Some Travel Inoculations “Not Essential”

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29772, 15 March 1962, Page 18

Some Travel Inoculations “Not Essential”

Travel agencies sometimes advise prospective travellers to have inoculations which are not essential for travel to the countries concerned, according to a handbook issued by the Division of Public Health of the Health Department. The handbook, entitled “Immunisation Information for International Travel,” has been prepared for doctors. “Doctors have two services to perform,” says the booklet. “They have to inoculate the traveller and provide him with the relevant certificates to facilitate his travel through control posts at sea and air ports: and they can also immunise the traveller for his own protection and give him advice on other precautions against diseases he is likely to be exposed to during his travel.

“Most travel agencies give accurate and up-to-date information on inoculation requirements for certificate purposes, but at times some advise passengers to have inoculations which are not essential for travel to the countries concerned.

“The problem of the general protection of the traveller for his own sake is a professional matter upon which only the doctor should advise.

“In general, inoculation requirements of the various countries are for the benefit of the country concerned and not primarily to benefit the individual traveller. Unfortunately. other than epidemiological arguments account for some requirements. For example, although smallpox has been absent from New Zealand since 1920, travellers may be required to have vaccination certificates to travel to countries in which smallpox is absent, but not for entering some countries where smallpox is endemic.”