Read This Before You Travel Abroad

Reader Question: Do I need the TWINRIX vaccine if I go to Jamaica?

One of the most frequent questions I get in the Ask a Question section of Proven Health Ways is:  How do I stay healthy when traveling abroad?

Strategies to protect your health while traveling include vaccinations, avoiding times of political unrest or violence, protection from infection from insect bites, and food/water cautions. Some vaccines need at least 4-6 weeks to work well, so it is important to plan ahead.

One excellent resource for information about travelling anywhere in the world is the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website. Go to www.cdc.gov, click on “Travelers’ Health” and then “Destinations” to see what is recommended for your planned destination.  Then call your primary care provider or travel clinic to see how you can get the vaccines you need.

As to the reader’s specific question: Yes, TWINRIX (a combined vaccine for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B) would be a good idea before travelling to Jamaica, either in the usual schedule of 0, 1 and 6 months, or an an accelerated schedule of 0, 7 and 21 days (and a booster at 1 year).