SOME 70 per cent of Irish travellers fail to get their vaccines before travelling despite the fact that one in four admits to falling ill while on holiday, a new survey has revealed.
While 62 per cent of Irish consumers are aware of the dangers of tropical diseases, far too many forget or undervalue the importance of travel vaccines.
The Grafton Suite Travel Health Research 2010 survey conducted on behalf of Sanofi Pasteur MSD found that stomach bugs, diarrhoea and vomiting were the most commonly cited travel-related illness.
An alarming 92 per cent of those who didn’t get vaccinated before travelling said it was because they felt they would “be fine without them”. The other reasons given for not getting the appropriate vaccines included short stays, claiming “I never get sick” and lack of knowledge about the appropriate vaccines.
Despite the recession and current doom and gloom, Irish holidaymakers have been found to be one of the least likely among their European counterparts to holiday at home in 2010, according to Eurobarometer.
Prof Sam McConkey, head of the Department of International Health and Tropical Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, said that travel could be great fun but could also be associated with many health risks. He said he had seen many people who had acquired travel-related diseases when abroad such as hepatitis B and malaria.
The consequences of a travel-related illness can range from severe diarrhoea to more long-term life-threatening illnesses such as rabies. There are many illnesses Irish travellers need to be aware of as they’re not a threat here – rabies, yellow fever and typhoid.
“I recommend anybody thinking of travelling abroad to seek travel health advice before departure,” said Prof McConkey. “Do your research and source information on possible travel risks, what you can do to prevent tropical diseases or how to find the local hospital if in need of medical help.”
Travel writer and broadcaster Fionn Davenport has visited countries far and wide and knows of the dangers when not sufficiently prepared. “Travel-related illness can have serious consequences, so it is key to be prepared before you go. Avoid the risk of becoming ill and arrange a visit to your GP to discuss any health-related issues associated with your destination. Whatever the purpose of your trip, the last thing you want is for illness to disrupt it.”
