A recent survey of Irish consumers revealed that 70 per cent fail to get their travel vaccines before travelling. Tighter budgets may result in travel vaccines or travel insurance being pushed aside, due to a false belief they are an unnecessary expense. The consequences of a travel related illness can range from severe diarrhoea to more long term life threatening illnesses such as rabies.
The first step to a healthy, happy, trip is to make an appointment with your GP to discuss appropriate travel vaccines and medications or any booster vaccines which may be required.
A new website has been launched by Sanofi Pasteur MSD, www.healthytravel.ie, to coincide with the release of the survey results. The website contains information and advice on travel health and healthy travel practices as well as lists of useful checklists and contacts when travelling.
