It's a good idea to visit your doctor at least four weeks before traveling to allow sufficient time for the vaccines to take effect.  Some generalizations governing vaccines for traveling:
  • Immune globulin can be substituted for the Hepatitis A vaccine.
  • Hepatitis B is highly recommended if you might be exposed to blood (e.g., health care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or plan to stay for longer than six months.
  • Boosters can be used for DTP, measles, and polio.
  • A polio booster is suggested for countries outside of the Western Hemisphere.
  • The rabies vaccine is a good idea if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
  • Typhoid vaccine is particularly important if you are visiting developing countries.
  • Japanese Encephalitis vaccine is recommended for those staying for an extended period time, especially during the rainy season in rural areas.
  • Viral and Bacterial Vaccinations to Consider before Traveling

     
     
    Hepatitis A
    Hepatitis B
    Japanese Enceph-
    alitis
    Measles
    Polio
    Rabies
    Yellow Fever
     DTP
    Meningo-
    coccal
    Typhoid
    Australia/South Pacific
    X
       
    X
    X
    X
     
    X
     
    X
    Caribbean
    X
    X
     
    X
     
    X
    X
     
     
    X
    Central Africa
    X
    X
     
    X
    X
    X
    X
    X
    X
    X
    East Africa
    X
    X
    X
    X
    X
    X
     
    X
     
    X
    East Asia
    X
    X
    X
    X
    X
    X
     
    X
     
    X
    East Europe
    X
    X
     
    X
    X
    X
     
    X
     
    X
    India
    X
    X
    X
    X
    X
    X
     
    X
     
    X
    Mexico/Central America
    X
    X
     
    X
     
    X
    X
    X
     
    X
    Middle East
    X
    X
     
    X
    X
    X
     
    X
    X
     
    North Africa
    X
    X
     
    X
    X
    X
     
    X
     
    X
    Southern Africa
    X
    X
     
    X
    X
    X
     
    X
     
    X
    SE Asia
    X
    X
    X
    X
    X
    X
     
    X
     
    X
    Tropical South America
    X
    X
     
    X
     
    X
     X
    X
     
    X
    Temperate South America
    X
     
     
    X
     
    X
    X
    X
     
    X
    West Africa
    X
    X
     
    X
    X
    X
     X
    X
    X
    X
    West Europe
    X
    X
     
     
     
     
     
    X
     
     


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