CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
Vaccinations
| Type | 1st vaccination (number of doses) | Interval between doses |
Start of effect |
Booster dose |
Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow fever |
1 | 10 days | 10 days | The validity of the International vaccination Certificate begins on the tenth day after vaccination. |
| Type | 1st vaccination (number of doses) | Interval between doses |
Start of effect |
Booster dose |
Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tetanus (or in diphtheria-tetanus form) | 3 | 2nd: 1 month.3rd: 6-12 months | 2nd dose | 10 days | This vaccine is required in the Spanish infant vaccination calendar. It is recommended to all sea farers. |
| Polio | 2 injections | 1 month | 2nd dose | 6-12 months | Recommended for those travelling to epidemic areas. The booster may be administered orally instead of by injection. |
| Typhoid fever |
3 (oral) 1 (injection) |
2 days | 5 days after the last dose 10 days |
1 year 3 years |
Recommended for those who travel in poor hygiene conditions. |
| Measles | 1 | 10 days | This is administered with Rubella and Mumps in the Spanish infant vaccination calendar and is only recommended if not administered Anteriorly. | ||
| Hepatitis A | 2 ó 3 (injection) |
1 month | 2nd Dose | ¿10 years? | Advisable for those travelling to developing countries. |
| Hepatitis B | 3 | 1 month | 2nd Dose | Recommended for those travelling on long trips with frequent stays in endemic countries. |
| Type | 1st vaccination (number of doses) | Interval between doses |
Start of effect |
Booster dose |
Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCG (tuberculosis) |
1 | 2 months | In Spain, a high percentage of the adult population is already vaccinated. It is recommended only for young adults who are going to stay for a long period in areas where it is endemic. | ||
| Cholera | 2 (oral dead) |
7 days | 7 days after the 2nd dose |
6-12 months | Take drink and food hygiene measures. Cholera risk is very low for travellers. It does not protect against some breeds. |
| 1 (oral live) | 8 days | ||||
| Meningococcal meningitis | 1 (A + Cor tetravalent) | 15 days | 3-5 years | Advisable for those travelling to areas where it is endemic and with close contact with the local people. In some areas, depending to the season , it is recommended | |
| Rubella | 1 | 1 month | See Measles. | ||
| Mumps | 1 | 2-3 weeks | See Measles. | ||
| Influenza | 1 | 1 week | 1 year | The risk of appearance varies according to the season and destination. In the Tropics, influenza can exist all year round; in the Southern hemisphere, especially in April and September; and in the Northern hemisphere, from November to February. It is especially recommended for specific risk groups. (Chronically ill patients). | |
| Rabies | 3 | 2nd:
7 days 3rd: 28 days |
3rd dose | 1st:
1 year Following: 2 or 3 years |
Recommended for high-risk professionals and for risk situations where it is endemic. The complementary booster dose should be taken in cases where bitten by a rabid or possibly rabid animal. Be careful with pets! |
| Japanese Encephalitis | 2-3 | 7-14 days | 10-14 days | 1-4 years | Advisable if staying in rural areas where it is endemic (South East Asia). |
Source: International Journeys and Health. Required vaccines and health advice, 2000 (modified in part by the authors).
We all have a defence system against infections, called the immune system, which produces defensive elements (antibodies) against foreign bodies in the organism (antigens).
Vaccination consists of introducing a controlled quantity of antigen into the organism so that the immune system produces antibodies in sufficient quantity to fight off the infection in the future. This protection becomes weaker with time and, therefore, booster doses have to be administered after a certain time, depending on the vaccine.
Everyone who goes to sea should be vaccinated against tetanus, influenza, mumps, and diphtheria, if only for their own protection and convenience. A booster injection should be administered every 10 years for diphtheria and tetanus as reinforcement.
The need for sailors to be immunised against yellow fever (see APPENDIX 6) and typhoid fever depends on the route and destination of the trip. The convenience or not of other vaccinations (hepatitis B, etc.) depends on the existence of other risk factors: age, Anterior illnesses, sexual behaviour...
Foreign Health Centres (see APPENDIX 7) and Maritime Health Centres (see APPENDIX 2), can provide up to date information.