What Vaccinations Should You Get?
Depending on where you’re going, vaccinations can be a very important part of your travel plans. At the same time, I want to caution you from getting every single vaccination that everyone says you should get. I’m not a doctor so I can’t tell you what to get and what not to get. However, in all my years of travel, I’ve noticed that the most popular vaccinations that many travellers get are:
- Hepatitis A and B
- Tetanus
- Typhoid
- Yellow Fever
When it comes to malaria, there are no vaccinations but there are pills that help fight the disease should you contract it. I have travelled to many malaria-infested countries but have always opted to not take the pills. This is because I am usually traveling for many months and malaria pills are very hard on the liver if taken long-term. Taking them will depend on where you are going, how serious the situation is in the country you’re visiting and how long you’re going for. It is best to do your research, speak to a doctor and make an educated decision. The best prevention of malaria is not getting bitten by mosquitoes, which means covering up your skin and wearing bug spray that contains DEET.
Before deciding what vaccinations you may need, it helps to do some research on the country and area you are planning to visit. It also depends on what vaccinations you had growing up.