Do not forget to get vaccinations before teaching English abroad, says expert

Posted 30 Jun 2010

Many Britons travelling abroad, including those moving to a foreign country to teach English, are putting their health at risk by not getting vaccinated before they go.

According to LV= Insurance, 26 per cent of holidaymakers travelling in the last 12 months did not get injections to prevent illnesses such as Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and Typhoid.

The main reason for this was because holidaymakers did not bother to get any medical advice before they left the UK and were unaware of the risks.

Emma Holyer, spokesperson for the insurance provider, said: "The reality is that if holidaymakers ignore recommended vaccinations, they increase their likelihood of catching something serious, and it really isn’t worth the risk."

Getting ill abroad can lead to costly health bills as well as ruin a holiday, she added.

Ms Holyer advised those planning to go abroad to conduct research into the intended destination as some places do not require vaccinations.

Furthermore it is wise to get advice from a medical professional a few weeks or months in advance of the trip, she added.

Category: Moving Abroad