Think being up-to-date on routine vaccinations means you’re a go for travel? If you’re visiting a foreign country, you may be in for a nasty surprise. Seasoned global event travel agencies know those traveling abroad can be exposed to illnesses rarely encountered in the U.S. Luckily, it is not difficult to get the protection you need with travel vaccinations.

Travel Vaccines Are Anything But Routine

The best corporate travel companies ensure travelers in-the-know. Seasoned agents are aware those going abroad need more than routine vaccinations, which protect you from common, serious diseases. Oftentimes travel vaccines for diseases that are uncommon in the U.S. are necessary to protect you from diseases rampant in other parts of the world.

Plan for Success

Most vaccinations need to be taken ahead of time to give you full protection against disease. Talk to your healthcare professional as soon as you are aware you’re traveling abroad, at least a month before international travel. Bring your current vaccine records to each appointment. Some vaccines require multiple doses for maximum effect, or a specific period of time to elapse before your body is able to build immunity. Those not up-to-date on routine vaccines, which are also necessary prior to travel, may require a number of vaccinations over a longer time period. To protect your health, if you know you’ll be traveling abroad schedule necessary appointments quickly. Your doctor may not stock some rare travel vaccines, and additional visits to a travel clinic may be necessary.

Determining Which Travel Vaccines You Need

Corporate travel planners know necessary travel vaccinations vary depending on where you are traveling to, the activities you plan to engage in while you are away, and the state of your health. Thus, the recommended vaccinations for two people traveling to the same country may be different. In addition to ensuring you are current on all routine vaccinations, you should research disease outbreaks specific to your continent of travel. You may need any one or more of the following common travel vaccines, in addition to some which may not be listed here:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid/Paratyphoid Fever
• Yellow Fever
• Malaria
• Meningococcal
• Rabies
• Japanese Encephalitis

Required Vs. Recommended Vaccines

CDC-required vaccines must be taken for travelers to enter a country. In many circumstances, this includes the yellow fever vaccine, a virus transmitted by mosquitoes affecting the liver and kidneys that is often fatal. Only registered providers can administer this vaccine, which MUST be taken at least 10-days before travel. However, there may also be vaccines required by the country to which you are traveling. These are designed to prevent visitors from bringing illnesses into the country. Based on outbreaks, these requirements are subject to change. Recommended vaccines are those vaccines recommended by the CDC to protect your health, but not required for travel. Typhoid is a commonly recommended vaccine, which is spread by contaminated food and water and causes serious illness.

Ensure safe travel. Get the business travel planning assistance you need with GTI Travel today.