Travel Vaccinations - VoyageForum

Different Vaccinations

BCG, cholera, DTP, Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, meningitis A/C, rabies, MMR, typhoid.

The Usefulness of Vaccines

Vaccines are the primary means of preventing infectious and viral diseases. They also reduce the risk of epidemics. Even if you’re not traveling, some are mandatory. However, it’s important to follow the schedule for injections and boosters.

When it comes to travel, while many destinations don’t require any vaccines, that doesn’t mean there are no risks. In all cases, find out what’s necessary or recommended and avoid leaving it until the last minute if you need a booster.

Vaccinations

Only the diseases below have vaccines available. There is no vaccine for malaria, even though research has been ongoing for years.

BCG

This is the vaccine for tuberculosis. In France, it’s mandatory for children, and in principle, a single injection provides lifelong protection.

Cholera

While a new (oral) vaccine for cholera has existed since 2005, the medical community acknowledges that its effectiveness still needs improvement. Therefore, except for those traveling (usually for professional reasons) to areas where an epidemic is ongoing, vaccination is not necessary.

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio

A single vaccine, called DTP, covers these three diseases. Even non-traveling adults benefit from it (mandatory for children in France). For those traveling outside Europe, it’s always a good idea to be up to date. Note that a variant of this vaccine also protects against whooping cough.

Schedule: three injections at one-month intervals, first booster after one year, then every 5 years until age 20, and every 10 years thereafter.

Japanese Encephalitis

A vaccine exists for this disease, which occurs in certain rural areas of Asia during the rainy season. Unless you plan to stay for several weeks in these rural areas during the monsoon, vaccination is not necessary.

Schedule: two injections 28 days apart, then a booster between 1 and 3 years.

Yellow Fever

Since the disease is often fatal, vaccination is mandatory for travel to various African countries and highly recommended for tropical regions of South America. Some countries may even require proof of vaccination (international vaccination certificate) upon arrival.

Schedule: one injection, then a booster every 10 years. Note that in France, yellow fever vaccination is only available at approved centers.

Hepatitis A

A highly reliable vaccine exists for hepatitis A (or jaundice). It’s recommended for travelers due to the widespread presence of the disease outside Europe and North America.

Schedule: one injection followed by another 6 to 12 months later. The vaccine is valid for 10 years and requires a booster thereafter.

Hepatitis B

A relatively recent vaccine exists for this widespread disease, which causes about one million deaths annually outside industrialized countries. It’s strongly recommended for anyone (especially younger travelers) visiting sub-Saharan Africa, China, Central and Southeast Asia, or the Amazon basin. Generally, a preliminary antibody test can be done to check if a person has developed natural lifelong immunity (in which case vaccination is unnecessary).

Schedule: one injection followed by another one month later, a booster between 6 months and 1 year, then every 5 years thereafter.

Meningitis A/C

Vaccination is primarily recommended for children and young adults traveling to high-risk areas, particularly in Africa.

Schedule: one injection, then boosters every 4 years.

Rabies

A vaccine exists for rabies. However, very few people actually need it. Only those in regular contact with animals or traveling to very remote areas where rabies is present should consider vaccination.

Schedule: three injections spaced at Day 0, Day 7, and Day 28, a booster one year later, then every 5 years thereafter.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella

A single vaccine, called MMR, covers these three diseases. It’s primarily recommended for children.

Typhoid

A vaccine exists for this disease, which causes significant harm in developing countries. It’s recommended for any traveler visiting tropical regions.