Your health and the Hajj
Dit blog is gepubliceerd op 8 november 2019
Your health and the hajj or umrah: this is how to stay healthy during your trip
Good physical health is one of the prerequisites for participating in the hajj. To ensure that you stay healthy during and after the hajj, it is wise to take some precautions. Some precautions, such as getting certain vaccinations, are also a prerequisite for making the hajj. In this blog, we will tell you more about which vaccinations you need, why they are important and when to get them.
What are the health risks during the hajj?
The hajj is not without danger. First of all, temperatures can reach 50⁰C, posing an elevated risk of sunstroke, dehydration or sunburn. In addition, the large crowds bring several risks. During the hajj, many people gather together, allowing diseases to spread easily and quickly.
You can reduce your chances of getting sick in several ways, such as paying close attention to hygiene and protecting yourself from the sun and heat. Preventive measures include:
- Drink plenty of water and take ORS (oral rehydration solution) with you. This is a solution of water with sugar and salts that you use to replenish fluid loss due to the heat. This reduces the risk of dehydration.
- Protection from the sun. To avoid sunstroke, bring a (white) parasol. Also remember to use sunscreen with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor).
- Keeping hands clean. Wash them more often than usual and take a disinfectant cream or hand gel to kill bacteria. Try to avoid contact with animals. If contact with animals cannot be avoided, for example during a slaughtering ritual? Then disinfect your hands thoroughly afterwards.
- A mouth mask to reduce the risk of respiratory infections.
If you are going to have your head shaved bring your own razor blades and replace them after each use. When shaving, never use a blade that has already been used by someone else. Sharing razor blades increases the risk of infection with blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. You can get vaccinated against hepatitis B. There are also vaccinations for other diseases you can contract during the hajj.
What vaccinations do I need for the hajj?
Some vaccinations are a prerequisite for participating in the hajj, while others are recommended. Which vaccinations you do or do not take should be carefully considered.
Obligatory vaccinations for participation in hajj
Vaccination against meningitis (inflammation of the brain) is obligatory for everyone over the age of two. This requirement is imposed by the government of Saudi Arabia. It covers meningitis types A, C, W135 and Y. The meningitis ACYW135 vaccination protects you against meningococcal disease. This disease can lead to meningitis or blood poisoning, which can quickly lead to shock with fatal consequences.
For children under 1 year of age, the ACYW135 vaccination schedule consists of several vaccinations. For adults and children older than 1 year, one vaccination is sufficient. This vaccination is valid for five years and must be administered at least 10 days before the start of hajj. How long the vaccination actually protects against meningitis is still uncertain. It is assumed that protection lasts about 3-5 years.
Recommended vaccinations for the hajj or umrah
Besides the obligatory vaccinations, there are some other vaccinations we recommend getting before your trip. To reduce the risk of contracting diseases during the hajj, we recommend you also get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus and polio (DTP). The DTP vaccination is included in the national vaccination programme and provides protection for 10 years. A booster vaccination is usually not necessary for children, but for adults we recommend a booster vaccination in most cases. If you have any questions about this, feel free to book an appointment. We will be happy to give you advice based on your personal circumstances.
As mentioned earlier, it is recommended to bring your own razors if you want to shave your head. If this is not done safely, you run the risk of contracting hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. You can get vaccinated against hepatitis B, but not against hepatitis C and HIV.
For all obligatory and recommended vaccinations for the hajj or umrah, you can book an appointment with us. Feel free to drop by for a personal consultation or ask about the possibilities of being vaccinated at your location. Hajj Mabrour!
Tuberculosis
What is tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium. The bacteria can be anywhere in the body. The incubation period is eight weeks to a lifetime and about one in 10 people become ill. Pulmonary tuberculosis is the most common type and can cause the following symptoms:
- Coughing;
- Mucus when coughing, sometimes with blood;
- Reduced appetite;
- Fatigue;
- Fever;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Night sweats.
How do you get tuberculosis?
A person with open TB can transmit the bacteria by coughing. We call it open TB when a person has the bacteria in his or her lungs.
What can you do to prevent tuberculosis?
In specific cases, you can be vaccinated against tuberculosis. Other than that, avoid people who cough and poorly ventilated rooms. If tuberculosis is suspected or at increased risk, we can perform a screening for tuberculosis. We perform a tuberculosis screening by means of a skin test (Mantoux). We advise travellers to get checked for tuberculosis in the following cases:
- If you spend more than three months in high-risk areas;
- If you regularly take short trips to high-risk areas;
- When you think you have been exposed to tuberculosis (in local public transport, while staying with locals or through contact with sick, coughing people).
Tuberculosis vaccination information
There is a vaccine against tuberculosis. This tuberculosis vaccination is only administered in specific cases and this can only be done at the tuberculosis service of the GGD. At vaccinatiecentrum.nl you can have a tuberculosis test done eight weeks after your trip. This will tell you whether you contracted tuberculosis during your trip.
What does a tuberculosis test cost?
The Mantoux test for a possible tuberculosis infection is in most cases covered by your supplementary health insurance. For more information on costs, please visit our prices page.
Questions or schedule an appointment?
Do you have questions or would you like to book an appointment for a tuberculosis test? Use the button below, email us at info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl or call 085-9020303.
Japanese Encefalitis
Japanese Encephalitis
What is Japanese encephalitis?
Japanese encephalitis is a viral infection caused by a flavivirus. The first symptoms often appear within five to 15 days. In most people, infection causes no or mild symptoms. These are mainly flu-like symptoms with muscle pain and headache. In a small number of cases, the infection develops into meningitis, which can cause seizures and coma. This can eventually lead to a person’s death.
How do you get Japanese encephalitis?
Japanese encephalitis is not transmissible from human to human but spreads through the bite of a mosquito. The only mosquito that can transmit the disease is the culex mosquito. This mosquito is mainly found in the rice fields of South and East Asia and is active between sunset and sunrise.
What can you do to prevent Japanese encephalitis?
You can be vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis. Besides vaccination, it is important to take good mosquito precautions when travelling in high-risk areas. These include wearing clothing that covers you, applying a mosquito repellent such as DEET and sleeping under an (impregnated) mosquito net. Depending on your destination, how long you will stay in a high-risk area and the season in which you will travel, the risk of contracting Japanese encephalitis varies. Based on your travel plans, we will be happy to give you personal advice.
What protection does the Japanese encephalitis vaccination offer?
The vaccination against Japanese encephalitis consists of two doses. The second shot is given between one to four weeks after the first shot. The vaccination provides two years of protection. A booster after that gives ten years of protection.
How much will a Japanese encephalitis vaccination cost?
If you have (Dutch) supplementary health insurance, a Japanese encephalitis vaccination is in most cases covered by your health insurance. For more information on prices, please visit our prices page.
Questions or schedule an appointment?
Do you have questions or would you like to book an appointment for a personal (travel)consultation? Use the button below, email us at info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl or call 085-9020303.
Meningococcal disease
Meningococcal disease
What is Meningococcal disease?
Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria called neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus). Several types of this bacterium exist. The bacterium can cause several diseases which are then called meningococcal disease. People can carry the bacteria in the nose without becoming ill themselves. The bacteria can cause a severe infection when it spreads deeper into the body. The disease worsens quickly and often starts with a cold and a flu-like feeling. After this, the symptoms quickly get worse and the individual develops a high fever. If the bacteria continue to spread to the bloodstream or nervous system, it can cause blood poisoning or meningitis. The first symptoms often appear one to three days after infection.
How do you get Meningococcal disease?
The meningococcal bacteria are transmitted from person to person via aerosols (droplets in the air). Even people who do not become ill themselves can carry the bacteria for a long time. These people are contagious even without symptoms.
What can you do to prevent Meningococcal disease?
You can be vaccinated against meningococcal disease. There are several vaccines that protect against different types of meningococcal disease. Based on your destination and health, we will be happy to give you personalised advice.
From what age can you get the meningococcal vaccination?
Since 2002, 14-month-old babies in the Netherlands receive the vaccination against meningococcal C through the National Vaccination Programme. In 2018, this switched to a combination vaccine against meningococcal A, C, W135 and Y.
Adults and the elderly can also get the meningococcal disease vaccine. At vaccinatiecentrum.nl, you can get the meningococcal B vaccination and the meningococcal A, C, W135 and Y vaccination.
What protection does the Meningococcal vaccination offer?
The meningococcal B vaccination, for anyone over two years old, consists of two doses that must be at least one month apart. For children under two years of age, this is three or four doses, depending on exact age. How long this vaccination provides protection is not yet known.
The vaccination against meningococcal A, C, W135 and Y consists of one shot. Depending on which vaccine is given, the protection will last for five or ten years. For people going on Hadj/Umrah, the validity of the vaccine is always five years.
What are the side effects of a Meningococcal vaccination?
A meningococcal vaccination may cause side effects. For example, the injection site may be painful, red or swollen. After the vaccination, you may feel unwell temporarily.
Fever is common after meningococcal B vaccination. Children younger than two years can get a high fever, especially if other vaccinations were given at the same time. You can reduce the risk of fever by taking or giving your child paracetamol beforehand.
The meningococcal A, C, W135 and Y vaccination, in addition to the side effects around the injection site mentioned above, can also cause fever and drowsiness.
How much will a Meningococcal vaccination cost?
The vaccine against meningococcal B is not in the National Vaccination Programme and is reimbursed by health insurers in some exceptions. The meningococcal A, C, W135 and Y vaccine is offered to children aged 14 months and 14 years as part of the National Vaccination Programme. At other ages, the costs are at your own expense.
If you have supplementary insurance in the Netherlands, an meningococcal vaccination is in most cases covered by your health insurance. Check with your health insurer whether the vaccination is (partially) covered.
For more information on the prices, please visit our prices page.
Questions or schedule an appointment?
For anyone over two years old, there should be at least one month between the two doses of the meningococcal B vaccine. Below this age, the vaccine consists of three or four doses. Therefore, book an appointment well in advance if you want to get the vaccination before travelling.
Do you have questions or would you like to book an appointment for a personal (travel)consultation? Use the button below, email us at info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl or call 085-9020303.
Please note!
The vaccination against meningococcal B is generally available within a few days but is not always in stock at every location. Please contact us by phone before your appointment.
Hepatitis B
What is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver that occurs all over the world. Usually, a person becomes ill 2 to 3 months after infection. Symptoms are often mild or completely absent. When a person does develop symptoms, they often include fatigue, fever and jaundice. In a small number of cases, hepatitis B causes serious complications that can be life-threatening. In a small number of people, the disease does not cure on its own. In these cases, the infection with hepatitis B becomes chronic. When the disease is chronic, it can affect the liver in the long term and cause liver cirrhosis and liver fibrosis.
How do you get hepatitis B?
The hepatitis B virus can be found in semen, pre-ejaculate, vaginal fluid and the blood of an infected person. This makes the virus transmissible through sexual contact or contact with blood from an infected person. The virus can also be transmitted from mother to child at birth. Contamination can occur even by a small amount of infected blood in a wound(s). Also consider tattooing, piercing or other medical/beauty treatments. If instruments are not cleaned or replaced properly between clients, this can also cause contamination. The risk of this is higher in countries with poor sanitation.
What can you do to prevent hepatitis B?
To protect yourself against hepatitis B, you can be vaccinated. It is also wise to wear a condom during sex. This will also protect you against HIV and other STIs. Always think carefully about medical or cosmetic (tattoos or piercings) treatments in places with poor sanitation. Based on your destination and health, we will be happy to give you personal advice.
What protection does the hepatitis B vaccination offer?
The hepatitis B vaccination consists of three shots. You receive the second vaccination one month after the first and the third dose is given six to 12 months after the first. After the vaccinations, you are protected for life.
If you are vaccinated because you are at an occupational risk (for example, for a job in healthcare), you often also have to have a blood check for your employer. This happens a month after the last vaccination. For travellers, this is not necessary.
If you are vaccinated against hepatitis B, you can also opt for a combination vaccine. This vaccine offers protection against both hepatitis A and B. Depending on your needs, we will be happy to give you personalised advice.
How much will a hepatitis B vaccination cost?
In some cases, a hepatitis B vaccination is covered by your basic health insurance. For this, you must meet a number of conditions. Do you want to get the vaccination because you are travelling? Then in most cases the vaccination is covered by your supplementary health insurance. For more information on our prices, please visit our prices page.
Questions or schedule an appointment?
Keep in mind that there is a total of six to 12 months between doses of the vaccine. Do you choose a combined vaccine with hepatitis A? Then there is at least one month between the first and second dose and 5 months between the second and third dose. Therefore, book an appointment well in advance if you want to get the vaccination because you will be traveling (whether or not to a high-risk area).
Do you have questions or would you like to book an appointment for a personal (travel)consultation? Use the button below, email us at info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl or call 085-9020303.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A
What is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. The time between infection and getting sick is about 28 days. Children usually do not get sick, adults often do. The symptoms of hepatitis A start with fever, lack of appetite, nausea and abdominal pain. After a few days, the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow, the urine is tea-coloured and the stool is the colour of putty. These symptoms persist for about two weeks. Recovery can take months, which includes complaints such as fatigue and lethargy.
How do you get hepatitis A?
The virus is found in the faeces of an infected person. If traces of contaminated faeces end up on food or in drinking water, a person who eats or drinks this food can become infected. Hepatitis A can also be transmitted through contaminated door handles, taps and towels. Hepatitis A is prevalent on many popular holiday destinations. This does not always have to be far away. For example, Morocco, Egypt and Turkey are popular holiday destinations where hepatitis A is prevalent.
What can you do to prevent hepatitis A?
You can be vaccinated against hepatitis A. It is also important to wash your hands properly and regularly. Based on your destination and health, we will be happy to give you personal advice.
What protection does the hepatitis A vaccination offer?
The hepatitis A vaccine consists of a series of two shots. After the first vaccination, you are protected for one year. After the second shot, you are protected for 40 years.
If you are vaccinated against hepatitis A, you can also opt for a combination vaccine. This vaccine gives protection against both hepatitis A and B. Depending on your wishes, we will be happy to give you personalised advice.
How much will a hepatitis A vaccination cost?
In some cases, a hepatitis A vaccination is covered by basic health insurance. For this, you must meet a number of conditions. Check this with your health insurance company.
Do you want to get the vaccination because you are going on a trip? Then in most cases this vaccination will be covered by your supplementary health insurance.
For more information on the price of a vaccination, please visit our prices page.
Questions or schedule an appointment?
Are you opting for a combination vaccine of hepatitis A and B? Then keep in mind that there should be at least one month between the two vaccinations. Book an appointment well in advance if you want to get the vaccination because you are going to travel (whether or not to a high-risk area).
Do you have questions or would you like to book an appointment for a personal (travel)consultation? Use the button below, email us at info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl or call 085-9020303.
Yellow fever
Yellow Fever
What is yellow fever?
Yellow fever is a tropical disease caused by a virus. Yellow fever is only found in certain regions of Africa and South America. In the Netherlands, there is no chance of a yellow fever outbreak because the yellow fever mosquito is not found here. Most people do not develop symptoms after infection with the yellow fever virus. Among those who do develop symptoms, the severity of symptoms can vary widely. A mild course often involves flu-like symptoms. In a severe course, the infected person develops high fever and bleeding. About 20-50% of the people who develop symptoms die.
How do you get yellow fever?
The yellow fever virus is transmitted by the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes mosquitos). When the mosquito stings a carrier of the virus (human or animal), the mosquito can become infected. Then, with subsequent stings, the mosquito can infect other people or animals. Yellow fever disease is found only in countries where the yellow fever mosquito is common. Aedes-mosquitos are active during from dawn till dusk.
What can you do to prevent yellow fever?
You can be vaccinated against yellow fever. In general it is also important to take the proper anti-mosquito measures. These include wearing clothing that covers you, applying a mosquito repellent such as DEET and sleeping under an (impregnated) mosquito net. Based on your destination and health, we will be happy to give you personal advice.
What are the side effects of a yellow fever vaccination?
The yellow fever vaccine is a live-attenuated virus vaccine and therefore has a bit more side effects than other vaccines. Between five to ten days after vaccination, you may experience fever, headache and drowsiness. Pregnant women and elderly people (>60 years old) in particular are more likely to experience side effects. Based on your personal situation, we will assess whether you can receive the yellow fever vaccine.
What protection does the yellow fever vaccination offer?
The vaccination consists of one dose and provides lifelong protection. For some destinations or situations, a yellow fever vaccination is obligatory. During the consultation, we will check whether this is the case for your destination(s).
How much will a yellow fever vaccination cost?
If you have supplementary health insurance, a yellow fever vaccination is covered by your health insurance in most cases. For more information, please visit our prices page.
Questions or schedule an appointment?
If a yellow fever vaccination is a prerequisite to enter the country you are travelling to, it must be given at least 10 days before departure. Therefore, make sure you book your yellow fever vaccination appointment on time.
Do you have questions or would you like to book an appointment for a personal (travel)consultation? Use the button below, email us at info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl or call 085-9020303.
Tick-borne encephalitis (FSME/TBE)
What is tick-borne encephalitis?
Tick-borne encephalitis, also known as FSME or TBE, is caused by a virus transmitted by a tick. The virus can cause severe meningitis.
The severity and duration of symptoms can vary between individuals. Two-thirds of people who contract FSME/TBE have no or only mild symptoms (stage 1). In a third of cases, the disease exacerbates to stage 2:
Stage 1:
The characteristics of this stage resemble flu-like symptoms. These can occur 2 to 28 days after the tick bite, usually between 7 to 14 days after the bite.
Common symptoms may include:
- Feeling unwell;
- (Mild) fever;
- Fatigue;
- Muscle and joint pain;
- Headache;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
Stage 2:
A third of people do not get better after stage 1. In these individuals, the disease progresses to stage 2. In this case, a person appears to get better but symptoms reappear after 1 to 21 days. In this stage, the central nervous system is affected and one may develop encephalitis, meningitis or spinal meningitis. At this point, it is imperative that the person is admitted to a hospital.
Stage 2 may include the following common symptoms:
- (High) fever;
- Severe headache;
- Impaired movement (ataxia);
- Muscle and joint pain;
- Intolerance to light;
- Paralysis and nerve damage;
- Reduced consciousness, drowsiness and disorientation;
- Cognitive impairment;
- Sleep disorders;
- Hearing problems;
- Swallowing and speech problems;
- Vision problems;
- Cramping;
- Vertigo;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhoea;
- Trembling of the arms and legs;
- Neck pain and stiffness;
- Imbalance;
- Personality and behavioural changes;
- sensory overload;
- Fatigue;
- Emotional lability, anxiety and depression;
- Autonomic dysregulation;
- In rare cases epilepsy, seizures and coma.
Men and people aged over 50 are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill.
In addition, ticks transmit several other viruses. You may contract multiple infections from one tick bite, such as Lyme disease and FSME/TBE. In that case, FSME/TBE may be more severe.
How do you get tick-borne encephalitis?
The virus that causes tick-borne encephalitis is transmitted by ticks. A person can be infected if he or she is bitten by a tick carrying the virus. Any activity in nature carries the risk of a tick bite. The risk is greatest during activities amid trees, in bushes or grass. Examples of high-risk activities include hiking, cycling, camping and picnicking. In the Netherlands, ticks carrying the tick-borne encephalitis virus are very rare. There are parts of Europe and Asia where the risk of tick-borne encephalitis is such that it is recommended to get vaccinated. We do see that the area with TBE is shifting towards the Netherlands. So it will become more and more common.
What can you do to prevent tick-borne encephalitis?
Besides vaccination, you can also take other preventive measures. For instance, it is recommended to wear clothes that cover you as much as possible. Also cover your ankles; when walking through grass fields, a tick can still bite you if your ankles are exposed. Apply an insect repellent such as DEET.
The measures mentioned above do not provide 100% protection. For this reason, it is important, especially when you are in a high-risk area, to check for tick bites every day. If you are bitten by a tick, remove it as soon as possible. Always contact a doctor if you develop symptoms.
What protection does the tick-borne encephalitis vaccination offer?
The FSME/TBE vaccine is given in a series of three shots spread over a minimum of six months. After this basic series, you are protected against the FSME/TBE virus for three years.
If you are travelling to a high-risk area but your TBE vaccination was more than three years ago you can get a booster vaccination with the same vaccine. One booster vaccination then gives you another five years of protection against the FSME/TBE virus. If you are over 60 years old, the booster will only give you three years of protection.
Please note! This vaccine does not protect against other viruses that ticks can transmit.
What are the side effects of a tick-borne encephalitis vaccination?
The tick-borne encephalitis vaccination may cause mild side effects. For example, the injection site may be painful, red or swollen. Some people experience headache, muscle pain, fever, swollen lymph nodes and nausea after the vaccination.
How much will a tick-borne encephalitis vaccination cost?
If you have supplementary health insurance, a tick-borne encephalitis vaccination will in some cases be covered by your health insurance. Check with your health insurance company whether the vaccination is (partially) covered. For more information on costs, please visit our prices page.
Questions or schedule an appointment?
Have you not had a tick-borne encephalitis vaccination before? In that case, keep in mind that there is at least six months between the three vaccinations. Therefore, book an appointment well in advance if you want to get the vaccination because you will be travelling (whether or not to a high-risk area).
Do you have questions or would you like to book an appointment for a personal (travel)consultation? Use the button below, email us at info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl or call 085-9020303.
Diphtheria, Whooping cough, Tetanus and Polio
The DTP vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and polio. The vaccine is often recommended for travellers visiting certain countries. The protection typically lasts for ten years. Whether you need a booster dose depends on your vaccination history and travel destination.
What is the DTP-vaccine?
The DTP-vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and polio.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that spreads from person to person. An infected person can spread the bacteria through coughing and sneezing (airborne droplets), but the bacteria can also spread through physical contact, such as contact with open wounds or kissing. Symptoms of diphtheria can be mild, but in some cases the infection can be deadly.
Tetanus is an infection caused by bacteria that can enter the body through broken skin, such as an open wound. Risk factors include wounds caused by animal bites or open wounds that come into contact with dirt or soil. Tetanus can cause severe muscle spasms.
Polio is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. While most infections are mild or have no symptoms, severe cases can cause muscle paralysis and may even lead to death. The virus spreads mostly by eating contaminated food and from person to person primarily through the fecal–oral route, and less commonly through airborne droplets or direct physical contact.
The DTP-vaccine protects you against these three infectious diseases.
What is the duration of immunisation?
Protection from the DTP vaccine usually lasts for ten years. It protects against diphtheria and tetanus during this period. Most people already have lifelong immunity to polio through their childhood immunisation programme and only need one booster dose. If you were not vaccinated as a child, the vaccination course consists of three doses given over a period of seven months.
When is vaccination needed?
Vaccination against DTP is recommended for many (sub)tropical countries. For some countries, a recent polio vaccination is mandatory. You can check which countries require a DTP vaccine in our list of travel destinations.
What is the difference between DTP, DKT, and DKTP?
The difference between these vaccines is the specific diseases they protect against. For most travel destinations, a DTP vaccine is recommended. The DKT vaccine offers protection not only against diphtheria and tetanus, but also against ‘kinkhoest’, which is Dutch for pertussis, or whooping cough. Whooping cough is a contagious respiratory infection that is mainly dangerous for infants. Healthy adults usually don’t need a booster vaccination for whooping cough.
| DTP | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio | Regular vaccine, recommended for travel abroad. |
| DKT | Diphtheria, Whooping Cough, Tetanus | Specifically for work with young children in the Netherlands, not for standard travel abroad. |
| DKTP | Diphtheria, Whooping Cough, Tetanus, Polio | Specifically for children following the Dutch immunisation programme. |
What are the side effects of the DTP vaccine?
The vaccine can cause some mild side effects, such as pain, redness of the skin, and/or swelling around the injection site. In rare cases, the vaccine can cause tiredness or a mild fever. An allergic reaction can occur if you are allergic to a component of the DTP vaccine.
What does a DTP vaccine cost?
Please see our prices page for the current cost of the DTP vaccine.
Can the DTP vaccine be given simultaneously with other vaccines?
The DTP vaccine consists of inactivated toxins from diphtheria and tetanus bacteria, as well as inactivated poliovirus strains. Inactivated vaccines can be safely combined with other vaccines, such as vaccines against hepatitis A, typhoid, or yellow fever.
Frequently asked questions
A recent polio vaccination can be mandatory in some countries. Please see our list of destinations for a current overview of these countries. These mandatory polio vaccinations are only required for trips with a duration of four weeks or longer, and the vaccination must have been given no more than twelve months ago. The DTP vaccine is recommended for almost all countries outside Western Europe.
The DTP vaccine is usually given as a booster, because most people have already received it as part of their childhood immunisation programme. The vaccine starts working almost immediately in the case of a booster dose, and you will have enough antibodies after a few days. If you did not participate in a childhood immunisation programme, the DTP vaccine will offer sufficient protection after a series of three doses.
About ten years after your last DTP vaccination, you need a booster to help maintain your immunity. This is because immunity fades over time. A booster is recommended after ten years, especially when travelling to an area where DTP is common.
A DTP vaccination is recommended for a trip to Thailand.
Prices
Would you like to know more about costs? Please visit our prices page:
Book an appointment
Do you have any other questions, or would you like to book an appointment for personal (travel) advice? Click the appointment button below or contact us via email at info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl or call 085-9020303.
Cholera
What is cholera?
Cholera is an intestinal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Cholera often starts with sudden vomiting, lots of watery diarrhoea and sometimes abdominal pain. Because of the watery diarrhoea, a person with cholera can quickly become dehydrated. Generally, people do not get very sick and recover on their own.
How do you get cholera?
The disease spreads mainly through the contaminated faeces of infected people and is predominantly found in South Asia, Africa, South America and the Gulf of Mexico. People can contract it by eating or drinking contaminated food. Eating seafood is particularly risky because the bacteria accumulate in it. This is because the bacteria attach to plankton and end up in seafood this way.
What can you do to prevent cholera?
You can be vaccinated against cholera. In high-risk areas, be careful what you eat and drink. Especially people who do not have access to clean drinking water are at risk. Based on your destination and health, we will be happy to give you personal advice.
Do I still need to get a cholera stamp?
In the past, when travelling to certain African countries, you had to show on arrival that you had a cholera stamp in your vaccination booklet. This is now no longer compulsory.
What protection does the cholera vaccination offer?
At vaccinatiecentrum.nl, we offer a cholera vaccine (Dukoral). This is an oral vaccine. This means that you take it in the form of a drink. Dukoral consists of two doses taken one to six weeks apart. It is important to take the vaccine at least one week before possible exposure. Depending on your age, the vaccine’s protection is 50-80% and lasts for two years.
How much will a cholera vaccination cost?
If you have supplementary health insurance, a cholera vaccination is usually covered by your health insurance. Check with your health insurance company whether the vaccination is (partially) covered. For more information on the price of a vaccination, please visit our prices page.
Questions or schedule an appointment?
Keep in mind that there should be one to six weeks between doses of the cholera vaccine. Therefore, book an appointment well before the start of your trip.
Do you have questions or would you like to book an appointment for a personal (travel)consultation? Use the button below, email us at info@vaccinatiecentrum.nl or call 085-9020303.
Please note! This vaccine is generally available within a few days but is not always in stock at every location. Please contact us by phone before your appointment.