TRAVEL VACCINATION INFORMATION
Tetanus
A bacterial infection present in the soil. It occurs worldwide, including in Ireland. Infection enters the body
via cuts to the skin. In persons who are not immunised, the infection has the potential to cause problems
affecting the nervous system. Most Irish people received a course of this vaccine during childhood. If you
have not received a tetanus shot in the past 10 years, you might require a booster shot before travel; this will
avoid the need to seek out a clinic overseas that can provide you with this vaccine in the event of a cut or other
open wound injury.
Polio
A viral infection that is still present in some parts of Africa and South Asia (but not in Latin America).
Transmission is by hand to mouth. It affects the nervous system.
In Ireland, this vaccine is not available as a stand-alone shot and comes combined with other vaccines in a
single shot e.g. Polio/Tetanus/Diphtheria (combined).
As of late 2010, Polio is still affecting the following countries: Afghanistan, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso,
Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Democratic Republic of), Congo (Republic Of),
Guinea, India, Ivory Coast, Kazakhstan, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia,
Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tajikistan, Togo, Turkmenistan and Uganda.
Diphtheria
This is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation in the upper respiratory tract. Transmission is by
airborne droplets from person to person. The vaccine for this disease is usually combined with the tetanus
vaccine.
Hepatitis A
This is a virus which is spread by food and/or water that have been contaminated. Travellers to most
Developing Countries should be vaccinated for this disease, as it is common.
MMR (Measles/Mumps/Rubella)
The MMR vaccine was introduced in Ireland in 1988 and was routinely given to children in Ireland after that
date. Two doses of the MMR vaccine, separated by one month, leads to life-long protection for all three
diseases. The vaccine is most commonly given to Health-Care Workers who do not have evidence of having
received 2 doses of MMR vaccine.
Typhoid
A bacterial infection (a member of the salmonella food poisoning family) transmitted by contaminated food
and/or water. Vaccination against this disease is recommended for travel to many Developing Countries.
Varicella (Chickenpox)
This vaccine is given mainly to Health-Care Workers who do not have a history of having had a Chickenpox
infection in childhood and who test negative for the disease on blood testing. Two doses of vaccine given at
least one month apart leads to life-long immunity.
Hepatitis B
This is another viral infection, this time of blood/body fluids. While it is uncommon in Western countries, it is
found in up to 10% of the population in Africa, China and South-East Asia.
This vaccine has become part of the standard vaccines given to babies in Ireland since 2008.
The kind of patients to whom this vaccine is of particular importance are those engaged in volunteer work in
orphanages, schools, clinics and hospices. It should be given to anyone participating in contact sports in highrisk regions (e.g. rugby trips to South Africa). It is also of importance to anyone who might come into direct
contact with blood, body fluids or be exposed to accidental bites. The infection is also sexually transmitted
and so is a risk to anyone who might be exposed to casual sexual contact while travelling.
Pneumococcal Vaccine
This is a bacterial infection that can cause significant chest infection (pneumonia). The vaccine is now
routinely given to babies in Ireland as part of the childhood immunisation schedule. It is also recommended
for adults older than 65 years, those with weakened immune systems (e.g. those without a spleen) and some
chronic conditions (diabetes, heart, lung and liver disease). The vaccine is not normally required for young
and middle-aged healthy adults.
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Protection for whooping cough ('Pertussis') is available only as part of a combined
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio/Whooping cough (Pertussis) single-shot vaccine. 1 shot provides protection against
all four diseases for 10 years. This vaccine is used to boost the original immunity that was provided by
childhood vaccination for Whooping cough.