Posting workers abroad entails a series of obligations for the Company, including managing the health risks associated with the business mission and the recommended vaccines for travel.
In this way, it is essential to obtain exhaustive information on compulsory and recommended vaccinations for travel, in order to implement effective preventive measures to protect employees from potential health hazards.
The adoption of a strict protocol to assess health risks and appropriate vaccinations is not only for personal safety, it is a real corporate responsibility. Current regulations and best practices require companies to ensure that their employees are adequately protected against health risks during international assignments.
For more information on current safety regulations, take a look at our guide on Italian health and safety laws for assignments abroad.
Through careful planning and a proactive approach, companies can minimize health risks, ensure business continuity and fulfil their obligations in terms of occupational safety.
What are the required vaccinations for travel?
There is not a unique answer for this question, but it depends on the destination country, on the length of stay and on planned activities.
Some vaccinations can be distinguished as “travel vaccinations”, including:
- Hepatitis A and B: recommended when travelling to Asia, Africa, Latin America and some areas of East Europe;
- Rabies: recommended for some living conditions in Asia, Africa and Latin America;
- Typhoid: recommended for travel to areas with poor hygiene conditions, especially in South Asia, Africa and Latin America;
- Meningococcal meningitis: recommended for some parts of Africa;
- Yellow fever: compulsory for some countries in Africa and Latin America.
What is vaccination passport?
The vaccination passport, formally known as the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (CIVP), is an official document recognised globally by the WHO. It certifies vaccination against specific infectious diseases, particularly those required for entry into certain countries or for safe travel in health-risk areas.
A vaccination passport is an essential document for travelling to certain parts of the world, where local health authorities require proof of vaccination against specific diseases to prevent the spread of epidemics.
For example, vaccination against yellow fever is compulsory for entry into many African and South American countries. Entry can be denied if failing to present the relevant certificate.
Besides fulfilling entry requirements for countries, the vaccination passport protects travellers’ health. As a matter of fact, it ensures that travellers are protected against endemic diseases in the areas they visit, reducing the risk of sometimes potentially serious infections.
In Italy, vaccination passports can be requested in authorised vaccination centres, at ASL (Local Health Authority), or downloaded through the Electronic Health Record for vaccinations already registered.
It is important to verify in advance the vaccinations required for your travel destination and obtain the necessary certificate before departure.
Which vaccination certificate do I need to travel?
An appropriate vaccination certificate is essential for safe travel, especially to countries with specific health risks.
The type of certificate required depends on the destination and the health regulations in force in the country.
The most requested vaccination certificate is for yellow fever, and it is valid internationally.
Where to get a vaccination certificate for travel?
The certificate for yellow fever, called yellow certificate, can be obtained from authorised international vaccination centers, such as local health authority, hospitals, or other health facilities recognised by the Ministry of Health.
Other vaccination certificates may be requested depending on the health regulations of the destination country. Among which, there are:
- Meningitis;
- Polio;
- Rabies;
- Japanese encephalitis;
- Hepatitis A and B.
Once the vaccination has been carried out, the health authority records the information and issues the corresponding certificate. For some vaccines for international travel, such as yellow fever, registration is done directly on the International Vaccination Certificate.
Where do you get vaccines for travel?
Vaccinations are usually administered at international vaccination centres, your local health authority, or private centres.
How long before travel should you have travel vaccines?
Giving a single time frame for the administration of vaccinations is unrealistic, as the timing varies depending on several factors. In general, we can say that vaccines requiring a single dose or a short course should be administered approximately 4-6 weeks before departure for an adequate immune response.
On the other hand, for vaccines requiring several doses, it is advisable to start vaccinations at least 6-8 weeks before the trip.
Some vaccines can be administered up to 2 weeks before the trip, such as the yellow fever vaccine. However, this should be the exception rather than the rule, as not all vaccines are effective immediately after administration.
Vaccines for travel and frequent diseases in travellers
We have said that an international trip entails several health risks. Several diseases can travel quickly, as the 2020 pandemic taught us.
Among the most widespread diseases in recent years, we can name:
Dengue
Dengue is a viral disease transmitted mainly by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. It is widespread mainly in tropical and subtropical areas of the world and is a significant public health problem in many regions.
Countries most at risk of contracting dengue include many countries in South-East Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
There is a vaccine for dengue (Dengvaxia). However, it is only recommended for people who have already contracted the virus and live in high-risk areas.
Malaria
Malaria is a disease transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles. It is one of the most serious and widespread diseases in tropical and subtropical countries, with millions of cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths each year.
There is currently no vaccine for malaria, but malaria prophylaxis is recommended for those travelling to areas where the disease is endemic, such as many regions of sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Latin America and the Pacific.
Before travelling, a doctor specialised in travel medicine should be consulted at least four to six weeks before departure. This will allow you to discuss the specific risk and the most suitable prophylaxis options.
Typhus
Typhus (typhoid fever) is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. It is mainly transmitted through the consumption of food or water contaminated with faeces of infected people.
The typhoid vaccine is recommended for those travelling to areas where hygienic and sanitary conditions are poor, increasing the risk of contracting the disease, such as some areas of South Asia, South-East Asia, and some countries in Africa and Latin America.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV) and is mainly transmitted through the consumption of food or water contaminated with infected faeces. This form of hepatitis is generally acute and does not become chronic, but can be debilitating.
The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for those travelling to countries or areas with poor hygiene conditions and a high risk of virus transmission, and in areas where access to adequate medical care may be limited. In this case, risk areas range from Africa to Asia, including Latin America and the Middle East.
The hepatitis A vaccine should be administered at least 2-4 weeks prior to travel. After a full course of vaccination (two doses), protection lasts up to 20 years or more.
Studio A&P’s support
As we have seen, it is important to have a complete picture of the health status of the country of destination of the assignment. This allows to check whether there are any compulsory vaccinations required for entry into the country, and also recommended vaccinations due to endemic diseases.
Obtaining reliable information on health requirements for employees posted abroad can be costly for companies, both in terms of time and resources.
In this regard, Studio A&P’s team can provide an exhaustive list of all the vaccinations required before travelling to a foreign country, by consulting 7 governmental sources, the US Department of Health (which is also relied upon by the Italian Ministry), the UK Department of Health and the WHO.
Fill in the contact form to receive more information about our service on vaccinations for business trips.