Heading overseas? Don’t forget your travel vaccinations – you can get them on campus
How good is it to be able to travel again? If you’re planning an overseas trip, you’ve probably been focusing on sorting your itinerary, booking flights and ensuring your passport is up to date.
But there’s nothing worse than getting sick while you’re on holiday, so don’t forget your travel vaccinations, which will protect you against serious diseases like hepatitis, typhoid and malaria. In some locations, being vaccinated against diseases like yellow fever is a legal requirement for you to enter the country.
Vaccinations you will need depend on:
- your medical history and age
- your destination and likely accommodation
- season of travel
- length of stay
- type of travel (such as bus tour or backpacking).
Many countries also require an International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC), which you can access from your myGov account or by contacting the Australian Immunisation Register.
Have an on-campus travel consultation …
We recommend you have a pre-travel consultation with your GP, which you can do right here on campus through our Deakin Medical Centres! In the 30-minute appointment, you’ll discuss your travel plans, health needs and required vaccinations.
We can also give you travel health advice specific to your destination. Depending on where you’re going, there might be certain risks to watch out for, medications you might need, a prevalence of diseases or contaminated drinking water.
If you need vaccinations, our nursing staff can usually give most vaccines to you straight after your consultation. There’s even a discounted rate for students, leaving you more spending money for your holiday!
… but don’t leave it to the last minute
You should book your travel health consultation at least six weeks before you leave, so you have time to make any necessary arrangements and to allow any vaccinations to take effect.
To make the most of your consultation, please bring a record of your previous vaccinations and a detailed travel itinerary.
Please wear a face mask to your appointment. If you normally attend the Deakin Medical Centre at the Waurn Ponds Campus, note that all medical appointments will be held at our Waterfront Campus until February 2023, while improvement works are carried out.
Other pre-travel essentials
It’s a good idea to read up on your destination and learn about any associated health or other risks. Visit smarttraveller.gov.au for accurate and timely travel health and safety advice.
You should also:
- Buy sufficient travel insurance. Getting sick or injured overseas can end up costing tens of thousands of dollars if you’re not adequately covered.
- Think about your prescription medicines and take enough to cover you for the trip. It’s a good idea to carry a spare script and to check with your doctor whether you need a letter declaring that you’re carrying medicines for health purposes.
- Book a dental check. A tooth ache can really dampen your holiday – just imagine all the good food you’ll miss out on!
- Have a vision check and pack a spare pair of glasses.
Happy travelling!