Travel vaccination
Our guide to vaccinations

In order to protect yourself from infectious diseases when traveling abroad to "exotic" countries, travel vaccinations are medically advisable and necessary. As in many countries certain vaccinations may only be recommended or are mandatory (check!), it is essential to find out about them in advance.

Whether and which vaccinations make sense also depends on the destination and the type of travel. More comprehensive vaccination protection is needed for individual adventure trips to risk areas or for trips to more rural areas off the tourist routes than for a package vacation on the beach or in the city.

Travel medical advice:
Before starting a trip abroad, a personal medical consultation with a specialist doctor or travel medicine specialist is recommended to find out which travel vaccinations you really need. This will take into account the destination, time and type of trip as well as any existing illnesses and your current vaccination status according to your vaccination record. This usually contains the standard vaccinations you have already received (tetanus, polio, diphtheria, etc.) as well as further information on upcoming boosters.
Always carry your vaccination certificate with you when you travel - as proof and also in case of an emergency.

How long before your trip should you get vaccinated?
As the immune system needs some time for the vaccination to take full effect, it is advisable to schedule a consultation four to six weeks before you travel. A consultation and vaccination is also recommended for trips planned at short notice.

There is a whole range of important travel vaccinations for abroad. Vaccinations are even compulsory for certain countries. Without the relevant mandatory vaccinations, you cannot enter the country or you may be refused entry. The respective vaccination requirements are specified by the health authorities of the individual countries in accordance with WHO recommendations.

• Yellow fever: when traveling to Africa, Asia, South and Central America, widespread
  
• Hepatitis A, B and C: He patitis A for all non-European travel, hepatitis B for travel to risk areas and for long-term travel, combination vaccine available, vaccination against hepatitis C is not possible
  
• Polio: when traveling to South America, Africa and Southeast Asia
  
• Diphtheria: occurs in many countries worldwide, therefore still strongly recommended
  
• Meningococcal meningitis: when traveling to Africa, Saudi Arabia (mandatory for pilgrimages)
  
• Meningoencephalitis (TBE): for long-term trips to Southeast Asia
  
• Typhoid fever: for long-term stays in Southeast Asia, Africa, South America
  
• Rabies: when traveling to risk areas in Asia, Africa and South America, rural regions
  
• Cholera: for long-term stays in Africa, South America, India

When traveling to all non-European countries, Africa, Asia, etc., not only a travel vaccination but also travel health insurance is highly recommended. Without additional international health insurance, you have no insurance cover in the event of illness in these countries.

The cost of a travel vaccination can vary considerably, as there can be different vaccines for the same vaccination. Vaccine costs start at around 30 euros for a rabies vaccination, yellow fever from around 60 euros and up to 80 euros for hepatitis A and B. A meningococcal vaccination costs around 100 euros.

For all vaccinations, there are additional costs for the administration of the vaccines by a doctor or health authority. For yellow fever vaccinations, you must visit a special yellow fever vaccination center, such as a public health department, tropical institute or experienced tropical doctor. The vaccination is then entered in the yellow vaccination certificate, signed by a doctor and officially certified.

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As a person with statutory health insurance, you are responsible for the costs of vaccinations for private (vacation) trips abroad. However, many health insurance companies have now included preventive vaccinations for stays abroad in their benefits catalog. It is best to enquire about this with your health insurance company before you travel. If you are traveling abroad on business, your employer will generally bear the costs.

Benefits for travel vaccinations:

• Vaccine
• Vaccination by a doctor
• Medical advice from a doctor
• Additional examinations