Should you vaccinate before your vacation?

If you’re planning on taking a vacation, getting the right vaccinations before you go can help ensure that great memories are the only things you bring back.

There are several factors that determine whether or not you need to be vaccinated before you travel, such as the country you are traveling to, if there are a variety of health risks in that country, your age, the activities you plan on doing during your trip, and if you have a pre-existing health condition that might make you more susceptible to infection.

Start with a visit to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on vaccines or medicines you might need before your trip. You should also check the Public Health Agency of Canada for any travel advisories or warnings, as well as current information on what you need to know about travel vaccines.

You should try to go to your doctor at least four to six weeks before you travel so that any vaccines you may need have time to take effect and you have plenty of time to get booster shots if needed. This will also give your doctor time to review your immunization history and make sure you're up-to-date on the provincial or territorial immunization program. If you're travelling to a country that has greater health risks, or if you have a pre-existing health condition, you may need to see a doctor who specializes in travel medicine.

The following are just some of the diseases that your health care provider may recommend that you get vaccinated against before you travel: chicken pox (varicella), cholera, German measles (rubella), hepatitis A and B, measles, meningococcal disease, mumps, polio, tick-borne encephalitis, typhoid fever, whooping cough (pertussis) and yellow fever.

• It’s always best to consult with an embassy or consulate of your destination country in Canada for up-to-date information on entry and exit requirements before travelling abroad.
• Some countries require proof that you've received a yellow fever vaccination, documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis before allowing you to enter the country. Without such proof, you may be refused entry, quarantined or vaccinated. Keep a copy of this certificate at home.
• Keep your family’s immunization records in a safe and accessible place and carry copies when you travel.

Taking the right precautions before you travel and getting immunized against vaccine-preventable illnesses can help you relax and have a safe trip.