With tens of thousands of people set to travel abroad over the Christmas period, AA Travel Insurance are today urging travellers to be properly vaccinated before travelling... This article relates to the position in the UK, but it's as well to ensure that all of us in SA planning to travel ensure we have the necessary vaccinations and/or take the necessary health precautions.
Whilst this shouldn't be much of an issue for those set to visit friends and relatives in a destination they are familiar with, it is the winter sun seekers off to exotic and unfamiliar locations that need to be properly prepared.
Travellers to tropical countries need to take particular care that they are protected against diseases including yellow fever, hepatitis, diphtheria and typhoid fever, among others.
A new survey quoted on nursinginpractice.com has found that more than half of British tourists don't know which countries they need vaccines for.
Of the 2023 adults surveyed, 56% did not know which countries they required jabs for, 36% couldn't remember when they were last vaccinated and 31% were unaware of what they had already been vaccinated against.
A spokesperson from AA Travel Insurance said “Getting the correct vaccinations before going abroad is essential to protect yourself against illness and disease. Not only are travellers risking their health but they also risk invalidating their travel insurance should they fall ill and require medical attention as a direct consequence of having not been vaccinated.”
“The best advice is to book an appointment at your surgery well in advance of travelling as the NHS will provide vaccinations for travel abroad free of charge.”
“It is also important also to remember that vaccines are not 100% effective all of the time. Travellers should take all the usual precautions and not assume immunity just because they have been vaccinated.”
