As the UK enters a peak period for overseas holidays, health experts are urging travellers not to overlook a critical part of trip planning: pre-travel vaccinations. This warning comes amid global disease outbreaks and is particularly vital for those visiting friends and relatives abroad, who are statistically at higher risk.
Why Vaccination is a Non-Negotiable for Travellers
While infectious diseases are found worldwide, the risk of falling ill increases significantly in many popular destinations. Factors such as tropical climates, varying standards of water sanitation, and disease-carrying insects contribute to this heightened threat. Furthermore, declining childhood vaccination rates and low adult vaccine uptake globally add to the concern.
Getting sick abroad can derail a holiday at best, or lead to severe illness and the challenge of navigating a foreign healthcare system at worst. The group most vulnerable are travellers visiting friends and family, as they often stay longer, travel to rural areas, consume local food and water, and have closer contact with local populations, yet are less likely to seek pre-travel health advice.
Key Vaccines for Your Travel Health Checklist
Travel vaccines fall into three main categories: routine jabs like measles, destination-specific vaccines like typhoid, and legally required vaccinations such as yellow fever for entry to certain countries. Consulting a GP or travel clinic is essential for personalised advice.
Measles: This highly contagious virus is causing outbreaks globally, including cases linked to travel in Southeast Asia. Ensure you have had two doses of the MMR vaccine. If unsure of your status, it is safe to have another dose. Notably, Australia offers an extra free measles vaccine for infants from six months old if travelling overseas, highlighting the severe risk to young children.
Seasonal Flu: Influenza is a common traveller's illness. As vaccine protection wanes after three to four months, a dose is recommended for those heading into the Northern Hemisphere's winter season.
Hepatitis A: Spread through contaminated food and water, this liver infection is prevalent in many parts of the world. Two doses of the vaccine, given six months apart, provide lifetime protection and can be administered from one year of age.
Typhoid: Common in travellers to Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, this bacterial disease causes high fever and abdominal pain, with serious complications in 10-15% of cases. Vaccines are available as an injection (from age two) or an oral course (from age six).
Specialist Vaccines for Specific Risks
Rabies: A fatal disease spread via animal bites or scratches. Pre-travel vaccination simplifies emergency treatment, which can be difficult to access remotely. A two- or three-dose course before departure is advised.
Other important vaccines protect against mosquito-borne diseases like yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis, cholera, and mpox. The mpox vaccine is recommended for sexually active gay and bisexual men, and for anyone planning to have sex with sex workers or travel to regions where the clade I virus circulates.
The relatively small cost of these vaccines is a wise investment compared to holiday expenses, offering peace of mind and protection against potentially trip-ruining or life-threatening illnesses. Many vaccines are available through GPs, travel clinics, and pharmacies.
