Immunisation is the process by which a person attains immunity or resistance against infectious diseases through vaccines. A vaccine is a suspension of dead or weakened disease-producing cells (antigen). Vaccination is the process of administering the vaccine into your body. These inactivated cells stimulate your body’s immune system. Once vaccinated, your immune system remembers that particular antigen and can combat it again later in your life.
Immunisations are important for children as well as grownups, but the prevalence and complications from vaccine-preventable diseases remain fairly large in adults. Several national agencies have formulated detailed guidelines for comprehensive immunisation in adults. Some of the recommended adult vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap), influenza, pneumococcal, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, varicella and zoster, and human papilloma virus vaccines.
Travellers are at a greater risk for contracting infectious diseases. Vaccinations must be personalised with respect to the traveller’s vaccination history, the country to be visited, the type and duration of travel, and the time left for departure. A travel medicine clinic has to be consulted at least 2 to 3 months in advance to allow adequate time to optimise the immunisation schedules. Some of the recommended vaccinations for travellers include typhoid, rabies, meningococcal disease, Japanese encephalitis, influenza, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, cholera, Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG), yellow fever, tetanus and diphtheria, poliomyelitis, pertussis, and measles-mumps-rubella.
Immunocompromised and pregnant people are, in general, are not recommended for live vaccines such as oral typhoid, yellow fever, MMR, varicella, and BCG. Your doctor will be the best person to address your concerns and make further recommendations.
Travelling can be safe and enjoyable if you take time to plan ahead. You should make an appointment and discuss your travel plans with our doctors. At your appointment, we will provide you information about appropriate vaccinations, preventive medications, and counselling to reduce your risk of illness. We will also provide general information for your travel, which includes preventive medications and resources in case of emergency. Travel consultation also assists in workplace wellness, preventive, and executive healthcare programs to reduce healthcare costs.
You may schedule an appointment with one of our staff in advance, before your travel. The travel consult can be delivered over the telephone, if you have already discussed your travel plan with your health care provider. Insurance coverage varies widely and we recommend that you clarify this with your insurance provider.
We provide a comprehensive travel medical consultation to educate patients regarding the health risks and precautionary care to be taken at their travel destination. Make us a part of your pre-trip planning to ensure a safe and pleasurable travel experience.