Don't Doubt Vaccinations Before Traveling

Traveling to a new region or country can be a pleasant experience. But, you must be careful with the risk of disease in these locations. One way you can protect yourself is to get a vaccination before traveling. Vaccination will make you more protected from certain diseases in the country or region to be addressed. In addition, you are also less at risk of bringing the disease home to your country or area of origin.

Determine the type of vaccine

Some diseases occur more in certain places than in other places. This is the reason some countries require people who will enter their countries to have an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). But take it easy, not all vaccines you must take before traveling. To determine what vaccine you need to take before traveling depends on:

• Your location will travel

Some countries provide conditions for visitors who will come to get a particular vaccine, such as polio or yellow fever. Therefore, you need to find out what vaccines might be needed in the country to be addressed.

• When will you travel?

Some diseases are more at risk in certain seasons, for example the rainy season.

• Types of activities that you will do

You will be more at risk of disease, for example if you work as a medical worker or visit places that are densely populated.

• The type of vaccine you have obtained

Having a record of what vaccines you have ever gotten will make it easier for you to know what types of vaccinations need to be done.

• Your health condition

You may need additional vaccines if you are sick or if your immune system is weak.

There are times when some people cannot get certain vaccines, for example if you are experiencing an immune system disorder, being chemotherapy, or undergoing a transplant. In addition, pregnant and nursing mothers also need special attention.

What Vaccines Are Required?

To get the right vaccine, the first step is to consult a doctor. The doctor will check your vaccine log, to find out what vaccines you have received and whether there is anything that needs to be updated. Below are some types of vaccines that you might need according to the country you are going to.

• Yellow fever (yellow fever)

This vaccination is needed especially if you are going to African countries.

• Meningitis

If you are going to go on Hajj or Umrah to Saudi Arabia, you must have received some type of meningitis vaccine.

• Hepatitis A and B

Even though you have become a mandatory immunization, it's a good idea to make sure you have been vaccinated against hepatitis A and B before traveling. Especially if going to a country with a high incidence of hepatitis A and B, such as Mexico.

• Typhoid

Typhoid vaccination needs to be done especially if you are going to travel to Central Asian countries, such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

It is important to get the vaccine 1-1.5 months before leaving, so that when you arrive at your destination, the vaccine is working to protect you. In addition, you will also have time to get a vaccine that needs to be given more than 1 dose. But unfortunately, there are also diseases that cannot be prevented by vaccination, such as malaria. To prevent contracting malaria, you need to take drugs a few weeks before traveling to areas where there are many cases of malaria. In Indonesia, NTT and Papua are areas that are still endemic to malaria. Even though it's protected with vaccines, you still need to maintain cleanliness by washing your hands before eating, and eating clean food and bottled water. If necessary, use anti-mosquito lotion, yes. With the right vaccination and always maintain cleanliness, you can travel comfortably and be protected from disease, and return home without carrying disease.