Vaccinations are very important
When most people are busy getting their passport and visa ready when they have decided to travel abroad, they have to understand that vaccinations are equally important. Taking the necessary shots is required for your safety. Unfortunately, many disease are still prevalent in other parts of the world even if they may have been eliminated in your country. Most vaccinations take time to become effective in the body and some have to be given in a series over a period of days or weeks.
As a traveller, you have to access your risk by considering the nature and duration of your trip. Secondly, always inform your doctor exactly where you are going, so he can advise you accordingly. Thirdly, never assume that because you have been vaccinated, you are protected. You still have to take the necessary precautions.
Ideally set up an appointment with your doctor 4 to 6 weeks before your departure. If its less than 4 weeks, still go and see your doctor. You can still benefit from the shots and you will get valuable information about how to protect yourself from illness while you travel.
Basically there are 3 types of vaccinations.
Routine
The set of routine ones are required with predetermined number of years between shots.
Recommended
The set of recommended ones are the ones that protect an individual if he were to go to a specific destination or for a specific disease.
Required
This is a set of required vaccinations. They are dictated by International Health Guidelines. Presently, a Yellow Fever certificate is the only one required for people travelling to Sub Sahara Africa and South America.
Special precautions are to be taken by the following categories of people and they must consult a doctor before going ahead.
Pregnant Women
Women who are Breast Feeding
People suffering Acute Illnesses
Immuno compromised Patients
Some specific vaccination information
Yellow fever
This is a serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. It is endemic to parts of Tropical Africa and South America.
Procedure for yellow Fever certificate in Mumbai.
Indian travellers returning from designated countries in Africa and South America are required to have yellow fever vaccination done (ideally) ten days before they travel. Immigration Officers at Indian airports will demand for a certificate showing one is vaccinated against yellow fever. The vaccination is valid for ten years. Lack of vaccine certification means seven days spent at the quarantine centre.
Yellow fever vaccination for international travel can only be gotten at the following two centres in the city. No other govt. or private centre can provide the immunization certificate (including hospitals like Apollo). There are cases in Chandigarh and other cities in North Indian where this happens but not yet in Mumbai.
INFORMATION AS PER JUNE 2010
Mumbai
1. Seamen Medical
Nav Bhavan Bldg., 3rd Flr.
Ballard Estate, Ramji Kamani Marg
Mumbai - 400 038
Tel : 22612256
Time : 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Charges : Rs.300/-
Days : Monday to Friday (Closed on all Public Holidays)
Documents required: Original passport,3 notes of rupee 100 denomination notes only (change, and 1000/500 notes not allowed)
You have to register the previous day between 5.30 and 6.00 PM.
maximum entries:80
2. Sahar International Airport
Below Airport Flyover
Vile Parle
Mumbai - 400 099
Tel : 26828991
Time : 3.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Charges : Rs.300
Days: Monday to Friday (Closed on all Public Holidays)
Documents required: Original passport and valid International ticket
maximum entries:70
Note : Carry Original Passport and TICKET(only @ sahar airport)
In addition, do note that you should come in the morning at 10AM to register yourself with the authorities. It takes about 5 minutes for registration but there is only one person to attend to you.
Once your name is registerd they give you a Token Number and mention the same on your ticket. You are then asked to come back from 1430HRS onwards for vaccination at the same place.
w.e.f. 10th May 2010 Sahar Airport Authorities will admit 70 people v/s the previous figure of 40 admissions a day. Registration & Vaccination will be provided on the same day, unlike the previous process of prior registration a day before.
Malaria
Please note there is no vaccination against Malaria. This is a serious and sometimes fatal disease. Widespread in Central and South America, Africa, The Middle East, The Indian Subcontinent and South East Asia. This is caused by the bite of an infected mosquito. This disease can be cured by prescription drugs, just make sure to tell your General Physician that you have been travelling to Malaria risk areas. There are tablets you can take for prevention, which you can start taking before you leave, during your stay and for some time after your return.
Typhoid / Hepatitis A
Associated with poor hygiene and sanitation, transmitted by food, drink and faecal oral route.
Diphtheria / Tetanus / Polio
Transmitted through respiratory droplets, personal contact, contaminated bed linen, clothing etc
Tetanus spores are present in the soil worldwide and the disease is caused from contaminated wounds.
Polio is transmitted through faecal oral route.
Meningitis
It is transmitted through respiratory droplets and personal contact. This vaccine is highly recommended for travellers to the Sub Sahara Africa and Saudi Arabia. It is mandatory for all pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to be vaccinated during Hajj.
Japanese Encephalitis
This spread by mosquitoes occurs throughout south-east Asia, mainly in rural areas and during the monsoon season. A vaccine is available for those who are travelling to rural areas in the monsoon season and staying more than two weeks.
Rabies
This is a risk to long term travellers to remote locations, where they are exposed to potentially rabid animals and are beyond the reach of immediate medical assistance.
Hepatitis B
This is a blood borne viral infection through infected blood and contaminated needles.
Nowadays there are very few mandatory immunizations required for travellers. Yellow fever is the main example, that too required only for parts of Africa and South America. All travellers to Saudi Arabia for Hajj have to get immunized for Meningitis. Typhoid and Hepatitis A vaccines are required and recommended for South East Asia, Africa and South America. For Canada, North America, Most of Europe, Australia and New Zealand, there are no listed required vaccinations. Sometimes it may not even be required by embassies, but even though a certificate may not be required for entering that country, immunization is still recommended.
The Action Plan
1. Get your health check up done at least a month in advance, and all the necessary vaccinations too.
2. Make photocopies of your certificates and place in separate bags.
3. Meet your doctor before you leave and ask him about the do’s and don’ts to be safe and healthy.
4. Make sure to buy health insurance.
5. Read up on the places you are visiting, so that you are aware of what you need to do to be prepared.
6. Make sure to check up on the banned drugs and avoid carrying those.
We have tried to provide information to the best of our knowledge, but please double check with the telephone numbers provided. Always consult your health care professional. And do not forget, while travelling to a country of potential health hazard, get your shots a month in advance. Also, as mentioned before, never assume that because you have been vaccinated, you are protected. Make sure you are well hydrated when you travel, have mineral water and wash your hands frequently. Take care of your food, drink and personal hygiene.
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