What vaccines to take before going on a trip abroad?

What vaccines to take before going on a trip abroad?

Travel VaccinesWhether you're going to relax in the tropics or on an adventure in the glaciers of Greenland, it is always essential to take care of your health. Vaccines taken before your trip can protect you against some common diseases that can be dangerous.

Why get vaccinated?

When you leave for an exotic destination or an unknown country, you immediately think of the wonder that awaits you when you discover beautiful landscapes, a new culture, extraordinary gastronomy or a warm and fascinating population. However, it should not be forgotten that the regions you are going to visit may be the focus of infectious diseases or even epidemics. Indeed, during your stay in a foreign land, you risk being bitten by insects, such as mosquitoes, drinking dirty water or swallowing poorly washed food.

Fortunately, vaccination protects you from a large number of infections and prevents you from falling ill, both during your stay and when you return to France. By not being contaminated, there is no risk of reporting a disease on French soil.

Be up to date with universal vaccines

Universal vaccines are the basic vaccines that are strongly recommended or outright mandatory, regardless of your destination.

The first of these vaccines is the DTP, a combined vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis, with boosters at 25, then 45 and finally 65 years. Beyond this age, a booster is recommended every 10 years.

The tuberculosis vaccine (BCG) also falls into this category, whether you plan to go to Thailand, Australia or somewhere in tropical Africa. Even if it is no longer compulsory in France, staying for a long time in a country at risk exposes children under 15 and young adults to this disease which kills around 2 million people a year worldwide. This vaccine provides protection for 10 to 15 years to vaccinated persons.

Finally, the MMR, a combined vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella can be administered from the age of 12 months. However, if you have to leave with a younger baby, epidemic outbreaks in Europe and around the world call for caution and allow you to have him vaccinated even if he is 6 months old. The booster is usually done during the second year of the child, between the 13th and 24th month.

You will find here a PDF of the INPES a simple vaccination calendar and which summarizes the vaccines to be done according to your age.

Specific vaccines

Unlike so-called universal vaccines, specific vaccines are administered to travelers leaving for a specific destination. This is mainly the vaccine against:

yellow fever: this vaccine is recommended for travelers to intertropical regions of Africa and South America such as Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Panama, Guyana, Peru or Brazil. It can be administered from the age of 6 months and offers protection for at least 10 years. There must be a minimum of 10 days between the first vaccination and departure
malaria: even if there is no specific vaccine against this disease which is rampant in the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and South America, it is recommended to consult a doctor before your departure for these destinations because it can prescribe preventive treatment and advise you on mosquito repellents to take home
rabies: for people who are going to stay in an isolated geographical area of ​​Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, North or South America. You have to do 3 injections: the first, 28 days before your departure (D-28), the second 7 days (D-7) and the third the same day or the day before (D-0). In the event of a bite from a suspicious animal, you will need to receive 2 injections spaced 3 days apart. Otherwise, the recall is done after 1 year and then every 5 years. This vaccine is administered as soon as the child is old enough to walk.

 

 Japanese encephalitis: recommended for those who stay in the heavy rainy season or who move to Southeast Asia, South Asia, northern Australia, China, Japan, India and Papua New Guinea. The vaccine can be administered from the age of 1 year with a booster every 2 years. The injection must be done no later than 10 days before departure
hepatitis A: this vaccine is intended for travelers to Central and South America, Asia, Oceania and Africa. The injection can be done just before departure, it offers protection for 10 years and is administered from the age of 1 year
Hepatitis B: vaccine recommended for those who make a long and frequent stay in high-risk countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and also North and South America. There is no minimum age to benefit from the 2 injections which are carried out 1 month apart. The recall occurs 6 months later, providing protection for 5 years
invasive meningococcal infections: this concerns people who travel to the Sahelian zone in Africa and those who make a pilgrimage to Mecca where it is compulsory. It can be administered from the age of 2 years, ideally a few weeks before departure because its incubation time is 10 days. It protects against the disease for a period of 3 years
tick-borne encephalitis: vaccine intended for individuals living in forest or rural areas of northern China, northern central Asia, northern Japan, northern, central and eastern Europe. It is carried out in 3 injections which must be spread out before departure: the first, 3 months before (D-90), the second 1 month before (D-30) and the last in the days preceding departure. The booster is done between the 5th and 12th month after the first injection.
seasonal flu: this vaccine is particularly recommended for travelers at risk such as the elderly or those who suffer from chronic illnesses and who travel during the flu season. It is administered at least 15 days before departure with a single injection except for children under 9 who have never been vaccinated against the flu, they must receive a second injection one month after the first.
If you are not sure which vaccine(s) corresponds to your destination, you can use this interactive map created by the Institut Pasteur and which lists its recommendations for each country.

How much does it cost ?

If you don't take all your first aid kit with you on your trip, vaccination is a good alternative to staying healthy. But what about the price?

If the vaccine against yellow fever and tick-borne encephalitis (for adults or for children) costs around 55 euros, you will have to pay 97 euros for the one against Japanese encephalitis.

A vaccine against the flu costs 11 euros while that against hepatitis costs 43 euros for A, 26 euros for B. It is however possible to be injected with the vaccine against hepatitis A+B for 50 euros for a child dose and 51 euros for an adult dose.

Protecting yourself against rabies will cost you 42 euros while protection against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) will cost you 29 euros. Finally, the combined vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis (DTP) is around 20 to 39 euros.

Where to get vaccinated?

Everywhere in France ! Indeed, there are a hundred centers where you can get vaccinated to prepare for your departure abroad. In Paris, you can contact the Institut Pasteur which is located at 209, rue de Vaugirard, 75015 Paris or the Air France international vaccination center, located at 148, rue de l'Université, 75007 Paris. If you live in the provinces, click here to find the center closest to your home. Your attending physician is also able to perform certain vaccines, in particular the "universal" ones.

The vaccination certificate

When you land in certain African countries such as Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Rwanda or Angola, the authorities may require the presentation of a vaccination certificate. In all, 20 African countries condition entry on their soil to the production of this document. This is given to you when you get vaccinated against yellow fever, which is the only vaccine required by international health regulations. This certificate is valid for a period of 10 years.

Some advice

From the moment you decide to stay abroad, alone or with your family, you must consult your doctor to inform you of any health risks inherent in the country to be visited and possibly obtain preventive treatment. This will also be an opportunity to collect some advice for the prevention of diseases, and to update your vaccination record. He will give you some indications on the incubation periods in order to plan your vaccinations in time. Indeed, if you have to receive several vaccines, you will have to spread them out and plan a vaccination schedule.

Even if the prospect of discovering beautiful landscapes, a new culture, savoring exotic dishes or rubbing shoulders with the local population is exhilarating, you must prepare your trip as well as possible in order to avoid falling ill on the spot. Not only will your stay risk being spoiled, but your expenses will also increase with the cost of care and medication, or even hospitalization. Vaccination allows you to avoid most of these annoyances and to appreciate your destination country for its true value. Despite your vaccinations, it is still possible to have a medical problem, such as an illness or an accident. Always provide travel insurance that includes medical expenses and repatriation to travel with peace of mind.