Flourish Health & Wellbeing eMag - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 14
Timing can make all
the difference
One of the biggest
mistakes travellers
make is leaving
vaccinations until
the week before
departure. While lastminute advice is still
better than no advice,
early planning is ideal.
Some vaccines require
multiple doses. Others
need time to become
effective. Yellow
fever certi昀椀cates, for
example, become
valid 10 days after
vaccination. If you
discover too late that
a vaccine is required
for entry into a
country, it may disrupt
your travel plans.
Early planning is
particularly important
for families with
young children,
pregnant travellers,
older adults, people
with chronic health
conditions and people
with weakened
immune systems.
Some vaccines may
not be suitable
for certain people,
so a healthcare
professional needs
time to assess the
safest and most
appropriate approach.
Check your records before you go
Many Australians may already have received
some recommended vaccines through
childhood programs, school programs,
previous travel or annual vaccinations. The
Australian Immunisation Register records
vaccines given in Australia, including those
provided under the National Immunisation
Program and many privately administered
vaccines.
Before travelling, it is worth checking your
immunisation history through myGov,
Medicare or your healthcare provider. If you
are unsure whether you have had a vaccine,
do not guess. Ask a health professional.
This is especially important for adults who
may have missed vaccines in childhood,
people born overseas, people who do not
have clear vaccination records and those
travelling with children.
