TRAVEL HEALTH CARE

For more inforamtion on each topic please click on the word:

Cholera Vaccine:

This is recommended for travellers going to developing countries in partiular to Africa ,Asia and Indian subcontinent. It is now available as an easy to take oral vaccine. In contrast to the old vaccine,it provides 90% protection against severe diarrhoea and has virtually no side effects.The vaccine lasts for about a year if two doses are given.

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Hepatitis A Vaccine:

Recommended for travellers to most countries. One injection work within 2 weeks and give protection for 12 months. A booster dose at 6-12 months will provide protection for at least 10 years. Side effects include pain and swelling at site of injection. Some people may experience headache, fatigue, fever or nausea.

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Hepatitis B Vaccine:

It is recommended for long term travellers in some countries. It consists of 3 injections at 0, 1 and 6 months. So considerable time need to be allowed before travel to finish the course. It will last for 5- 10 years. Side effects are mild including soreness at injection site and rarely fever, nausea, aches and pains. A combined Hepatitis A & B vaccines is also available.

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Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine:

The vaccine is recommended for travellers spending one month or more in rural areas or 6 months or more in urban areas of endemic countries. Three doses of vaccines are needed given on 0, 7 and 28 days. Side effects include wheeze, urticaria and erythema multiforme. Not recommended for pregnant women.

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Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccine:

This is recommended for travellers to rural areas of at risk countries. It is a single injection with immunity lasting for 3-5 years. Not recommended for pregnant women or children under 2. It is also required for pilgrims to holy places in Saudi Arabia.

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Rabies Vaccine:

This is recommended only for travellers living in highly endemic countries for a long period of time, or people engaging in high risk activities such as cave exploration. It involves 3 injections over 1 month. Local and systemic side effect are common with the vaccine.

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Tuberculosis Vaccine:

This is recommended only for children under the age of five who will be living in high prevalence area for a long period of time. It is also for health workers intending to work in high risk countries for a long period time. A skin test is needed before the vaccination. The vaccine, BCG can only be given by a licensed centre like Travel Health Care. Prolonged inflammatory changes are common at the injection site.

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Typhoid Fever Vaccine:

This is recommended for travellers to a lot of countries especially the tropics. Vaccines can be in the oral form, which will last 2 years. There is an injectable form which last for 3 years. Side effects included headache, nausea, vomiting and tiredness. Not recommended for pregnant women or children less than 2 years of age. Allow about 2 weeks for vaccines to work.

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Yellow Fever Vaccine:

This is required to travel in some countries in Africa and South America. A vaccination certificate is needed as a legal condition of entry. A certificate is also required by all persons over 1 year of age who have been in an endemic area within 6 days of arrival in Australia. It is a single injection ,working after 10 days and lasting for 10 years. Side effects include headaches aches or mild fever. Not recommended for pregnant travellers or infant under 6 months or people with egg allergy. The vaccines can only be given by licensed centre like Travel Health Care.

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