Traveller vaccination overview

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Traveler Vaccination
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Overview
Cholera
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis
Haemophilus influenzae type b
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis E
Human papillomavirus
Influenza
Japanese encephalitis
Measles
Meningococcal Disease
Mumps
Pneumococcal disease
Poliomyelitis
Rabies
Rotavirus
Rubella
Tick-borne encephalitis
Tuberculosis
Typhoid fever
Varicella
Yellow fever

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D. [2]

Overview

Vaccination is a highly effective method of preventing certain infectious diseases. Vaccines are generally very safe and serious adverse reactions are uncommon. For travellers, vaccination offers the possibility of avoiding some infectious diseases that may be encountered abroad. However, satisfactory vaccines have not yet been developed against several of the most life-threatening conditions, including tuberculosis, malaria and HIV infection.

Planning before travel

Before departure, travellers should be advised about the risk of disease in the country or countries they plan to visit and the steps to be taken to prevent illness. There is no single vaccination schedule that fits all travellers. Each schedule must be individualized according to the traveller’s previous immunizations, health status and risk factors, the countries to be visited, the type and duration of travel, and the amount of time available before departure.

Travel-related vaccination

Category	Rationale for vaccination	Vaccine
Travel-related vaccines	These vaccines are recommended to provide protection against diseases endemic to the country of origin or of destination. They are intended to protect travellers and to prevent disease spread within and between countries.	Cholera Hepatitis A and/or E Japanese encephalitis Meningococcal Polio (adult booster dose) Typhoid fever Yellow fever Rabies Tick-borne encephalitis
Required vaccines	Some countries require proof of vaccination for travellers to enter the country.	Polio vaccine (OPV or IPV) Yellow fever vaccine for travellers going to and coming from countries or areas at risk of yellow fever Meningococcal vaccine (required by Saudi Arabia for pilgrims)
Routine vaccines	These vaccines are not specific to travellers, but the pre-travel consultation is a good opportunity for health care providers to review the immunization status of infants, children, adolescents and adults.	Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis Hepatitis B Haemophilus influenzae type b Human papillomavirus Influenza (seasonal) Measles, mumps and rubella Pneumococcal Polio Rotavirus Tuberculosis Varicella