How far in advance to get travel vaccinations?

4/10/2012 3:22:10 PM

Hep A vaccine is generally given as two shots at 0- and 6- months. Hep B vaccine is generally given as three shots, at 0-, 1-, and 6-months. The A/B combo vaccine Twinrix also follow the same schedule as the Hep B vaccine. You aren’t fully covered for the normal vaccine duration unless you complete the schedule.

(There are accelerated dosage schedules if you have a real need for the vaccines, like working in a high risk area, but these are the normal schedules.)

So, you really have two options:

  1. Start the series more than 6 months before your travels, and have it all done in advance.
  2. Start the series at least one month before your travels, so you at least get the first and second Hep B shots.
9/12/2019 9:30:48 AM

The advice to get vaccinated 3-4 weeks prior to traveling should be read as “at least 3-4 weeks prior”. Typically, it takes your body’s immune system a little while to respond to the vaccine by creating antibodies. Thus, if you travel immediately after getting a vaccination, you may still be vulnerable to those infections.

In the case of hepatitis vaccine the protection it affords will last 10 years. So getting it a bit sooner than 4 weeks prior to travel is a non-issue. I’ve never heard of a traveler-oriented vaccine that doesn’t afford at least 3 years protection.

So, in summary, if it is more convenient to get your vaccinations 6 months prior to travel, then go right ahead. Just keep track of the duration of their effectiveness for future travels. You’ll need to ‘top them up’ sooner then otherwise as a consequence.

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

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Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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