Ninox Health

Travel Vaccinations at Ninox Health: Prepare Safely for Your Overseas Trip

Travel Clinic Q&A

Patients often ask us a lot of the same questions. We’ve compiled them to help prepare for your next trip

1. Do I really need a travel health consult?

Yes, regardless of your travel destination, but especially if you’re heading to Asia, Africa, South America and
the Pacific Islands.
During the consult, we check that your vaccines are up to date, that you have the appropriate medications
and that you are aware of destination-specific risks such as mosquito-borne illnesses, food and water safety
issues and altitude sickness.

2. How early should I book an appointment?

The earlier the better! But ideally, 6-8 weeks before you depart. Some vaccines need multiple doses or take
time to become fully effective. If you’re traveller earlier, don’t panic – we can still help you the best we can!

3. Which are the most common vaccinations that travellers need?

It really depends on your destination, but the most common vaccinations include:

1. Hepatitis A
2. Typhoid booster
3. Rabies
4. Yellow Fever
5. Japanese Encephalitis

At your appointment, we tailor recommendations to your exact itinerary, not just the country!

4. Do I really need malaria tablets?

It depends! If you’re travelling to a malaria high-risk region, then definitely! Together, we look at your route
and length of stay and advise regarding medication. Regardless, mosquito avoidance is essential!

5. Is traveller’s diarrhoea really that common?

Yes unfortunately! It is the most common travel illness. During your consult, we’ll help prepare a simple
treatment kit and discuss ways to reduce your risk while enjoying local food.

6. What should I pack in a travel health kit?

Again, it depends! Kits are customised based on your activities whether that’s diving, cruising, trekking or
backpacking. A basic kit usually includes oral rehydration solution, anti-diarrhoea medication,
antihistamines, simple pain relief, insect repellent, sunscreen and basic wound care items.

7. Do I need travel insurance?

Absolutely! Health care can be extremely expensive overseas, and some destinations require proof of
insurance for entry. Ensure your policy includes medical evacuation.

8. If I have chronic health conditions, can I still travel?

Yes – most people can! We will help plan medication supplies, time-zone dosing and prepare travel letters for
customs if required.

Vaccine spotlight: Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a virus that affects the liver and is spread through contaminated food and water. It is one of the most
common vaccine-preventable infections that affects Australians travelling overseas. Common sources of contracting
hepatitis A include fresh fruit washed in tap water, ice cubes made from untreated water, street food handled
without handwashing, shellfish from contaminated water, shared serving utensils at buffets.

Who should consider it?

• Anyone travelling to Asia, Middle East, South America, Africa, the Pacific Islands.
• Cruise passengers
• Adventure travellers and backpackers
• Families with young children
• Those with chronic medical conditions, travellers with sensitive stomachs

Why is it important?

The hepatitis A vaccine is highly effective with one dose giving strong protection, two doses provide long-term
immunity. There is no treatment for hepatitis A – prevention is the best method. When to get it? Ideally 2-4 weeks
before travel, but even just before is worthwhile. A second dose 6-36 months after the first dose

Vaccine spotlight: Typhoid

Typhoid is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi. It is spread through contaminated food and water.
Symptoms include high fever, stomach pain, severe fatigue, diarrhoea or constipation. Without any treatment, it can
become very serious – prevention is essential. Common sources of contracting typhoid include: fresh fruit washed in
untreated water, ice made in tap water, street food, shared serving utensils at buffets, raw or undercooked seafood,
food prepared by those unknowingly infected.
Who should consider it?

• Travellers heading to South Asia, rural areas or small towns
• Backpackers and long-term travellers
• Those planning to eat lots of street food
• Families with travelling with kids

Why is it important?

Typhoid is common in popular destinations such as India, Nepal, Vietnam and parts of Africa. It is spread through
common everyday foods such as salads, fruit, ice, street food with protection lasting 2-3 years. When to get it? Aim
for 2-4 weeks before travel, but even just before is worthwhile. Protection lasts up to 3 years for the injectable
vaccine, and up to 3-5 years with oral vaccine.

The three things travellers always forget

1. Checking their immunisation status
It’s easy to assume all your childhood immunisations are still doing the job, but sometimes you need a
booster and travel exposes you to different risks. Book a consult to check if you need any further
immunisations

2. Mosquito protection
Travellers commonly remember to pack sunscreen, but often forget insect repellent. Mosquito-borne
illnesses can be more common that you realise. Ensure to pack ligh, long-sleeved clothing for evenings too!

3. Personal travel health kit
Most people think they’ll just buy something over there. But if you are sick, dehydrated or stuck in transit
you need something now, not after trying to find a pharmacy. Important items to consider adding to your kit
include:

• Oral rehydration salts
• Anti-diarrhoeal medication
• Antihistamines
• Simple pain relief
• Basic wound care
• Any personal medication

What happens in a travel consult?

Most people think that a travel consult is just immunisation. But really, it’s a personalised review of your health to
protect you from the most common and unexpected risks of overseas travel. Every consult is different because every
trip is different. Here’s some key parts of your consult:

1. Itinerary review
We look at where you’re going, how long for, and what you’re doing. This shapes the entire consult

2. Immunisation assessment and recommendations
We check your immunisation status and adjust based on your destination. This may include routine boosters
and/or travel vaccines.

3. Mosquito-borne illness prevention
Mosquito-borne illnesses are common in many destinations. We discuss whether you need malaria tablets,
best repellents, clothing and timing strategies and destination-specific risk levels.

4. Food and water safety advice
Traveller’s diarrhoea is one of the most common travel illnesses. During the consult we discuss what foods
are safest, what to avoid, how to handle salads, ice and street food and how to treat symptoms if they occur.

5. Personalised travel health kit planning
We help build a kit tailored to your trip. This may include: oral rehydration salts, anti-diarrhoeal medication,
antihistamines, simple pain relief, first aid items, altitude or motion sickness medication, your regular
medications.

6. Chronic conditions and medical planning
If you have a chronic health condition and take regular medications, we can assist with time-zone dosing,
medication letters for customs and managing flare-ups while overseas.

7. Destination specific tips
Depending on your itinerary, we might discuss altitude sickness, heat and humidity risks, animal bites, safe
swimming, local health alerts and cultural considerations.