The height of summer, during preparations for a beautiful summer holiday abroad, is seldom a time when people think about the flu, but it is always worth asking your local pharmacy if it might be a good idea to get one before you set off.
For most people, the flu vaccine is something they only think about in late autumn or early winter each year, and even that is often only if they are eligible for it or have been strongly recommended by their doctor to get one.
Whilst influenza is often unpleasant, for most people it will typically get better after a few days of rest, fluids and over-the-counter painkillers to help soothe the aches and pains. An annual flu vaccine helps protect vulnerable people from the most common strains any given year.
However, there are some cases where a flu vaccine might be strongly recommended when you travel abroad, even if you may not otherwise qualify for the free vaccine on the NHS.
Here are some of the factors that might influence a recommendation to get a flu vaccine.
Medical History
Generally, if you qualify for a flu vaccine, you will likely be recommended to get one before you travel, especially if you are travelling during flu season.
These include people over the age of 65, pregnant people, very young children and people with asthma or another long-term medical condition that results in a weakened immune system.
Flu is commonly spread in airports due to significant numbers of people arriving from all over the world, as well as on flights themselves, if you are in close contact with infected passengers.
This means that if you are at risk of a serious flu infection, you may be recommended a flu vaccine before you travel. As it takes up to two weeks to take effect, get in touch with your pharmacy sooner rather than later.
Type Of Travel
The more likely you are to be in a crowd, a large queue or other concentrated group of people, the more likely your chances of contracting the flu become. In some cases, it may be suggested that you have a flu vaccine less to avoid serious illness and more to avoid disrupting your trip with a post-flight illness.
Outside of this, if you are travelling on a cruise or a large ferry, the large number of people there may also increase your risk of catching the flu, and it could be recommended even if it is not strictly required.
In some cases, long coach journeys or coach tours could increase your risk of the flu, but it may depend on the exact type of journey you are taking.
Travel Itinerary
If you are travelling to a highly populated event, which not only includes a cruise but also religious pilgrimages, music festivals or major sporting events, then there is also a risk of flu, and that should be taken into account when deciding to get a flu vaccine before travelling.
As well as this, if you are travelling to rural areas, living with local people away from medical facilities, the additional protection might also be strongly recommended, as it is for a lot of travel vaccinations, many of which also have some flu-like symptoms.
Destination
Whilst there is a chance to contract flu at any time of the year, it is most common during the winter months of the hemisphere you are travelling to.
If you remain in the Northern hemisphere, which includes anywhere north of the Equator, flu season tends to happen in the late autumn, winter and spring, often from October to May.
By contrast, in the Southern hemisphere, the flu season tends to take place in what we consider to be the summer months, which is typically May to October.
Tropical climates do not have a flu season; you can catch it all year round, and it may be worth getting vaccinated alongside other travel inoculations if possible.
An important point to note when it comes to destinations is that the flu vaccine can vary depending on the hemisphere you are in, as there are different common strains in different parts of the world.
If you are travelling to the Southern hemisphere, to South America, central and southern Africa, south east Asia and Oceania, then it may be difficult to get the right flu vaccine before you travel.
If this is the case, your doctor might instead recommend that you get a flu vaccine shortly after landing at your destination to maximise your protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The injectable flu vaccine contains inactivated virus particles and cannot cause influenza. Some people experience mild side effects such as a sore arm, tiredness, or a low-grade fever, which are signs that the immune system is responding to the vaccine.
The effectiveness of the flu vaccine varies each year depending on how closely it matches circulating flu strains. Even when it does not completely prevent infection, it significantly reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation, and complications from influenza.
Yes. Flu viruses change regularly, and vaccine formulations are updated annually to provide protection against the most likely circulating strains. Annual vaccination is recommended to maintain the best possible protection.