As plans for summer travel begin to take shape, health protection is often left until late in the process – or overlooked altogether. Yet the risks associated with travel-related infections remain real, and in many cases preventable.
Demand for international travel continues to rise. Data from the Association of British Travel Agents and the Office for National Statistics shows increasing numbers of UK residents travelling abroad in recent years. Greater mobility brings clear benefits, but also increases exposure to infectious diseases that are less common, or absent, in the UK.
World Immunisation Week, led by the World Health Organization from 24 to 30 April under the theme “For every generation, vaccines work”, is a timely reminder that vaccination remains one of the most effective tools for preventing serious illness. This applies as much to adults and travellers as it does to children.
A common misconception is that travel vaccines are only required for remote or ‘high-risk’ destinations. In reality, infections such as hepatitis A and typhoid persist in areas frequently visited by UK tourists. At the same time, measles – one of the most infectious diseases known – has re-emerged, with outbreaks reported in the UK and across Europe. Ensuring that routine vaccinations, including MMR, are up to date is a fundamental part of preparing for travel.
Another assumption is that it is not worth seeking advice shortly before departure. In practice, it is rarely too late. While some vaccines are most effective when given in advance, there can still be benefit in receiving them close to travel or starting a course that can be completed later.
Even at short notice, a consultation can address other risks, including malaria prevention, food and water safety, and managing existing medical conditions abroad.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow has been connected to vaccination since its earliest development. Following Edward Jenner’s work in 1796, which led to the first vaccine, the College played a role in advancing vaccination practice – a legacy that continues through its Faculty of Travel Medicine.
For us, travel health is not a single intervention but a tailored assessment, shaped by where a person is going, how long they will stay and what they plan to do. The goal is not to alarm, but to equip travellers with practical, evidence-based guidance.
Infectious diseases acquired abroad are regularly seen in UK healthcare settings. Each year, patients present with travel-associated infections, some of which are increasing. Imported malaria cases have risen in recent years, and typhoid infections continue to be reported. These are preventable illnesses that can result in severe disease and hospital admission.
Last year, a UK traveller sadly died after contracting rabies following an exposure overseas – a rare but almost invariably fatal infection once symptoms develop, but one that is preventable through vaccination and timely post-exposure treatment. The case highlights the importance of awareness, particularly for travellers who may come into contact with animals in countries where rabies remains endemic.
Those visiting friends and relatives abroad remain at particular risk. They are less likely to seek pre-travel advice, often due to a sense of familiarity with their destination. However, immunity may have waned, and longer stays or closer contact with local communities can increase exposure. The central message of World Immunisation Week is clear: vaccines work across the life course.
For travellers, that means taking practical steps before departure – checking vaccination status and seeking appropriate advice. As international travel continues to grow, so too does the importance of preparation. Factoring health into travel planning, and contacting your local travel clinic, is a straightforward measure – one that can prevent avoidable illness and reduce the wider impact of infectious diseases.