animals – in this case, you may be more at risk of getting diseases spread by animals, such as rabies
If you're only travelling to countries in northern and central Europe, North America or Australia, you're unlikely to need any vaccinations. If possible, see your travel pharmacist at least eight weeks before you're due to travel. Some vaccinations need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity. Some also involve multiple doses spread over several weeks.
