What vaccines do I need for traveling?
Ensure that you have had all of your recommended vaccinations. While many diseases that can be prevented through routine immunization are not common in Canada, they are in other nations.
Your healthcare practitioner can offer more focused advice and recommendations if you talk to them about your schedule and planned activities as well as any health issues.
At least a month before your trip, schedule a consultation with your doctor or a travel health expert. They can assist you in locating vaccinations, medications, and information unique to your visit.
Hence, there are vaccinations that are required for you to get before traveling, especially the COVID-19 vaccines. Although, even if you are unvaccinated then there are some countries that do not impose the vaccination requirements strictly when you arrive.
If you are planning to travel to the Asian region then get a jab of the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine, since the infection does affect the brain and can be a risk for you if you were to contract it while traveling.
Another vaccine that you can get is the yellow fever vaccine and this is if you are planning to travel to the African region or South America. It is also required for people aged 9 months or older to get this vaccine. You can read more about these vaccines below.
To get more information about the vaccines you are required to get when traveling, you can contact us at Pharmadic Pharmacy. Below are some details about some of the vaccines people are required to get when traveling overseas:
COVID- 19 Vaccine
The COVID-19 vaccine is now practically a requirement for travel. You should receive at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccination approved for travel or a combination of two approved vaccines.
There are single and two-dose vaccines that are acceptable. The single-dose vaccine is the Janssen (J&J) vaccine and the two-dose vaccines are Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Covishield, Sinopharm, and a few more.
While the majority of travelers do reserve the right to forego the COVID vaccinations, the reality is that doing so will gradually limit the benefits and choices that come with being fully immunized.
If you or anyone you know has contracted COVID and requires a PCR test or Rapid Antigen test, then Pharmedic pharmacy provides these services for people as well. You can book an appointment at our website.
Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine
The chance of getting the disease is relatively low for most visitors to areas where Japanese Encephalitis is widespread. However, some passengers will be more susceptible to infection due to longer distances traveled during the Japanese Encephalitis virus transmission season; time spent in rural regions, involvement in numerous outdoor activities, and lodgings without air conditioning; screens, or bed nets.
The only legal and accessible JE vaccine in the United States is made from inactivated Vero cell culture and is referred to as IXIARO, it has also been made available in Canada and other countries. This vaccine was authorized in March 2009 for those 17 years of age and older, and in May 2013 for those who were 2 months old through 16 years old.
Yellow Fever Vaccine
A weaker version of the yellow fever virus is present in the vaccine. Live vaccinations prevent the spread of the disease to healthy individuals.
The vaccine should not be used on those whose immune systems have been compromised for any reason such as drug use or an underlying sickness.
After just one dosage, most patients receive lifetime protection from the yellow fever vaccine. The vaccine would not be advised under the following circumstances:
- If you are pregnant
- Have a weakened immune system
- If the age is younger than two years old
You must visit a vaccination facility certified to administer yellow fever vaccinations if the yellow fever vaccine is advised or required for your trip. Additionally, many yellow fever vaccination facilities offer additional pre-travel medical treatments.
All in all, it depends on the destination you are planning to visit. A number of nations permit travelers who have not received vaccinations to cross their borders.
However, just because you were allowed to enter a country without a vaccination does not mean you can travel freely once you get there. Depending on the type of unvaccinated traveler you are, you might not be allowed entry to restaurants, shopping centers, concert halls, theme parks, and other attractions in any country.