Mandatory vaccination when traveling – an important topic especially due to the current Corona pandemic. But not only the upcoming vaccinations against COVID-19 have to be considered by all of us. For many long-distance journeys, entry requirements apply, which also include special vaccinations.
We would now like to give you an overview of the necessary vaccinations. When should you get vaccinated? Which entry restrictions or. -regulations there are? Which countries have compulsory vaccination? We would like to explain these and other questions for you in more detail.
Why is mandatory vaccination important when traveling?
In medicine, a vaccination is the most important and effective protection against serious, contagious diseases. Modern vaccines are well tolerated, the application is uncomplicated and fast. Vaccines protect even twice! The vaccinated person prevents infection with a disease and at the same time protects those who cannot be vaccinated.
If the vaccination rate is high enough, disease can even disappear altogether. In Europe and in large parts of the world, for example, rabies, cholera and polio have practically disappeared from the circle of serious or even fatal diseases.
You are planning a long-distance trip beyond Europe? Then you should inform yourself in any case about the necessary or even mandatory vaccinations in the vacation country. Your immune system must be prepared for a long-distance trip with the appropriate travel vaccinations. This way, you not only protect yourself, but you also can’t bring home any diseases as unwanted luggage.
When must the vaccination take place?
The question can not be answered in a general way. It always depends on which country you are traveling to, when the trip is taking place and which vaccinations are required upon entry. Nevertheless, you should always think about the vaccination protection when booking a long-distance trip!
Because many vaccines take some time to become fully effective, you should allow enough time for them to take effect . This is especially true for vaccines that have to be administered in multiple doses. If you plan too tightly here, in the worst case the entry could be refused by the authorities.
In addition, the necessary vaccinations cannot be given everywhere. For a yellow fever vaccination, for example, you sometimes have to wait several weeks for a free appointment. As a guideline you should start with the necessary vaccinations at least two months before the beginning of your trip!
We recommend that you consult your family doctor or physician directly after booking a trip abroad. contact your general practitioner in order to plan the further procedure with regard to compulsory vaccination when traveling. The sooner the vaccinations take effect, the more relaxed you can be when planning your vacation.
Who carries out the vaccination?
The vaccinations themselves may any established doctor or. carry out any female doctor. If you are traveling to a destination that requires several mandatory vaccinations, you should consult with a medical professional or a health care professional. contact a physician who is experienced in travel medicine.
A special feature is the yellow fever vaccination: this vaccine may only be administered by doctors who have a state license for this purpose. Only through approval by these agencies, you will receive the necessary visa. So inform yourself in time about the places that can carry out this vaccination.
But be careful: every vaccination can be accompanied by side effects. They should therefore only be carried out if you are in good health. In addition, you should allow yourself 24 – 48 hours of rest after the vaccination, so that your immune system can work. Vaccination shortly before the start of a trip is therefore not recommended.
For which countries is vaccination compulsory when traveling?
Of course, you should have the basic vaccination protection for long-distance travel, which is considered standard within Europe. The STIKO, the Standing Commission on Vaccination, issues regular recommendations to citizens in this regard. Of course, your general practitioner or. your family doctor can help you. A call to your health insurance company will also help you to get the most important information about compulsory vaccinations when traveling.
We have compiled a rough overview from which you can find both recommended and mandatory vaccinations. Please note that this list is not exhaustive of all vaccinations. Depending on the country and circumstances, the requirements for mandatory vaccination when traveling may change. Also, countries that were previously free to visit may introduce compulsory vaccination when traveling.
How to protect yourself when traveling?
Even if you have all the necessary vaccinations, you should still protect yourself as much as possible when traveling. In addition to compulsory vaccination when traveling, there are other measures to take! We have compiled the most important tips and tricks for you, so that you can enjoy your long-distance travel undisturbed and at the same time minimize the possibility of getting sick.
Protection from insect bites
Many diseases are transmitted by insect bites. For example, malaria or dengue fever is passed on by mosquitoes. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you take appropriate measures to protect yourself, even if travel vaccinations are mandatory for certain countries.
Regularly use suitable sprays, ointments or creams to protect yourself from insect bites. A special tip: some anti-mosquito sprays can also be sprayed on clothing. This way you have a double protection against the little pests. They prevent not only the sting itself, which can be painful and annoying, but also a possible communicable disease.
Other measures include, for example, wearing loose clothing. This also applies to tropical or very warm vacation destinations. To protect yourself at night, you should always take long pajamas with you on your travels. A mosquito net is now standard equipment in most accommodations and hotels.
Food and drink
The quality of food and water in many countries in South America, Asia or Africa cannot be compared to that in Germany. Some rules should you on long-distance journeys into less developed countries thus always consider. This is how you can protect yourself against germs that cannot be vaccinated against at all.
- Do not drink water directly from the tap, wells or other dubious sources. You should also avoid ice cubes as far as possible. Water from tightly closed bottles (pay attention to worldwide brands!), on the other hand, is not problematic.
- Refrain from food , which is prepared unhygienically. You should also only consume food that is cooked or can be peeled (“Cook it, peel it or forget it”).
- If you are accommodated in a hotel or a vacation resort, you can of course consume the food and drinks offered there without hesitation.
Special case: Corona and the obligation to vaccinate when traveling
Since the 27. December 2020 it is also in Germany so far. Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 to be introduced nationwide. After months of intensive research and testing, the first vaccines have been approved in the USA, Europe and many other countries around the world. This will also have a lasting effect on our travel behavior.
First tour operators have already pointed out that the use of transportation and accommodation could only be possible with active vaccination protection. So it’s quite conceivable that certain types of travel and destinations will only be usable with a vaccination certificate or. will be achievable. Here is then a new mandatory vaccination for travel.
The Australian airline Qantas has already decided here. Those who want to fly to Australia in the future must accept the COVID 19 mandatory vaccination when traveling. If this is not present or the traveler does not wish to be vaccinated, entry could be denied.
We want to adjust our terms and conditions so that international travelers have to prove vaccination before they can board the plane […] I think this will be the case everywhere. I’m in discussion with my colleagues from airlines around the world and they’re all thinking about it […]. We are looking at whether there can be some kind of electronic vaccination certificate that proves which vaccination it is and whether the country you are traveling to accepts it.
Alan Joyce, head of the Australian airline Qantas in November 2020.
So it is quite conceivable that this proof of vaccination could be extended to many more areas, countries and travel activities. Particularly sensitive travel, such as cruises, long-distance travel or even strongholds of tourism will want to protect themselves as much as possible against another outbreak of a corona wave in the future.
But do not worry! Of course, our travel cancellation protection applies with regard to. an obligation to vaccinate when traveling even with corona protection. If, for example, unexpected and severe side effects or a vaccination intolerance occur, we will cover the costs of your trip cancellation.