Monday March 10 marks Commonwealth Day, which will be celebrated across the Commonwealth, comprising 56 independent countries, inhabited by 2.7 billion people. Encompassing some of the richest and poorest countries in the world, the Commonwealth also features countries in which diseases are rife. Holiday or business trip planning for travel to many of these nations often requires travel vaccination or antimalarial treatments.
The Commonwealth spans the continents of Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific, so the requirement for travel vaccinations and malaria medications should not be a surprise. Many of the UK travellers heading to countries such as Bangladesh or Pakistan will be visiting friends and family. Being aware of the travel health risks is imperative for these travellers, as they can also be staying overseas for a longer period of time than typically spent by a holidaymaker or business traveller.
Vaccinations when visiting Commonwealth friends and family
For those travelling to Bangladesh, it is important to ensure that all primary courses and boosters recommended for those living in Britain are up to date. Beyond that, courses or boosters specifically advised for Bangladesh travel are diptheria, hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid. Consideration should also be given to vaccination against hepatitis B and rabies. But how do you decide if these are necessary?
This same quandary and similar vaccinations are required for those heading back to visit friends and family in Pakistan. And, for both Bangladesh and Pakistan there is a requirement for travellers to have yellow fever certification, if they have travelled in, or transited through, a country in which yellow fever is transmitted.
But what about those holidaying in a Commonwealth country? Is there really a travel vaccination requirement for those simply spending time on a Commonwealth beach, exploring a renowned tourist area or exploring the natural environment?
If you examine some popular holiday destinations in the Commonwealth, the answer could be ‘yes’. Here are just a few examples.
Fiji
Whilst the island of Fiji experiences no yellow fever transmission, there is a requirement for travellers to have a yellow fever certificate, which is provided following vaccination against the disease. This is needed if they have travelled from a country where there is transmission, or transited through such a country, for example by spending time in an airport for 12 hours or more. This requirement exists for anyone over the age of one year. Most travellers to Fiji need to have been vaccinated against tetanus but there are also five other vaccinations to consider. Furthermore, there are diseases against which there is no vaccination, or only a vaccine that is rarely given.
Tanzania
Again, there is a yellow fever certification requirement here, for those arriving from a country where the disease exists. Most travellers require vaccination against hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid but some travellers need one of seven other vaccinations. Knowing whether that is you is again not terribly clear, if you simply reference most of the online information available about travel health. Malaria is another prevalent health risk in Tanzania, with a high risk of suffering this disease in all locations below 1800 metres. But is that where you will be?
St Lucia
This Caribbean island is a real magnet for holidaymakers. Here, the yellow fever certification requirement for certain travellers also exists but applies to anyone over nine months of age. Most travellers also need a tetanus vaccination.
Jamaica
Jamaica is one of the most popular islands for Brits and most will need a hepatitis A vaccination and a tetanus vaccination.
Sri Lanka
The lovely island of Sri Lanka, with its rich cultural heritage and glorious beaches, can be a real draw but yellow fever certification is again required for those who have travelled in or through a country in which the disease exists. Most travellers also need a tetanus vaccination.
Rwanda
Visit Rwanda has an ongoing publicity campaign in the UK, but if you take up that invitation, you will need to probably arrange hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus vaccinations before departing. Here again, however, there are six other vaccinations that ‘might’ be required. Getting to the bottom of what ‘might’ means can be extremely difficult. There is also a high risk of malaria to factor into travel health planning.
India
If the Taj Mahal is calling you, you need to do some very strong travel health planning. In October 2024, India reported an increase in insect and mosquito-spread illnesses, including dengue. There are also some better known and lesser-known diseases to consider, from Japanese Encephalitis to Kyasanur Forest Disease. Travel vaccination protection does not exist for all of these but it is essential to consider those vaccinations that are available for health protection. The yellow fever certification requirement is extended here. If a traveller has been travelling or transiting in a country that has yellow fever transmission in the previous 30 days, it is important to have a certificate of vaccination. This requirement covers those who have been on a ship in a port, so those cruising need to take particular note.
India is a vast country and outbreaks of diseases can be confined to certain regions. Similarly, some are only found in particular areas. Extensive travel health planning should be undertaken for any India trip.
Providing clarity over travel vaccinations and antimalarials
So how can you carry out such travel health planning with any degree of clarity. How can you deduce whether you need a travel vaccination that ‘most’ travellers require or are amongst the group of travellers who ‘might’ require another? And what if you have an extensive itinerary, either through backpacking or because you are on a cruise?
Until recently, it was all a little difficult to know. Now, however, the Pinpoint Travel Health service provides the help and clarity you may be seeking. Using software that is continually updated, and which takes the latest date from authorities like the World Health Organisation, Pinpoint Travel Health can help you generate a completely personalised travel health planning report.
By giving the system a few details about the trip, the locations to which you might travel, activities that are going to be undertaken and your own health record, you can quickly be furnished with a Travel Health Brief. This takes all the information you provide, maps your trip against all the health scenarios you might encounter and factors in things such as the month of travel.
Most importantly, it narrows the travel health risk right down to the village in which you will be spending your time, assessing what the risk of contracting a disease or malaria is for you, as an individual, in that pinpointed location. The system will also assess whether vaccinations or antimalarials could have contraindications, according to your existing medications, and consider whether vaccination is right for you and your health conditions.
Armed with this report, you can take the right decisions and also save time when you head to a travel clinic at which the vaccination will be administered. Suggestions of the nearest clinics are also provided in the Pinpoint Travel Health Brief.
Knowing what vaccinations you really need, and which you do not, is of great value, no matter where you travel across the Commonwealth. Order your Pinpoint Travel Health Brief today and take the guesswork out of travel health planning.