Health Information for International Travel

Consultation with a physician is a prerequisite to vaccination. Personal medical history, circumstances and length of travel, age, current health status (i.e., chronic illnesses, psychological problems, current medications, surgeries, allergies, possible pregnancy, etc.) and a record of prior immunizations is information that must be taken into account when choosing the right vaccine and determining possible risk factors. The health questionnaire provided will also be the consent form.

Vaccinations

In order for the vaccines to be effective, they must be given 6 weeks prior to the date of travel. Booster shots may be given up to 1 week prior to departure. Your vaccination record book should be brought with you for information regarding all your previous vaccination shots.

Active immunizations for 21 diseases are available in Hungary. The Buda Health Center will provide all the vaccinations required for travel abroad: hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever, meningococcal meningitis, rabies, cholera, tetanus, polio and yellow fever. In cases of extended stay, studies or special assignments abroad, vaccinations against measles, German measles, mumps, chicken pox, pneumococcus and flu may be required. Vaccination against yellow fever is mandatory in most Central African and South American countries.

When studying abroad, the host country's vaccination laws must be followed. Childhood immunization records are generally required as well as proof of measles (MMR) booster shots within 10 years, proof of natural immunity to or vaccination against chicken pox and immunization against meningococcal meningitis. Chest x-rays, HIV screening (in some States and Canada) might also be on the required list.

Immunization against hepatitis A and B vaccines are recommended for all areas of the world and, when travelling in Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and the Baltic States, immunization against ticks is advised as well. Vaccinations or booster shots against typhoid fever, tetanus, polio and rabies are recommended for travelers to Central America, the Caribbean, Asia and Africa. Medical consultation is necessary for choosing proper protection against malaria and suggested for personal advice regarding diarrhea, vertigo, water borne and insect transmitted diseases, danger of thrombosis, etc.

Contraindications

General contraindications for administering vaccines are high fever, deteriorating neurological disease, early stages of pregnancy and oversensitivity to the vaccine or to its components. Pathological immune conditions that influence the vaccine's effectiveness are tumors, lymphoma, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, leukemia, Hodgkin disease, gammaglobulinemia, steroid treatments and HIV infection.

It is important that the information you provide your medical consultant regarding your present and past illnesses is as accurate as possible and remember to bring your immunization records with you.