In many countries, infectious diseases are more common than here at home. It is often possible to avoid infections through knowledge and vaccinations. The need for protection varies depending on where you will be travelling, how long you will be away, your condition of health and your previous vaccinations. Therefore, contact a vaccination clinic where they can tell you what vaccinations, malaria prophylaxis and health advice may be relevant to you, as well as what you should have in your travel pharmacy.

Not all vaccinations can be combined, and some need to be repeated after a certain amount of time. This means that your first visit to the clinic should perhaps take place as early as 6 -8 weeks before your departure.

Bring along your vaccination documents (the “Yellow Book”, health card etc.) to the first visit. Those administering the vaccine are also interested in whether you previously have had an adverse reaction to any vaccination, have had any allergies, chronic illnesses or regularly take any medication. Also tell them whether you are - or plan to become - pregnant!

In general we should not take children younger than 6 months old out into the world, and particularly not to warmer countries. Ideally, children should be at least 18 months old and have received all their vaccinations.