Other Vaccinations

There are a number of vaccinations that you may be recommended depending on where you are going and what you intend to do – make sure you seek advice from a GP, practice nurse or travel clinic six to eight weeks before travel

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is a viral disease which is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. It occurs in the Yellow Fever Zone, which includes countries in tropical Africa and South America. Yellow fever infection is very dangerous, causing death in more than 50% of patients.6 For some countries in Africa and South America, a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is mandatory for entry into the country, while other countries demand a certificate if the traveller is arriving from a country where yellow fever is common.

Meningococcal Meningitis

Meningococcal meningitis is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria meningitidis and is most prevalent in the sub-Saharan countries of Africa during the dry season, Nepal, Bhutan and Saudi Arabia. For the last few years, all pilgrims travelling to the Hajj and Umrah in Mecca have been asked to provide a vaccination certificate.

Rabies

Most travellers are unaware of the risk of rabies while they are abroad. The disease is transmitted in the saliva of infected animals, usually through a bite - although licking alone can transmit rabies if there are skin abrasions. With the exception of one known case, rabies is invariably fatal if left untreated. The World Health Organisation estimates that there are between 35,000 and 50,000 deaths globally every year, with the largest number reported in India (30,000)

Japanese Encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis is a viral disease transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. It occurs in South East Asia and the Far East where it is endemic in rural areas. Highest transmission rates occur when mosquitoes are most active - during and just after wet seasons - though seasonal patterns vary within individual countries and from year to year. Immunisation is recommended for travellers staying for a month or longer in endemic areas, especially if travel involves rural areas.

Tick Borne Encephalitis

This viral disease is spread by ticks which live in the forest areas of Northern and Central Europe and Scandinavia.