Travel vaccinations

Before travelling, the first visit to a medical centre should ideally be no later than 2 months prior to departure as some vaccines only become effective following a pre-longed course regime. Although the medical staff will keep records, ask for an International Travel Vaccination Record card to help you keep upto date with boosters. Protection against Hepatitis ‘A’ for example is only effective for a year whereas Diphtheria prevention can last for 10 ten times as long.

It’s important to remember that strains of Malaria (the world’s number one killer) vary from region to region and proper guidance is needed on which medication to take.
The female mosquito, Anopheles is the virus carrier and tends to come out after 16.00. Pack quality Mosquito nets and when there, keep windows closed, lights off and apply insect bite protection on top of sunscreen for best effect. If your plans include getting away from major cities it’s also worth considering taking sterile needles, syringes and rehydration tablets as many local rural medical practises have little in the way of resources and you as tourist would be depleting what little they did have. Any drugs or medical equipment not used should be of course donated to an appropriate health centre before returning home along with anything else you can spare such as clothing and footwear. Useful sources of official information concerning health issues include www.malariahotspots.co.uk, www.thehtd.org and www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk.

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