RECOMMENDED VACCINES WHEN YOU TRAVEL TO AUSTRALASIA & PACIFIC REGION
Recommended Vaccines When You Travel to Australasia & Pacific Region
1) Hepatitis A (except Australia and New Zealand)
Risk increases with duration of travel and is highest for those who live in or visit rural settings, trek in back-country areas, or frequently eat or drink in areas with poor sanitation.
2) Typhoid Fever
Risk is higher where environmental sanitation and personal hygiene may be poor. The adventurous eater venturing “off the beaten track” should also consider vaccination.
3) Japanese Encephalitis (Torres Strait, far Northern Australia and Papau New Guinea only)
Risk for short-term travellers and for those staying in urban centres is very low. Risk increases with prolonged visits to rural settings, and outdoor, evening and night-time activities (eg cycling, camping, working outdoors, sleeping in unscreened structures).
4) Rabies
Should be considered in most parts of the world if exposure to animals is expected. Travellers spending time outdoors, especially rural areas, and who are involved in outdoor activities (eg cycling, camping, hiking outdoor work, caving) are at particular risk. Children are also considered higher risk because they tend to play with animals and may not report bites.
Note: This is a guide only. Advice by your healthcare professional will vary depending on destination, duration of travel, types of accommodation and what types of activities you take part in.
References:
1. Marshall GM. The Vaccine Handbook: A practical guide for clinicians, 4th edition. 2012.
2. Travel Clinics of America. Destinations
3. World Health Organization. International Travel and Health 2014.
4. Kita Y, et al. Replacement of oral polio vaccine with inactivated polio vaccine and inclusion of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine in the national childhood immunization schedule. Epidemiological News Bulletin 2013; 39(2): 27-33
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