Don’t forget this! Your Essential Guide to Travel Vaccination

Updated on February 26th, 2025

Over the last week I have been getting to grips with my preparation for our upcoming Namibia trip, which has involved getting up to date on all the travel vaccinations that are required. 

As a result, I thought I would take some time this week to delve a little deeper into the pre-travel world of jabs!

Staying healthy while exploring new destinations is essential to make the most of your experiences and knowing that you are covered for any unexpected and unwanted infections is a must for peace of mind.

During the COVID years, vaccination and testing was an extra hurdle we had to navigate to travel, and one which needed a whole other level of organisation pre-flight. I must admit, I got caught out a couple of times with changing rules and ill-judged assumptions.

And that wasn’t the first time for me either. When preparing for my last trip to Namibia, I knew I needed a rabies jab as I was heading there to volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary. What I didn’t realise was that it involves three shots, within 28 days of each other to make sure you are fully covered. 

I also didn’t have that time before I left…or at least, not when I was in the country and the Drs surgery was open. So, I negotiated with the nurse. 

I bought the jab and kept it in my fridge in the hope I could find someone with a nursing background and a willingness to help.

Luckily, I managed to persuade a friend of mine to administer it for me. 

I paid her with tea and cake and we both had a good gossip before addressing the elephant in the room. 

She was no longer a healthcare professional and actually hadn’t given anyone an injection for over 20 years!

I was out of options so with me carefully reading the instructions, we held each other’s hand (almost literally!) through the process.

I breathed a sigh of relief and vowed never to get myself into that situation again. 

And when I got bitten by a meerkat while trying to get it to safety from a bushfire, I was very pleased that I completed the injection schedule! You can read all about that adventure HERE. 

So, in the spirit of “do as I say, not as I do”, if you want to learn from my mistakes, here is a bit more info on why vaccinations are important and everything else you need to consider:

When travelling, especially internationally, you may be exposed to diseases that are uncommon or even non-existent in your home country. Some regions have health risks such as malaria, typhoid, or yellow fever, which can pose a threat if you’re not properly protected. Vaccinations are crucial because they help prevent serious illness and keep your immune system strong, allowing you to enjoy your travels with peace of mind.

Key Considerations for Travel Vaccinations:

• Research Your Destination 

Every country has different vaccination requirements based on the diseases that are more common there. This may also change over time, so checking each time before you travel is essential. Search online (your government website is a good place to start, as is that of your destinations) for the most up-to-date information on what’s required and recommended for specific destinations. Sometimes it may only be certain areas of the country that are affected so be as specific with your plans as possible. 

For example, I have twice taken malaria tablets (which are neither cheap nor pleasant) when I didn’t need to. The first was for Bolivia when the risk was only relevant for areas I wasn’t visiting which I found out while chatting to fellow travellers on my tour. And when I was in Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, I discovered that we were above the altitude for mosquitoes to be a risk, even before we started. My guide actually said that the biggest concern was the side effects if I kept taking them.

• Consult with a Travel Health Specialist 

In addition, always consult with a healthcare professional or a travel clinic before you go. The rules and schedules are always changing as they learn more about the long-term effects of the vaccines. They can advise on what vaccinations are necessary, how to plan your vaccine schedule, and answer any questions you may have about local health risks. Ideally access to your vaccination records and take these along to your consultation. 

For example, I originally had my Yellow Fever vaccine ahead of my first big trip, spending three months on an overland truck through Central and Eastern Africa. It was valid for 10 years. So next time I travelled to a country at risk I needed another. Nowadays, they say that yellow fever vaccine provides lifelong protection for most people after just one injection. So thankfully, that is now me covered for life!

• Plan Ahead 

Some vaccines require multiple doses or need to be given a certain amount of time before departure to be fully effective. Aim to start the vaccination process at least 4-6 weeks before your trip. This will allow time for your body to build immunity. See my story above, enough said!

• Carry Proof of Vaccination 

Certain countries may require proof of vaccination, especially for diseases like yellow fever. Always carry your vaccination record with you, either digitally or physically, so you can present it when needed. As above, when you consult with your healthcare professional, make sure you request a printout of all your vaccinations just in case you are asked to present it at immigration. For extra organisation points, ask them to make a note of when you will need a top up of any to help with future travels.

• Stay Updated on Routine Vaccinations 

In addition to travel-specific vaccines, make sure your routine vaccinations (such as tetanus, measles, and flu shots) are up to date. Diseases like measles can be more common in some parts of the world, and being fully protected ensures you’re not putting yourself or others at risk. Remember our own health is one thing, but just as important is that you are not taking any infections with you when you go, which would put others at risk.

Taking the time to research and get the appropriate vaccinations will help protect your health and enhance your travel experience. With the right precautions, you can explore the world with confidence and focus on creating memories that last a lifetime.

So, have you ever been caught out with a vaccination requirement before your travels? Please share as I’d love to hear the story (to make me feel a little better about my incompetence!). Hit reply to this email to let me know or connect via your social method of choice (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads or LinkedIn) to give me all the details.

For more of this kind of advice, check out my blog post on HERE. However, if you have found this useful, in my new Find Your Way course (The Ultimate Guide to Starting Your Travel Journey) I am ploughing all the knowledge and mistakes from over 30 years of travel to benefit you. The course has been specifically designed for anyone who wants to travel but has no idea where to start. If you would like to join my ever-growing list of interested parties, or know someone who might, then hit reply and let me know, or forward this directly to them and they can contact me themselves.

Did you find this email useful? If so, why not forward it to a friend?

Until next time, 

Safe Travels

Sue x

This newsletter may contain affiliate links. By using these, Sue Where Why What may receive a small commission for which I say thank you, but you will not pay any extra charges for this. My opinions remain my own.

​More of my Adventures…

Blog – Top 11 Wildlife Experiences in the World

Blog – How to Survive a Bushfire in Namibia

Video – Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, 8 days on the Lemosho Route – Tanzania, Africa

Download a PDF VERSION OF THIS NEWSLETTER

Just click the 5th icon in the grey tool bar below (with the down arrow) to save the pdf to your computer.

Follow Me!