Travel Vaccinations: A Basic Guide

Some travelers cannot imagine visiting faraway countries without topping up their travel vaccinations. Other travelers do not even think about vaccinations when planning their trips. But whatever your situation, it helps to get informed about vaccination requirements and recommendations in advance.

In this guide, moneyland.ch gives you an overview of required and recommended vaccinations by country, and gives you useful tips for saving money and avoiding unpleasant surprises.

When are vaccinations required?

There are countries that require visitors to be vaccinated against certain illnesses in order to enter the country. A yellow fever vaccination is the most commonly required inoculation. Some countries require all visitors to show proof of vaccination, regardless of where they visit from. Other countries only require it if you live in a country where there is a significant risk of contracting an illness, or are transiting from one.

The interactive map below gives you an overview of countries with vaccination requirements.

It is important to note that certain vaccinations may only be required for travel to specific parts of a country, or when visiting for a specific reason. The vaccination requirements for meningitis and polio sometimes fall into this category.

The map below gives you an overview of recommended vaccinations and prophylactics for travel to a country, or a specific region within a country.

Should I get vaccinated before leaving on my trip?

As a general rule, getting required vaccinations early on is beneficial. Airlines may require you to show proof of vaccination before you fly, and getting last-minute shots at airport medical centers is often expensive - if they are available at all.

When you travel to a country by land, you will be required to show proof of mandatory vaccinations at the border. If you cannot, you may not be able to enter the country. In some cases, vaccinations may be available at the border post, but depending on the country and border post, the hygiene may not be up to Swiss standards.

By getting vaccinated early on before you travel, you avoid the risk of losing your flight or having to pay last-minute prices at the airport. You also benefit from familiar Swiss medical standards. If you have a family doctor or go-to medical center, you benefit from dealing with a medical professional who is familiar with your overall health situation.

Does Swiss health insurance cover travel vaccinations?

Basic vaccinations that are recommended for all residents of Switzerland are covered by basic, compulsory Swiss health insurance. But certain travel vaccinations are not.

Many supplementary health insurance plans include cover for travel vaccinations. If you have supplementary health insurance, it is worth checking if it includes this cover. You can find a detailed overview in the guide to health insurance cover for vaccinations.

If you regularly get vaccinations before traveling, it may be worth getting supplementary insurance with substantial cover for vaccinations. You can compare offers using the interactive outpatient insurance comparison. Just select the vaccinations filter to limit the comparison to offers that cover inoculations.

More on this topic:
Swiss health insurance: Cover for travel outside of Switzerland
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