There are many factors that need to be considered by you and your health care professional when assessing the need for vaccines and/or malaria medication.  The travel map is only a guide and not a replacement for professional health advice.  Be sure to speak to your doctor or visit a travel clinic at least 6-8 weeks before you travel.  Take along your full itinerary including areas that might be 'off the beaten track' so that your doctor can make the best assessment of your needs.

Vaccines may produce some undesirable side effects, such as a sore arm, fever, and pain and redness at the injection site. A range of other and more serious side effects may be experienced by individuals and may vary depending on the vaccine given. Completing a pre-immunisation checklist will help your doctor decide whether vaccination is appropriate for you. If you experience any side-effects, regardless of how minor the symptoms are, make sure you report them to your doctor.

It is worth remembering that the diseases prevented by vaccination can be very severe.  If you have any concerns about the side-effects of vaccines, speak to your doctor.

Like other medicines, malaria medication can cause some side effects. You may experience dizziness, loss of appetite, feeling sick (nausea) and/or being sick (vomiting), stomach pain, diarrhoea and skin reactions. Some side effects may be more serious and need medical attention.  Side effects can differ depending on the type of malaria medication prescribed.  If you experience any side-effects, regardless of how minor the symptoms are, make sure you report them to your doctor.

While no anti-malarial medicine is 100% effective, when taken as recommended, anti-malarial medicines can reduce the risk of contracting malaria and reduce the risk of serious disease. Most cases of malaria infection in travellers occurs because of not taking medication as prescribed, and failure to use precautionary measures in avoiding mosquito bites (through the use of repellents or insecticide treated bed nets).

Some common diseases such as hepatitis A, typhoid and diarrhoea are acquired by consuming water or food contaminated with a bacteria or virus, or through direct contact with an infected person.  Travellers to countries where food hygiene is inadequate should take care to avoid potentially contaminated food and water; some recommendations include:

• thoroughly boiling or cooking food and beverage items
• only using bottled water (the seal must be intact) to drink and brush teeth
• not putting ice in drinks
• avoiding uncooked food, including salads and fruit that cannot be peeled.

An easy way to remember what to avoid is: If you cannot boil it, cook it or peel it - forget it.