What about Vaccinations?
Traveling abroad can mean exposure to new health risks, however it’s much better to be prepared than scared. It is important that you speak to your GP or a travel doctor well before you travel. If vaccines are required, they can sometimes take four to six weeks to take effect, and some may require more than one shot. Be specific when telling them about your destination and program as the type of travel jabs you need depends on which country you're visiting and what you're doing. In most cases vaccinations are recommended but your medical history and childhood immunizations will be taken into account.
Your GP will have many of the standard vaccines in stock, but may not have Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis or Yellow Fever. The Yellow Fever vaccine can only be given at a registered Yellow Fever Vaccination center. If you’re planning a long stint abroad, and especially if you plan to visit rural areas, it’s best to contact a travel doctor or an infectious disease specialist.
For those who want to do their own research, www.cdc.gov is a great website for country specific information. Click the link on the left to visit the CDC website.
It’s important that all immunizations are recorded and presented on an official International Certificate of Vaccination, also known as the "yellow health card". Your GP, travel doctor, or infectious disease specialist will complete the details of your vaccinations and provide an official stamp where required. Generally you will only be asked to present the yellow health card if you’re traveling to an area where a Yellow Fever immunization is required.