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Vaccinations
Vaccinations for travel
Physical examination and medical history are necessary for choosing the correct vaccinations. The nature and length of travel, age, health condition (chronic organ disease, psychological problems, medications, immune deficiencies, surgeries, allergies, etc), possibility of pregnancy, previous vaccinations and other factors are important in the consideration of risks.
In order for them to be effective, the vaccinations must be given 6 weeks prior to travel. Booster shots may be given as close as 1 week before departure, in which case, a record of your previous vaccination is necessary.
Active immunizations are available in Hungary for the following 9 diseases: yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, infectious meningitis, rabies, cholera, tetanus and polio. For extended stay abroad, vaccinations against measles, German measles, mumps, chicken pox, pneumococcus and flu are also available.
Yellow fever vaccinations can only be obtained at the Országos Epidemiológiai Központ NemzetköziOltóhely (National Epidemiological Center), 1097 Budapest, Gyáli u. 2-6. Tel.: 476-1100. Several African and most South American countries require yellow fever vaccinations.
For study abroad, the host country’s vaccination laws must be followed. Childhood vaccination records are generally required, proof of measles (MMR) booster shot within 10 years, natural immunity to chicken pox or proof of vaccination and vaccination against meningitis are needed.
Chest x-rays, HIV screening (required in some States and Canada) might also be on the required list.
Hepatitis A and B vaccinations should be obtained wherever you may travel to, vaccination against ticks is recommended for Eastern Europe, the Scandinavian countries and the Baltic states and vaccinations or booster shots against typhoid, tetanus, polio and rabies are recommended when traveling to Central America, the Caribbean, Asia and Africa. For the proper medication against malaria and advice regarding diarrhea, vertigo, water borne and insect transmitted diseases, thrombosis, etc. a doctor should be consulted.
General contraindications for vaccinations are high fever, degenerative neurological diseases, early stages of pregnancy and oversensitivity to the vaccine or its components. Pathological immune conditions affecting the effectiveness of the vaccines are tumors, lymphoma, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, gammaglobulinemia, steroid treatments and HIV infection.
It is important that accurate information regarding present and past illnesses be given the doctor and that the vaccination records be available.
