What vaccines do I need?
Staying healthy abroad is not just about having a vaccination or taking a few tablets it's about fully appreciating the associated risks and avoiding them as far as possible, all of which we discuss at The Travel Clinic.
It is impossible to say what vaccines are needed, as it is not known what diseases you will encounter when away. So that is why a risk assessment is required. One needs to know how diseases are spread, before you think about immunising
Travel checklist The main risks for travellers fall into three categories:
1. Vaccine-preventable diseases
2. Insect-borne diseases
3. Gastrointestinal illnesses, such as diarrhoea, which is caused by contaminated food and water
This may be misleading, the major cause of preventable deaths in travellers is injuries.
In any case, preventive measures can reduce the possibility of all these problems -- from making sure one's vaccines are up-to-date to drinking only bottled water.
If business travellers are more at risk than the average traveller, it is because they are less likely to take the necessary precautions.
Traveller's health is mostly common sense - Bugs, Bites and Bowels as written in Dr Jane Wilson-Howarth memorable book who practices here at The Travel Clinic Ltd
http://www.travelclinic.ltd.uk/publications.aspx
While specific health risks may vary, recommended travel precautions include:
• Before the trip, assess the potential health risks for the country the person is visiting. These will vary depending on what parts of the country they will visit, the time of year, and the kind of accommodation they will stay in.
• Ensure that you bring previous records of vaccinations with you