If you plan on traveling out of the country, you need to ensure that your vaccinations are up to date. Depending on where you plan on going, you may even consider getting some vaccinations that you have never received before. But how exactly do you know which vaccinations are required, how far you should plan in advance, and how can you inform your doctor that you need vaccinations for your trip? Read on for everything you need to know about vaccinations and health requirements for travel.
How Can I Find Vaccination Requirements For a Specific Country?
It’s imperative that you are aware of any vaccine recommendations or requirements for the country you plan on visiting. If you want to find out more about the vaccination requirements for a specific country, you can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Here, you’ll be able to see what vaccinations you may need, along with other health and safety tips that may be useful to you while out of the country.
When Should I Get Vaccinated For a Trip?
If you plan on going out of the country and need to receive one or more vaccinations, you’ll need to plan ahead. This is because it can take time for your body to get immunity from the vaccines, and you may also need to receive more than one dose of the vaccine. So, if you know that you’ll be traveling internationally, check ahead of time what vaccines are required for your destination country, and start making a plan to get vaccinated.
How Can I Inform My Doctor That I Need to Get Vaccinated For a Trip?
It’s essential to inform your doctor that you’ll need to get vaccinated for your upcoming trip at least one month before your departure date. Further, we suggest that you make an appointment to get vaccinated so that you have enough time to receive your vaccinations. To inform your doctor of your need to get vaccinated, call your doctor’s office and ask to make an appointment to get vaccinated for your international travels.
What Are Some Common Vaccinations People Recieve For International Travel?
When traveling anywhere out of the country, it’s highly recommended that you are up to date with all routine vaccinations. For example, some routine vaccinations could include influenza, polio, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, shingles, and tetanus, amongst others. There are also other vaccinations that you may need to receive depending on the country you’re traveling to. For example, some other vaccinations people may receive include yellow fever, typhoid, malaria, and rabies.
What Happens if I Don’t Get Required Vaccinations?
Some international destinations recommend that you get vaccinated, while others require that you receive certain vaccinations to enter. If you plan on traveling somewhere where specific vaccinations are required but choose not to receive these vaccines, you will most likely be denied entry to that country. So it’s important to decide whether or not you want to get vaccinated, knowing that you may not be able to travel without them.
How Can I Stay Healthy While Out of the Country?
It’s very important that you stay healthy while traveling internationally. Some tips that you can follow to try and stay healthy while out of the country include:
- Make sure that you get all of the required vaccines before leaving.
- Only drink bottled water if you aren’t sure of the tap water quality.
- Wash your hands frequently, especially before you eat any food.
- Wear a mask in overcrowded public areas when needed.
- Disinfect any frequently used items, including your mobile phone.
- Stay hydrated, especially during a long flight.
- Reapply sunscreen throughout the day when visiting sunny destinations.
- Consider purchasing travel insurance to protect yourself in case anything goes wrong.
What Else Do I Need For My International Trip?
Besides receiving any necessary vaccinations for your trip, there are some other things that you may need to obtain ahead of time. For example, you will need to get a passport, and depending on where you’re going, you may also need to obtain a visa or e-visa. Fortunately, our team at Swift Passport and Visa Services can help you quickly and easily obtain travel documents for your trip. All you need to do is visit our website, fill out your application, and submit the required documents. Once your application is processed, you will receive your travel documents in time for your trip. No matter where you’re going, we’ll get you there!
