Vaccines You Need to Get Before Traveling

Aside from the flu vaccine, there aren’t a whole lot of immunizations Americans need to worry about once they reach adulthood. If you plan on traveling, however, that changes. These vaccines are highly recommended for anyone spending a lot of time overseas.

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is actually required for anyone traveling to portions of Africa and South America. The disease can be life threatening and is often spread through mosquito bites in tropical regions of South American and sub-Saharan portions of Africa.

Typhoid Fever

Though not nearly as prominent as yellow fever, typhoid is highly recommended by the CDC. In fact, there are many countries that won’t let you across the border if you’re attempting to enter from a country where typhoid fever is prominent without a vaccination.

Rabies

It’s possible you’re already vaccinated against rabies since the virus is still found in North America. It also occurs routinely in Southeast Asia, China and parts of South America, including Brazil. You might want to ask your doctor before traveling if you’re up to date.

Japanese Encephalitis

Another disease spread by mosquitos, Japanese encephalitis is common throughout Asia and the western Pacific regions. Though contraction is rare, one in four cases are fatal so it’s a good idea to get vaccinated if you’re heading east anytime soon.

MMR

There are an estimated 20 million new measles cases around the world each year. International travel is the leading cause of measles in the United States, so it’s important to receive an MMR vaccination if you haven’t done so already to prevent an outbreak upon returning to U.S. soil.