If you are travelling from Christchurch, the vaccinations you need depend on where you are going, what you will be doing, and your own health history. Common travel vaccines include hepatitis A, typhoid, and for some destinations yellow fever or Japanese encephalitis. Malaria is managed with tablets rather than a vaccine. The key thing is timing: book a travel consult about six to eight weeks before you fly, because some courses need more than one dose. A travel clinic reviews your trip and gives you a plan made for your destination.
Key takeaways
The vaccines you need depend on your destination, your activities and your health history, so there is no single list that fits everyone.
Book your travel consult about six to eight weeks before you leave. Some vaccines need two or three doses spread over weeks.
Yellow fever is required for entry to some countries and needs an official certificate, which only approved clinics can issue.
Malaria is prevented with tablets, not a vaccine, and the right one depends on where you are going.
A travel consult is one appointment that covers your whole trip, rather than guessing vaccine by vaccine.
Left it late? It is still worth going in. Some protection is better than none, and the clinic will prioritise what matters most.
It depends on where you are going
Booking a big trip is exciting right up until you start googling "what shots do I need for" and fall down a rabbit hole of conflicting advice. Here is the plain version for anyone travelling from Christchurch.
There is no single checklist, and anyone who hands you one without asking about your trip is guessing. What you need comes down to three things: the countries you are visiting, what you will be doing there, and your own health and vaccination history. A city hotel in Bangkok is a different proposition from trekking in rural Nepal.
Some of the more common travel vaccines for New Zealand travellers:
Hepatitis A: Protects against Contaminated food and water; Often needed for Most of Asia, Africa, South and Central America; Book ahead 2 weeks or more
Typhoid: Protects against Contaminated food and water; Often needed for South and Southeast Asia, parts of Africa; Book ahead 2 weeks or more
Yellow fever: Protects against A mosquito-borne virus; Often needed for Parts of Africa and South America, and required for entry to some; Book ahead 10 days or more
Japanese encephalitis: Protects against A mosquito-borne virus; Often needed for Rural Asia, longer stays; Book ahead 4 to 6 weeks, a two-dose course
Rabies: Protects against Rabies from animal bites; Often needed for Remote travel, working with animals; Book ahead 3 to 4 weeks, a multi-dose course
This is a guide, not a prescription. Your travel consult confirms what actually applies to your trip.
Malaria is different
Malaria is not covered by a vaccine you can get before you go. It is managed with antimalarial tablets that you take before, during and after travel to a malaria area.
There are a few different options, and the right one depends on your destination, the length of your trip, and how you handle side effects. We cover this properly in our guide to malaria tablets, but the short version is that it is part of the same travel consult.
Timing is the part people get wrong
The single most common mistake is leaving it too late.
Some travel vaccines need more than one dose, spread over several weeks, to give you full protection. Book your travel consult about six to eight weeks before you fly and you give yourself room to complete any courses comfortably.
If your trip is sooner than that, go in anyway. A clinic can often use an accelerated schedule, and even partial protection beats turning up with nothing.
What a travel consult actually involves
It is one appointment.
You talk through your itinerary, your health, and what you have had before. The clinic maps that against your destinations and gives you a plan: which vaccines you need, which tablets if any, and practical advice for staying well while you are away. You can usually have the vaccines you need at the same visit, and the clinic tracks any follow-up doses.
For yellow fever specifically, you need an official certificate to enter certain countries, and only approved clinics can issue it. If your trip might need one, it is worth checking early.
Getting it sorted in Christchurch
If you have a trip coming up, the easiest move is to book a travel consult and let the clinic do the working out. Bring your itinerary and any record of past vaccinations.
One appointment, a plan made for your trip, and you can go back to the fun part of planning the holiday.
FAQ
How far in advance should I get travel vaccinations?
About six to eight weeks before you fly. Some vaccines need two or three doses spread over several weeks, and that timing gives you room to finish a course comfortably.
What travel vaccinations do I need for my trip?
It depends on where you are going, what you will be doing there, and your own health and vaccination history. Common ones for New Zealand travellers include hepatitis A and typhoid, with yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, or rabies for some destinations. A travel consult confirms what applies to your trip.
Is there a vaccine for malaria?
No. Malaria is prevented with antimalarial tablets taken before, during and after travel to a malaria area. Which tablets suit you depends on your destination, the length of your trip and how you handle side effects.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate?
Some countries require an official yellow fever certificate for entry. Only approved clinics can issue one, so it is worth checking early if your destination might need it.
What if I am travelling in less than six weeks?
Go in anyway. Clinics can often use an accelerated schedule, and partial protection is better than none. The clinic will prioritize what matters most for your destination.
What should I bring to a travel consult?
Your itinerary, including any stopovers, and whatever record you have of past vaccinations. If you are not sure what you have had, the clinic can usually look it up.
