Preparation for Traveling: Don't Forget Vaccination
School holidays are a time for families to spend quality time together. Of course, many things are usually planned for the holidays, such as travel arrangements, transportation, accommodation, and outfits. But did you know the one thing you should do to keep everyone healthy and comfortable during the holidays?
To ensure that the vacation goes smoothly, it’s crucial to prioritize your health. Imagine how uncomfortable it would be to go on vacation with an unfit body. Apart from messing up holiday plans, it can also lead to an unpleasant experience, especially if the pain gets worse.
In such a situation, the purpose of going on vacation for fun can become a bad story.
Getting vaccinated is an important measure for staying healthy during your trip. Vaccination helps protect your health from a diseases variety that may be prevalent at your destination. The following are the types of vaccines you should get before traveling:
1. Yellow Fever
Planning a vacation to parts of Africa or South America? Don't forget to get vaccinated for yellow fever. The World Health Organization (WHO) mandates you to get vaccinated if you want to visit these areas.
After the vaccine, you will get an international certificate of vaccination (ICV) for yellow fever that is valid for life, although some countries may still apply the old 10-year rule.
The Yellow Fever vaccination protects you from yellow fever, which is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
The flavivirus infection causes symptoms such as fever, headaches, nosebleeds, nausea, vomiting blood, muscle aches, stomach pain, bloody stools, and yellowness all over the body.
In the most severe conditions, this disease can lead to death 7–10 days after symptoms appear.
2. Meningitis
If you are planning to travel to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah or Hajj, you are required to get a meningitis vaccination. This vaccine protects you from four types of bacteria that cause meningitis, which can lead to infections in the lining around the brain or spinal cord.
3. Japanese Encephalitis
If you are traveling to an endemic country such as India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, China, Vietnam, or other Asian countries, it is recommended that you get the Japanese encephalitis vaccine to protect yourself from encephalitis or inflammation of the brain.
4. Hepatitis A
You certainly enjoy trying the local cuisine. To avoid a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus, you should get the hepatitis A vaccination. Especially if food sanitation and hygiene in the destination area are poor because this virus is easily transmitted through contaminated food and beverages.
Hepatitis A vaccine should be administered at least two weeks before departure. This vaccine is usually given in two doses, 6–12 months apart, to provide up to 20 years of protection.
5. Hepatitis B
This vaccine is recommended for anyone who will be traveling to hepatitis B-endemic areas, working in health facilities, and having sexual or blood contact with people from Africa, South America, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.
6. Influenza
Influenza viruses spread very easily through the air. Especially when the weather is uncertain. In addition to taking vitamins to boost immunity, you should receive an influenza vaccination.
This vaccination can protect against influenza virus attacks, which could disrupt your vacation plans.
7. Typhoid fever
Typhoid fever is common in Asian countries, such as Indonesia, parts of Africa, and South America. This disease is caused by bacteria found in contaminated food or drink.
As a result, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends typhoid vaccination at least 1-2 weeks before traveling to a country where the disease is endemic.
Travel safely and calmly with the vaccine from the GWS Medika Clinic!
A fun and safe trip starts with thorough preparation. One important preparation that should not be missed is vaccination. Vaccination before traveling has many benefits, such as:
1. Protects from various infectious diseases
Vaccines help build the body's immunity against infectious diseases like measles, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, and typhoid. Maintaining your health during and after travel is critical, especially in areas with a high disease risk.
2. Maintain your health during and after travel
Vaccines help prevent you and your family from getting sick while traveling. This way, you can enjoy your trip without worrying about getting sick. Vaccines also help protect against serious complications from the disease.
3. Minimizes the risk of serious complications
Vaccination can help reduce the risk of serious complications caused by infectious diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, and encephalitis.
4. Provides peace of mind while on vacation
Travel with peace of mind because you and your family are protected from infectious variety diseases.
GWS Medika Clinic is here to help you get vaccinated before your trip. We provide various vaccines to match your vacation destination. Our expert doctors will help you choose the right vaccine and provide comprehensive information about its benefits and side effects.
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Everything prepared? Great! It's time for you and your family to go on vacation! Please remember to wear comfortable clothes to make your trip enjoyable. Don't forget to bring a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun. Prepare light medicines or medicines that you usually take just in case.
Enjoy your holidays! Spend time with family and make wonderful, unforgettable memories.
