{"id":7169,"date":"2014-06-13T15:44:45","date_gmt":"2014-06-13T05:44:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mvec.vic.edu.au\/?page_id=275"},"modified":"2025-07-15T15:24:40","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T05:24:40","slug":"travel-medicine","status":"publish","type":"references","link":"https:\/\/mvec.mcri.edu.au\/vi\/references\/travel-medicine\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel and immunisation"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n

Background<\/h2>\n

International travel carries an increased likelihood of exposure to infections, illness or injury that a person may not otherwise be exposed to. This risk varies depending on factors like the country and area of travel, the season\/weather conditions, duration of travel and planned activities, as well as a person\u2019s individual circumstances (medical conditions, age, etc).<\/span><\/p>\n

Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) is one of the most common reasons for international travel. A VFR traveller is defined as a person who currently lives in a high-income country and travels to their lower-income country of birth to visit friends or relatives. VFR travellers have higher rates of some travel-related infections. It is important for VFR travellers to take appropriate precautions to ensure optimum protection.<\/p>\n

Whilst an individual may be considered up to date with their vaccines in Australia, the National Immunisation Program (NIP)<\/a> recommends vaccines for the Australian context only. When travelling overseas it is important to obtain vaccine recommendations from a healthcare professional trained in travel medicine to ensure optimal protection when in another country.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recommendations<\/h2>\n

A <\/span>consultation with a <\/span>health care professional <\/span>should be <\/span>undertaken<\/span> a minimum of 4<\/span> to <\/span>6 weeks<\/span> prior to <\/span>overseas<\/span> d<\/span>eparture<\/span>.<\/span> This <\/span>allows time to develop immunity following the administration of any vaccines prior to arrival at the travel destination. Depending on which vaccines are recommended, a course of vaccines over time may be <\/span>indicated<\/span> before a person is considered fully <\/span>protected.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It is particularly important for individuals who are immunocompromised<\/a> to seek travel advice early to maximise protection prior to travel. Similarly, people who are planning pregnancy or are pregnant<\/a> should seek advice early to ensure optimum protection for both the parent and unborn baby. Individuals planning pregnancy with a high likelihood of travel should consider vaccination prior to pregnancy, noting that live-attenuated vaccines<\/a> are contraindicated during pregnancy.<\/p>\n

Vaccines<\/h3>\n

Individuals travelling overseas should firstly ensure that they are up to date with the routine NIP. <\/span>Some NIP vaccines can be given earlier than scheduled, or as additional doses to ensure that an individual is optimally protected prior to travel. Early or additional doses of NIP doses may need to be privately purchased; check your local state or territory’s immunisation program to confirm funding eligibility.<\/span><\/p>\n

Protection against measles<\/a> is very important due to the increase in cases<\/a> occurring internationally and across Australia.<\/p>\n

Influenza<\/a> vaccination is also recommended for anyone travelling overseas (recommended annually for everyone aged over 6 months, funded for certain groups).<\/p>\n

Table 1. Minimum age range for NIP and routine vaccinations<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t

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