Recommendations before the trip

Before the trip It is highly recommended that you consult an International Health Center since the risk to the health and safety of the traveler varies according to the regions, the countries to visit and the times of the year. Consider the need for adequate medical insurance according to the type of trip and if you suffer from a chronic illness you should bring a brief updated medical report in English.

There are International Health Centers throughout the Spanish territory where it would be advisable to schedule a visit in good time, between 15 days and a month before the trip at least.

Every International Health Center has medical specialists in Travel Medicine who will individualize the possible dangers and prevention needs according to itinerary, reason for the trip (tourism, work, cooperation, visiting friends or family), time of year or duration of the trip and background personal. As a result of this estimate of risk to your health, you will be advised a series of preventive measures (vaccinations, chemoprophylaxis) and recommendations or precautions to minimize said risk as far as possible.

There are certain preventive measures, such as vaccines on the calendar or updating some of the doses, that can be administered in Primary Care Centers.

On the contrary, there are other preventive measures such as chemoprophylaxis or preventive treatment against malaria, or specific vaccines for travel such as yellow fever or quadrivalent meningitis that only International Health Centers are authorized by the World Health Organization (WHO ) to administer them and issue the International Certificate of Vaccination.

Yellow fever is a very serious viral disease, present in countries of sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America (Amazon area) that is transmitted by mosquito bites. In some of these countries its prevention through vaccination is mandatory to enter it, and it will be the Center itself who will advise its use, administer the vaccine and issue the International Certificate of Vaccination. Once you arrive at the place of destination, or even sometimes to make the entry visa there, they will request it. The vaccine is effective 24 hours or 10 days after its administration depending on whether it is a booster dose or the first time it is administered, and is valid for 10 years. The International Certificate of Vaccination is personal and non-transferable, and if the traveler is lost, they should go back to the issuing center to obtain a duplicate.

Tetravalent meningitis is an effective vaccine against several strains (A, C, W135 and Y) of meningococcus, being mandatory to obtain an entry visa in Saudi Arabia at the time of pilgrimage to Mecca or hajj, or in other circumstances . This vaccine is also recommended for people traveling to sub-Saharan African countries in the dry season (from November to June).

Malaria or malaria is a parasitic disease with serious consequences present in countries of sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America (Amazon area) and Southeast Asia that is transmitted by mosquito bite. There is currently no effective vaccine against it, so it is advisable to take preventive treatment or chemoprophylaxis to prevent its development as well as avoid mosquito bites.