Before you pack, make sure to get poked
Baby it’s cold outside and many Canadians are starting to plan their escape from the cold. As you prepare for vacation, a typical checklist might include passports, clothing and sunscreen, but you may be missing one very important item on your list — travel vaccines.
It’s important to protect yourself from diseases that may not be common in Canada but are in other countries. Vaccinations for travellers’ diarrhea, hepatitis A and B, and typhoid are all things you may need to consider.
What may be surprising to many is how easy it can be to get vaccinated. New research shows only 39 per cent of people are aware their local pharmacist can administer travel vaccines.
“Some travel vaccines can take several weeks to take effect, so it’s important to try and prepare four to six weeks in advance of your vacation,” explains Patricia Morris a pharmacist at Real Canadian Superstore.
“If your trip is sooner, pharmacists can still make recommendations for the best options to protect your health within the time available.”
In addition to recommending immunizations based on your destination, pharmacists can provide a current list of all the medications you need to take with you, ensure you have enough supply of your prescription medications, and identify any over-the-counter products you might need.
Tourists are also particularly susceptible to sunburn, rashes and insect bites. To make sure your travel preparation is on track, ask yourself these questions:
— What are the potential health risks in the country or countries I’m visiting?
— Do I have everything I need in case I get sick? (First aid kit, pain relievers, etc.)
— Do I have all my prescription medications?
— Am I up to date with vaccines and immunization?