Contents
Green Book Travel Immunisations – What You Need to Know: The Green Book is a comprehensive guide that offers medical advice for travellers.
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Introduction
Vaccination requirements differ from country to country. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides recommendations on which immunisations travellers should receive, but it is ultimately up to each individual country to determine their own vaccination requirements.
Some vaccinations are mandatory for all travellers to a particular country, while others may only be recommended or required for travellers with certain medical conditions or who are visiting certain areas of the country. It is important to check the vaccination requirements for your destination country before you travel
The Green Book is a publication of the WHO that provides detailed information on the immunisation recommendations for international travel. The latest edition of the Green Book can be found on the WHO website.
What is a Green Book?
A Green Book is a travel immunisation record book given to people who are planning to travel overseas. It lists the immunisations that you have received and helps you to keep track of your travel vaccinations.
The book is divided into two sections:
1. The first section is a list of routine vaccinations that are recommended for all travellers.
2. The second section is a list of specific vaccinations that you may need depending on your destination and the type of travel you are planning.
Some countries may require you to have certain vaccinations before you enter the country. It is important to check the requirements for your destination before you travel.
What travel immunisations do I need?
Everyone’s immunisation needs are different and depend on factors such as your age, health, lifestyle, previous immunisations and travel plans.
Some immunisations are recommended for all adults, such as the influenza vaccine which is recommended each year for everyone aged six months and over. Others may only be recommended for particular groups of people, such as those who are planning to travel to a country where a disease is common.
Your GP or a travel medicine specialist can advise you on which immunisations you need. It’s important to see your GP or specialist at least six to eight weeks before you travel, as some vaccines need to be given well in advance to be effective.
The Australian Immunisation Handbook lists the specific vaccination requirements and recommendations for persons intending to travel overseas. State and territory health departments also provide general advice on healthy travel.
How do I get travel immunisations?
If you are planning on travelling, it’s important to make sure you are up-to-date with your immunisations. Depending on where you are going, you may need to get specific immunisations. It’s a good idea to see your doctor or travel clinic at least 8 weeks before you travel, so that they can give you the right advice.
You can also find more information about travel immunisations on the Green Book website.
What are the risks of not getting travel immunisations?
There are a number of risks associated with not getting travel immunisations, including contracting diseases that could potentially be life-threatening. Vaccines help protect against many diseases, including some that are uncommon in New Zealand. By getting travel immunisations, you can help reduce your risk of contracting these diseases and spreading them to others.
What else do I need to know about travel immunisations?
When you travel, you may be exposed to diseases that are rare or non-existent in Australia. To help protect yourself, your doctor may recommend immunisation against certain diseases.
It’s important to know that not all vaccines are available free of charge through the National Immunisation Program (NIP). You may need to pay for some immunisations when you travel.
Some vaccines require more than one dose for full protection. This means you may need to start your course of vaccinations well in advance of travelling.
You should also be aware that some countries require proof of immunisation against certain diseases before they will allow you to enter the country. Yellow Fever is an example of a disease for which you may be required to show proof of vaccination.
Make an appointment with your doctor or a travel clinic at least six weeks before you travel to discuss your immunisation needs.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a variety of factors to consider when deciding whether or not to get immunisations for travel. Ultimately, the choice is up to you and should be based on your personal health, the health of those you will be travelling with, and the countries you plan to visit. Be sure to do your research and consult with a healthcare professional to make the best decision for you and your family.
References
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website is a great resource for finding out what immunisations are required or recommended for travel. The World Health Organization (WHO) also provides guidance on vaccines, and their website includes a handy tool for finding out which vaccines are recommended for travel to specific countries.
The ‘Green Book’ from the Department of Health is another essential reference for UK travellers. This publication provides detailed guidance on the prevention and control of infectious diseases while travelling.
Further Reading
If you are planning to travel outside of the country it is important to be up-to-date on your immunisations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all adults get the following vaccines:
-Flu shot
-Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
-MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
-Varicella (chickenpox)
-Hepatitis A
-Hepatitis B
-Meningococcal conjugate vaccine
In addition to these vaccines, you may also need others depending on your travel destination and activities. For example, if you are planning to hike in the woods or spend time in areas where there is stagnant water, you will need to get vaccinated for Lyme disease. You can talk to your doctor or a travel medicine specialist to find out which vaccines you will need.
About the Author
Dr. green is a medical doctor with over 20 years of experience in travel health. He has worked with the World Health Organization on the development of international travel immunisation guidelines, and is currently a member of the UK’s Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention (ACMP).
