Basic Vaccinations for Everyone

Everyone, regardless of whether one is travelling abroad or staying home, should have complete protection against polio, tetanus and diphtheria. Take the opportunity to combine these with protection against whopping cough as well.
Those who have not been vaccinated against or have not had measles should also consider being vaccinated against it. To a certain extent, this also applies to mumps and rubella.


Polio
is a viral disease that affects the nervous system and can result in paralysis.
The basic protection consists of three vaccinations. Protection is then improved with a fourth dose after about 5 years.
You may want to consider a further dose if travelling to certain tropical countries.
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Tetanus
is caused by a nerve poison from a bacterium that enters the body via wounds. Even seemingly negligible injuries can be risky. Vaccination provides a very good protection against the disease.
Most people born since the middle of the 1950s have received a basic protection that consists of three vaccinations, as well as a fourth dose given at the age of 10. Men who did military service prior to 1990 have maybe had a booster dose. Likewise, people who have received lacerations have received an extra vaccination.
Make sure that you have a basic protection that consists of three tetanus vaccinations. You should subsequently receive a fourth dose after about 10 years. Further doses can be given in approximately 20-year intervals.

Diphtheria
is a serious infectious disease that is caused by a poison from a bacterium. The disease is spread from person to person, and the infection most often settles in the throat.

As far back as the 1930s, vaccinations were given against diphtheria; however, far from everyone was vaccinated. Just like the tetanus­ vaccination, most people born since the middle of the 1950s received a basic protection which consisted of three vaccinations. A fourth dose was given at around the age of ten.

Many children during periods of the 1960s and 1970s received a less effective vaccine, which is why these young people had to get an extra diphtheria vaccination in the ninth grade.
Make sure that you have received basic protection that consists of three diphtheria vaccinations and a fourth dose about 10 years later. Further diphtheria vaccinations can be considered in approximately 20-year intervals.


"Triple” was a designation for a combined vaccine against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough.

“Dipple" or ”duplex” was in an corresponding manner a combined vaccine against tetanus and diphtheria.

 

Measles / Mumps / Rubella
are highly contagious airborne viruses. Nowadays, most children are routinely vaccinated at 18 months old and at the age of 6-8 under the auspices of the school health provider, but when travelling, one should consider get the vaccinations early (however, no sooner than at the age of 6 months).
Remember that if the child receives a vaccine before the age of 12 months, it should still receive the regular dose at the age of 18 months.

Adults who have not had measles should ensure that they are vaccinated with two doses. If you have only had one dose - supplement it with a second dose!

Supplemental Protection

Hepatitis A (Epidemic Jaundice)
is caused by a virus that is transmitted primarily via contaminated food and drink and leads to inflammation of the liver. The disease is common in tropical countries.

One injection with a hepatitis A vaccine provides very good protection for at least one year. If you repeat the injection after one year, you can count on a protection of at least 40 years against the disease.

Children up to pre-school age seldom become severely ill. On the other hand, they can transmit the infection onward, and for that reason one should still consider having them protected, especially children of nursery school age.

If you are pregnant it is especially important that you protect yourself against the disease when travelling to high-risk areas.

 

Hepatitis B
is caused by a virus that results in an inflammation of the liver. The illness can be transmitted sexually, but also in connection with tattooing, piercing, ear piercing, surgical and dental procedures, blood transfusions, insufficiently cleaned injection needles etc.

The vaccination should be considered by travellers who above all visit Asia, Africa or South America for a protracted period, and even short-term travellers who visit these continents on repeated occasions. Health care staff should also be vaccinated.

As a rule, a good level of protection is obtained after three injections given at any time over the course of 6 months. If time does not allow you to receive the two first doses well in advance of your departure, you can as an alternative receive three injections over a 2-3 week period. In this case, a fourth dose should be given after a year. This dose should be seen as an investment toward future travels.

Cholera
can result in severe diarrhoea and the disease is found in Asia and Africa, and in recent years in South America and Central America as well.

Before travelling to areas with a risk for cholera, you should vaccinate against the disease if you have any underlying disease, such as intestinal disease, diabetes, heart or kidney disease which means that you could become more seriously ill if you are infected. 
Similarly, the vaccination is recommended if you for any reason have low gastric acidity.
A shorter tourist journey (< 1 week) to high-risk areas can also be a reason for vaccination as diarrhoea can ruin a large part of a short trip. 
Travel to areas where cholera is present always involves a risk of infection and vaccination may then be considered.

Please note that the vaccination is taken as two doses with at least one week between them. The other dose should furthermore be allowed to “work” for another week for the best protection. In order words, one should begin with the vaccinations no later than two weeks prior to departure.

The protective effect against cholera is good and remains in adults for up to 2 years, but only for 6 months in children.

 

Typhoid
is a serious intestinal infection caused by a bacterium The disease is found primarily in Asia, Africa, South and Central America, and it is due to deficient food hygiene. The risk of an individual contracting typhoid is very small, which is why you do not need to be vaccinated prior to a brief tourist trip. However, if you plan to - regardless of time -  stay in environments with low hygienic standards or poorer food / water hygiene, vaccination can be considered.

There are two different vaccines: the kind that are swallowed and the kind that are injected. The protection lasts 1 - 3 years.

 

Japanese Encephalitis
is a serious viral disease that affects the brain. The illness occurs above all in parts of South-east Asia and on the Indian subcontinent.

The infection is transmitted to people via mosquitoes from pigs and certain birds. Therefore, as a rule, the risk is greater in rural areas, but it can also occur in the slum areas of some cities.

Vaccination may particularly be considered if you are going to spend a longer period of time in a risk area, but also for shorter stays if, for example, there is an ongoing outbreak or you are uncertain about the location or activity. Similarly, you can consider vaccination if you are going to live (temporarily or for a longer period) in a country where the disease is present or if you often travel to such countries. 

The vaccination consists of two injections that provide ample protection for the upcoming year. Mosquito repellent furthermore reduces the risk of infection.

 

Epidemic Meningitis
is a bacterial disease that can yield life-threatening infections in the blood and meninges.

Epidemics break out from time to time, especially in Africa. Long-term and close contact with the local population would justify vaccination, primarily of children and youth as they are more susceptible. The vaccination may also be considered if you will work with medical care in an area with a high risk of infection. Furthermore, when travelling to Saudi Arabia, vaccination is obligatory for pilgrims.
The disease is caused by several different serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis and therefor we currently use two different vaccines depending on where the stay will be.

Two injections offers certain amount of protection for at least 5 years.

 

Tick-borne Encephalitis (FSME / TBE)
is a viral disease that causes inflammation in the brain. The virus is found in the salivary glands of the tick and it is transferred immediately when the tick bites. Since the tick is active when the temperature exceeds approximately 7 degrees Celsius, there is a risk of getting the disease as early in the year as the spring. However, most cases of TBE are seen in the summer and autumn.

The infection is found in Sweden (in the south of the country), Norway (in the south of the country), in Åland, Finland (in the south of the country) as well as in Central Europe, the Baltic States and in Russia.

People who tend to attract ticks in these areas should be vaccinated. 

Basic protection comprises of three injections (for people up to the age of 50) and four injections (for people over the age of 50). These doses provide good protection for the first three years. Thereafter, an injection is given at 5 year intervals if the risk remains.

Tuberculosis
is, as a rule, an airborne infection caused by a bacterium.
The risk of tuberculosis is considerably greater when you are traveling to tropical countries. Children and youth without protection before a planned protracted stay in areas with a major risk of infections, above all in third world countries, should be vaccinated against the disease.

If you have previously been vaccinated, it is seldom necessary to be vaccinated again.

 

Rabies
is a serious viral disease that affects the brain. The disease is found in large parts of the world and is transmitted to humans most often through bites or scratches from rabies-infected animals. Dogs are by far the primary source of infection, but the infection can also be transmitted by cats, bats, monkeys, foxes etc.
The vaccine is given primarily to people who work with animals or who may come into close contact with these animals, and to people working within medical care, forestry etc.
Children have a tendency more or less to come voluntarily into contact with animals. The vaccination can therefore be considered for smaller children prior to a protracted stay in a high-risk area. The vaccination is furthermore justified if the medical care resources in the country are not easily accessible.

Complete coverage requires three injections over the course of a month. The vaccine in question has a good protective effect, but...

... you should still avoid unnecessary contact with animals!

Even if you have been vaccinated against rabies before your trip, you should still receive further vaccination as soon as possible if you suspect you have been infected.

 

Yellow Fever
is caused by a virus that results in an inflammation of the liver. The disease is transmitted through mosquito bites and is found in Central Africa and South America.

Vaccination against yellow fever is currently the only officially obligatory vaccination that some countries demand for you to be allowed entry into the country. Many countries also require the vaccination before entering the country if you stop over or come from other countries where the disease is present. These directives serve to protect each country and not so much to protect individual travellers. Moreover, the vaccination shall be taken at least 10 days prior to arrival in the country.

The formal validity varies; in some countries it is still only 10 years, but in many others it is now life-long. The protection of a vaccination lasts considerably longer than 10 years - probably up to 30 years.

People who for some reason cannot or should not take the vaccination can be provided with a certificate for an exemption. In such a case, contact your vaccination clinic!


Influenza
is a viral disease that spreads by drop or contact. The disease occurs in the northern hemisphere during the winter months, but has previously struck other parts of the world.
The influenza vaccination is recommended primarily to persons with some underlying illness or diminished immune system. These persons run a great risk of becoming severely sick. One might also consider the vaccination before a trip abroad, both in order to reduce the risk of being bedridden during the trip, and in order not to consume what are already heavily strained medical care resources in the country you are visiting.

 

Malaria
is transmitted by mosquitoes. The disease occurs in large parts of Africa, Asia and South America. However, the risk of contracting the most serious form of malaria is greatest in Africa. You can protect yourself from malaria by such measures as taking malaria tablets. The tablets are a prescription medicine and your doctor will go over with you how they are to be taken.

Since the disease is spread by mosquitoes, it is of course of the utmost importance that as a first resort you reduce the risk of mosquito bites. No mosquito bites, no malaria! Therefore, do not forget to buy mosquito repellent or mosquito spay, as well as perhaps an impregnated mosquito net before your departure.

Important insect-borne illnesses
Protection against mosquitoes and other insects
Malaria tablets