Travel Health: Vaccines and Malaria Tablets

Some travel vaccines need to be given weeks before you leave, so health planning should start as soon as you book. A short appointment can prevent illnesses that ruin trips or worse.

Imagine booking a dream safari, then realising a week before departure that you need a yellow fever certificate to enter the country. The clinic can fit you in, but you only just make it. Next time you book your travel health appointment the same week as your flights.

When to plan

Ideally see a travel clinic, doctor or pharmacist six to eight weeks before you travel. Some vaccines need several doses, and some need time to work. Even last-minute travellers should still get advice; some protection is better than none.

Vaccines you might need

• Routine: make sure MMR, tetanus, diphtheria and polio are up to date
• Common travel vaccines: hepatitis A, typhoid, hepatitis B
• Depending on destination: yellow fever (required for entry to some countries), rabies, Japanese encephalitis, meningococcal (required for Hajj and Umrah), cholera, dengue in some cases

Your needs depend on where you’re going, how long, what you’ll be doing and your health history.

But do I really need malaria tablets?

If you’re travelling to an area with malaria risk, yes. Malaria can kill within days. There’s no widely available travel vaccine, so tablets plus bite prevention are your protection. Different tablets suit different destinations and people; some start days before travel and continue for up to four weeks after. Take the full course. Even people who grew up in malaria areas lose immunity after living abroad.

Avoiding bites and bugs

• Use insect repellent with DEET, picaridin or similar
• Cover up, especially at dusk and dawn, and sleep under a treated net
• Wash hands, drink safe water and eat food that’s freshly cooked and hot

Any fever during or up to a year after travel to a malaria area needs urgent medical review. Say where you’ve been.

Sources: World Health Organization (International travel and health), US CDC Travelers’ Health, UK National Travel Health Network and Centre (TravelHealthPro), Fit for Travel.