Jamaica Airfare - Travel Planning and Immunization

Be aware that there is often a greater risk of disease with children and in pregnancy. But the further off the beaten track you go the more necessary it is to take precautions, for some countries no immunizations are necessary.

It is recommended you seek medical advice at least six weeks prior to travel. And some vaccinations should not be given together, leave plenty of time to get your vaccinations before you set off: some of them require an initial shot followed by a booster.

Which is available from your physician or government health department, record all vaccinations on a International Health Certificate.

Vaccinations which may be required include: discuss your requirements with your doctor,

Cholera:

You might be able to get a certificate without having the injection from a doctor or health centre sympathetic to the vagaries of travel in Africa. Even though all countries and the WHO have dropped a cholera immunisation as a health requirement, very occasionally travelers are asked by immigration officials to present a certificate. In some situations it may be wise to have the cholera vaccine eg for the trans-Africa traveler, despite its poor protection.

Hepatitis A:

It only protects for two to six months, depending on the dose, it should be given close to departure because. Gamma globulin is not a vaccination but is ready-made antibody collected from blood donations. Havrix is a vaccination which provides long term immunity (possibly more than 10 years) after an initial injection and a booster at six to 12 months. The most common travel-acquired illness after diarrhea which can put you out of action for weeks.

Hepatitis B:

The quickest course being over three weeks with a booster at 12 months, it involves three injections. Where blood transfusions may not be adequately screened or where sexual contact is a possibility, travelers who should consider a hepatitis B vaccination include those visiting countries where there are known to be many carriers. This disease is spread by blood or by sexual activity.

Japanese B Encephalitis:

The vaccine is expensive and has been associated with serious allergic reactions so the decision to have it should be balanced against the risk of contracting the illness. It involves three injections over 30 days. Making repeated trips to a risk area or visiting during an epidemic, consider the vaccination if spending a month or longer in a high risk area. It occurs in Asia. This mosquito-borne disease is not of great risk to travelers.

The vaccine is not recommended for children under two years because they do not develop satisfactory immunity from it. A single injection will give good protection for three years. It is also required of all Haj pilgrims entering Saudi Arabia. Africa and South America, india, there are many carriers and vaccination is recommended for travelers to certain parts of Asia. It is transmitted like a cold and you can die from it within a few hours; meningococcal Meningitis - Healthy people carry this disease.

Polio:

A booster every 10 years maintains immunity. Everyone should keep up to date with this vaccination. Still prevalent in many developing countries, easily transmitted disease, polio is a serious.

Rabies:

Those not vaccinated require more, if someone who has been vaccinated is bitten or scratched by an animal they will require two booster injections of vaccine. Pre-travel rabies vaccination involves having three injections over 21 to 28 days. Or for children (who may not report a bite), traveling to remote areas, caving, handling animals, especially if they are cycling, vaccination should be considered by those who will spend a month or longer in a country where rabies is common.

Tetanus and Diphtheria:

Boosters are necessary every 10 years, after an initial course of three injections. Tetanus can be a fatal wound infection and diphtheria can be a fatal throat infection Everyone should have these vaccinations.

Tuberculosis:

A vaccination is recommended for children living in these areas for three months or more. A skin test before and after travel to determine whether exposure has occurred may be considered, as most healthy adults do not develop symptoms. There may be some risk, africa and some parts of the Americas and Pacific, for those who will be living with or closely associated with local people in high risk areas such as Asia. TB risk to travelers is usually very low.

Typhoid:

Available either as an injection or oral capsules. This is an important vaccination to have where hygiene is a problem.

Yellow Fever:

Note that people allergic to eggs may not be able to have this vaccine; vaccination poses some risk during pregnancy but if you must travel to a high-risk area it is advisable. You usually have to go to a special yellow fever vaccination centre. Eg Africa and South America, protection lasts 10 years and is recommended where the disease is endemic. Usually only enforced when coming from an infected area, yellow fever is now the only vaccine which is a legal requirement for entry into many countries.

Before you travel discuss immunizatio with your doctor.

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