Stay up to date with vaccinations

​​​​​​Vaccination is important to protect you against diseases.

You should be up to date with all routine vaccinations on the NSW immunisation schedule.

Reducing your risk while overseas

Some travel-associated diseases can be prevented by vaccination.

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your travel plans early so they can give advice. This is because vaccines take some time (usually 2-4 weeks, but up to 6-8 weeks for some vaccines) to provide protection.
• Check what vaccines are recommended for certain areas or travellers. This includes vaccines against typhoid, hepatitis A or rabies. You may also need yellow fever and polio vaccinations, or proof of immunity, for travel to or from certain countries.
• Check if booster doses of any routine vaccinations are recommended before you travel. This includes diphtheria, tetanus, and polio.
• Check you have received two doses of the measles vaccine if you were born during or after 1966. If you haven’t, get vaccinated before you travel – the vaccine is free in NSW, but some providers may charge a fee for consultation or to administer the vaccine.
• Discuss travel plans with your GP if your child is aged 6-18 months and is going to areas at high risk for measles. The measles vaccine schedule can be adjusted
• If you are travelling to the northern hemisphere during their winter flu season (usually October to May) you can receive a second flu shot within the same year. Read the Australian Government’s Immunisation Handbook for current flu vaccination recommendations.
  
• Check you are up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations for all overseas travel.
  
• If you are travelling with a child under 5 years old to a country where TB is common, your child should get the BCG vaccine. Apply for the BCG vaccine.
  
• Get your mandatory meningococcal and COVID-19 vaccinations as a pilgrim to the Hajj.

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