Travel vaccinations

Anyone travelling overseas should visit their doctor or travel health clinic to find out what vaccinations they need. Even if you think your travel destination is safe, keep in mind that disease outbreaks can and do happen. Vaccination offers good protection against many diseases.

Vaccination for all travellers
The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends certain vaccinations as routine for all travellers. These include:

• Tetanus
• Diphtheria
• Pertussis (whooping cough)
• Varicella (chicken pox)
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Polio.

• Influenza
• Pneumonia.

• Meningococcal C
• Hepatitis B
• Cervical cancer.

• Hepatitis A and B
• Typhoid
• Meningococcal meningitis
• Tuberculosis
• Rabies
• Japanese encephalitis
• Yellow fever.

• This is the most common vaccine-preventable disease in travelers.
• It is spread by contaminated food or water.
• The cause is a virus.
• Symptoms include fever, lack of energy (malaise) and jaundice (yellow skin colour).
• Hepatitis A is rarely fatal.
• Symptomatic treatment is the only treatment available.
• Vaccination is safe and extremely effective.

• This is spread by body fluid – commonly through sexual intercourse or shared syringes, but also by accident.
• The cause is a virus.
• Symptoms include fever, lack of energy (malaise) and jaundice (yellow skin colour).
• Around half of all cases worldwide result in death.
• Vaccination is safe and extremely effective.

• This is common in developing countries.
• The cause is a bacterium.
• Symptoms include fever, weakness, headache and sometimes a rash.
• Typhoid can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
• Vaccinations must be completed at least one week before travelling.

• This is common to North, Central and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
• The cause is a virus passed on by a bite or scratch from an infected dog or any mammal that carries the virus.
• Symptoms include headache and fever, then convulsions and death.
• A three-dose vaccination is given over 3–4 weeks prior to travel.
• All animal bites and scratches should be immediately and thoroughly washed with soap and water for at least 10 minutes.
• Treatment after a bite from a possibly rabid animal involves a course of five vaccines and, if previously unvaccinated, an injection of immunoglobulin.

• This is common in sub-Saharan Africa.
• The cause is a virus spread by aerosol droplets.
• Symptoms include headache, fever, confusion and neurological damage.
• Treatment can only ease the symptoms.
• Vaccination is a legal requirement for some countries.

• This is common in developing countries.
• The cause is a bacterium spread by aerosol droplets.
• Symptoms include persistent cough and fever.
• Treatment involves a prolonged course of antibiotics.
• Vaccination is recommended only for some travellers to high risk areas for prolonged periods and must be preceded by a special skin (Mantoux) test.

• This is present throughout greater Asia.
• The cause is a virus spread by infected mosquitoes.
• Symptoms include headache, fever, confusion and neurological damage.
• Treatment can only ease the symptoms.
• Three doses of vaccine are required well before you travel.

• This is present in tropical South America and sub-Saharan Africa.
• The cause is a virus spread by infected mosquitoes.
• Symptoms include fever, headache, bloody vomiting, jaundice and death.
• The vaccination gives immunity for around 10 years.
• Vaccination is a legal requirement for some countries and certification can only be given by an authorised travel health clinic.

• Your doctor
• Travel Clinics Australia Tel. 1300 369 359 – for before and after travel advice from a travel clinic doctor
• Travel Clinics Infoline Tel. 1900 969 359 – calls cost 99c per min and are not available from all mobile and public phones www.travelclinic.com.au
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Travel Advice Tel. 1300 139 281
• Travel vaccinations
• National Immunisation Infoline Tel. 1800 671 811

• Find out from your doctor or travel health clinic what vaccinations you need.
• Most illnesses can be prevented with vaccinations and a little caution.

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