Vaccines protect travelers from serious diseases. Depending on where you travel, you may come into contact with diseases such as yellow fever, malaria, and typhoid that are rare in first-world countries like Europe and America. Some vaccines may also be required for you to travel to certain places.

Getting vaccinated will help keep you safe and healthy while you’re traveling. It will also help make sure that you don’t bring any serious diseases home to your family, friends, and community.

On this page, you’ll find answers to common questions about vaccines for travelers.

Which Vaccines Do I Need Before Traveling?

The vaccines you need to get before traveling will depend on a few things, including:

• Where you plan to travel. Some countries require proof of vaccination for certain diseases, like yellow fever or polio. And traveling to developing countries and rural areas may bring you into contact with more diseases, which means you might need more vaccines before you visit. If you are visiting countries like Africa, India, or parts of Southeast Asia you may be required to have certain vaccinations such as Yellow Fever. There are many places that don’t require vaccines prior to entering and traveling in the country such as Europe and the United States. In regard to diseases such as Hepatitis, Yellow Fever, and Typhoid – you can have unvaccinated travel to the above–mentioned countries.                    

• Your health. If you’re pregnant or have an ongoing illness or weakened immune system, you may need additional vaccines.
• The vaccinations you’ve already had. It’s important to be up to date on your routine vaccinations. While diseases like measles are rare in most Western countries, they are more common in other countries.

Getting Vaccinated

Visit your local travel clinic or your primary doctor to determine which, if any, vaccinations or medications you will need for your travels. It’s important to get vaccinated at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel. This will give the vaccines time to start working, so you’re protected while you’re traveling. It will also usually make sure there’s enough time for you to get vaccines that require more than 1 dose.

Travel Health Clinic Kingston, Travel vaccinations Epsom

To meet with a travel healthcare specialist prior to your trip, contact Miles Pharmacy at their Travel Health Clinic in Kingston or plan to get your travel vaccinations at the Epsom travel clinic location.