DHA Clinic: Travelling? Plan vaccinations 4 weeks in advance

It is recommended that individuals who are travelling outside the UAE visit the Traveller’s Clinic and have their necessary vaccinations at least four weeks in advance, because some vaccinations require time to be effective, tipped the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) in its Twitter clinic.
 
Each traveller should ideally visit the Traveller’s Clinic, where an individual assessment is made based on the destination and the health condition of the person. For some countries vaccination is mandatory, pointed the DHA out.
 
“Consult your doctor before you travel long enough in advance to assess potential risks of the destination, receive instructions and tips for safe and healthy travel and to acquire about the different types of vaccinations that may be required for the destination,” said Sawsan Al Nahas, specialist registrar in community medicine at the DHA.
 
With the Umrah season around the corner, the DHA pointed out that travel to the KSA requires a vaccination preventing Meningococcal disease, a relatively unknown but highly contagious bacterium responsible for a high mortality rate.
 
The bacterium can be transmitted though saliva, or close contact with an infected person, and is, therefore, a particular risk factor during pilgrimage travel.
 
The DHA also recommends pilgrims to the KSA to take the flu vaccine, while the pneumonia vaccine is highly recommended for immmo-comprised patients, the elderly and those with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart problems, etc.
 
When travelling to countries where yellow fever prevails, vaccination is a must.
 
Prevalent in Africa and the Americas, yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted through mosquitos. Although most patients recover from the virus, in some cases it reaches a toxic stage, which kills in 50 per cent of the cases.
 
Pregnant women should be particularly precautious when embarking on a trip. “Check with your doctor before planning to travel during pregnancy to get a fitness certificate,” advised Al Nahas, adding that traveling to high-altitude or remote areas without medical services is not recommended in this period.
 
Travellers that are suffering from chronic disease such as diabetes, asthma or other diseases should consult their doctor to assess their particular risks.
 
The DHA also tipped to always get health insurance before travelling, bring along basic first aid tools like cotton, antiseptics, a thermometer and anti-allergic creams, and have your immunization record on hand.
 
The Traveller’s Clinic is open during Ramadan from 8.30am to 1.30pm and is located in Al Barsha and Al Mankhool.

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