Travel vaccinations for the summer – safer travel with the right protection
Before summer and travel, it is important to check your vaccination protection well in advance. Start by making sure that the basic vaccinations included in the national vaccination program are up to date. For travel to Europe, North America, and Australia, no additional vaccinations are usually needed beyond the basic protection.
When traveling farther away — such as to South and Central America, Africa, South and Southeast Asia, or India — vaccination needs may be more extensive. Recommended vaccinations depend on the destination, the length of the trip, and how you plan to stay and travel while there.
Common travel vaccinations include hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, meningococcal diseases, rabies, and cholera. In some situations, protection against influenza, polio, or chickenpox may also be recommended, especially for longer trips or destinations where the risk of infection is higher.
For people spending a lot of time outdoors in Finland and Sweden, the TBE vaccine may be relevant, as tick-borne encephalitis occurs in certain areas. The vaccine is given as a primary series of three doses, with regular booster doses needed to maintain protection.
Adult travelers should also ensure that their tetanus and diphtheria vaccinations are up to date. If necessary, protection against measles, mumps, rubella, and polio should also be checked. Some travelers may be advised to receive booster doses before departure.
Good insect protection is an important part of travel preparations, especially in tropical regions. Mosquitoes can spread diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis. Since different mosquito species are active at different times of the day, protection is needed both during the day and at night. The most effective repellents contain DEET or icaridin. It is also recommended to wear covering clothing and sleep in air-conditioned rooms or under mosquito nets.
For business travel, vaccination needs may be more extensive than for leisure travel. Depending on work duties and the risk area, vaccines against typhoid, meningococcal disease, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, and sometimes polio may be recommended.
When going on a cruise, it is important to pay attention to hygiene, as viruses and bacteria can spread easily onboard ships. In some destinations, vaccination certificates may also be required, for example proof of yellow fever vaccination.
If you would like to know which vaccinations are needed specifically for your trip, the best solution is a personalized travel vaccination assessment. We provide expert guidance and a vaccination plan tailored to your travel itinerary, so you can travel safely and with peace of mind.
Vaccines currently in stock at Wellmedic:
-TBE vaccine (tick-borne encephalitis vaccine)
-dT vaccine (diphtheria–tetanus vaccine for adults)
-Combined hepatitis A and B vaccine (hepatitis AB vaccine)
Other vaccines are available with a prescription. A vaccination fee of €34 plus the cost of the vaccine will be charged.