Immunization and travelling abroad
Children and in particular babies, are more vulnerable to disease, so if you're planning travel abroad with your baby or toddler, it's vital to identify the health risks sand have your child immunized as required.
© Jupiter
If you are planning to take your baby or toddler abroad, it is vital that you find out beforehand about the health risks in the country you're going to be visiting and the precautions, including vaccinations, you may need to take.
Ask your travel agent, the embassy (in London) of the country you are going to visit, or the Department of Health, who issue a useful leaflet (SA 40) Before You Go: The Traveller's Guide to Health that gives comprehensive advice on the subject. They also publish a companion leaflet, (SA 41) While You're Away, which is worth taking with you. You could also check the website of the National Travel Health Network.
If vaccinations are needed, see your doctor at least two months before you go as some take time to be effective and some cannot be given at the same time as other vaccinations. If your child is very young and several injections are required, you may want to reconsider your plans.
Holiday health precautions
First aid kit
Take a first aid kit with you containing: a packet of adhesive dressings, sterile needles, insect repellent, antiseptic cream, water sterilization tablets and any prescription medicines.
Water
Babies' feeds should, of course, be mixed with boiled water as usual. Otherwise, unless you know that the local water is safe, use bottled water or sterilize it by boiling or using sterilization tablets. This applies not just to drinking water but also to the water you use for cleaning teeth or rinsing the mouth out.
Food
Beware of raw vegetables, salads, unpeeled fruit, cream, ice cream, ice cubes, under-done meat or fish and uncooked or reheated food. Freshly cooked foods are safer.
Travelling in Europe
If you are travelling in Europe, free or reduced-cost emergency medical treatment is available in the European Community countries. To get medical care you need an EHIC card (available from the Department of Health), which should be applied for at least one month before your trip starts. You can apply for this card if you live in the UK and are a national of the UK. Children each need their own separate cards. You can get a forms from a post office or visit the Department of Health website.
Travelling outside Europe
The UK has made arrangements with some countries outside the European Community for urgently needed medical care to be provided free or at reduced cost to UK nationals or residents. You may have to produce evidence of UK nationality and residence in order to qualify for such treatment. Check what is available in the country you are to visiting before you go.
Taking medicines abroad
If you need to take any prescribed medicines for your baby or toddler with you, your doctor may be able to supply a limited quantity under the NHS. Check if there are any restrictions on taking drugs, prescribed or over-the-counter, into the country you are visiting. To avoid any problems at security or customs, take a letter from your doctor with details of any medicines prescribed.
Travel insurance
Whatever countries you intend to visit, it is very important that you take out adequate private medical insurance. The arrangements provided for emergency medical treatment in EEC countries, or in countries covered by reciprocal arrangements, do not cover every eventuality; the cover is not always as comprehensive as in the UK and it never covers the cost of bringing a person back to the UK in the event of illness.
New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard
Posted 30.06.2010
Get more on this subject…
