Travel vaccines to consider before going overseas.

Australia has recently seen a rise in short-term overseas travel, and the article outlines routine and destination-specific vaccines — including measles, flu, hepatitis A, typhoid and rabies — that health providers may recommend before travel.

Australia has just recorded a busy month for short-term overseas travel, and the article highlights the role of pre-travel vaccinations in trip planning. It notes that people visiting friends and relatives are less likely to be vaccinated and often face higher exposure because they stay longer, travel to rural areas, and have closer contact with local populations. Some destinations carry higher infectious disease risks due to climate, water and sanitation quality, and local insects or animals. The piece reviews routine vaccines, destination-specific options, and legally required immunisations for certain entries. Key points: - Australia recently recorded increased short-term overseas travel, which the article cites as the context for renewed attention to pre-travel vaccines. - Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travellers are identified as a group less likely to get vaccinated and at higher risk due to longer stays and closer local contact. - Routine vaccines mentioned include measles (two doses recommended) and seasonal flu, with the article noting flu vaccine protection is strongest for about three to four months. - Destination-specific vaccines discussed include hepatitis A (two doses from one year of age), typhoid (injectable and oral options, with higher risk in parts of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa) and rabies (pre-exposure courses can reduce complexity of treatment after an animal bite). - The article notes some vaccines may be required for entry to particular countries (for example, yellow fever or vaccines for pilgrimage travel) and that access to post-exposure care can be limited in remote areas. - It also reports that many pre-travel vaccines are available at pharmacies or through GPs and travel clinics, and that some vaccines may involve an out-of-pocket cost. Summary: The article emphasizes that pre-travel vaccination choices depend on destination, planned activities and individual health, and that relevant vaccines range from routine immunisations to travel- or entry-specific ones. It reports that people are encouraged to consult a GP or a travel doctor to determine which vaccines are relevant and notes that some countries require proof of certain vaccinations.