Travel Vaccinations

Vaccinations are injections which protect you from certain diseases. The vaccinations work by injecting you with a little bit of the disease; not enough to make you sick, but enough to trigger your immune system into fighting it and creating antibodies, which would fight off the disease should you ever contract the disease. Vaccinations can either cover one disease or multiple diseases, like in the case of MMR, which covers measles, mumps and rubella. It is important to get vaccinations at least two weeks prior to travel, so that they have time to begin working. However, last minute vaccinations are better than no vaccinations, so see a doctor at any point.

The Center for Disease Control classifies vaccinations into three main categories: routine vaccinations, recommended vaccinations and required vaccinations. All three of these categories also qualify as travel vaccinations.

Vaccinations in these three categories are typically available from any doctor. However, getting vaccinations from a travel doctor in New York is your best bet. A travel doctor in New York will provide a complete travel consultation prior to your departure and after your arrival home. A New York travel clinic will provide documentation of any vaccinations administrated by them, as well as give you tips for safe traveling. A travel doctor in New York is up to date on the latest health matters from all around the world. Visiting a New York travel clinic will make your trip much more enjoyable, fun and safe.

Routine Vaccinations

Routine vaccinations are vaccinations that need to be kept up to date because they guard against diseases that are still common in many parts of the world. An example of routine vaccinations would be a tetanus shot. It is advised to get a tetanus shot every 10 years, just in case. Routine vaccinations are important because they protect against slightly more common ailments.

Recommended Vaccinations

Recommended vaccinations work in the same way as routine vaccinations. However, there are certain ailments in other parts of the world that you may not have immunity to. Factors influence whether or not recommended vaccinations are necessary for you, like your age, destination, health status, and the season of your travel. Typically, you do not need documentation of receiving recommended vaccinations to enter a country; however, it is in your best interest to protect yourself against illnesses you could catch.

Required Vaccinations

Required vaccinations are just that: required. You cannot enter a country without having documentation of getting their governments required vaccinations. Currently, there are two required vaccinations: yellow fever, for going to certain sub-Saharan African and tropical South American countries, and Meningococcal Meningitis for travel for certain areas in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj.