By December many of us have pretty much had enough of winter. The cold. The short days. The frantic run-up to Christmas. Perhaps you’ve booked a holiday somewhere sunny to get away from it all, in which case, good on you! Now is the perfect time to make an appointment with Canadian Travel Clinics in downtown Calgary to get all your health questions answered.
Your winter sun holiday might be a little way off yet, but six to eight weeks before you travel is the perfect time to make your travel health appointment. Some shots are not immediately effective and if you leave it to the last minute they might not give you the best possible protection. Also, some shots come in two or three doses spaced days or weeks apart. And then you might wish to have a short trial course of malaria prophylaxis to ensure you make the right choice for you. Do this early and you’ll have time to switch to a more appropriate drug if necessary.
Here are some of our favourite winter holiday destinations and a bit of health advice – but for a detailed risk assessment, see a qualified travel health nurse, like those at Canadian Travel Clinics.
How can I protect my health in Cancun?
Cancun, Mexico, has plenty to offer over the festive period. Mexican Christmas is highly decorated, and there will be plenty of lively parties and processions from 16 December onwards: this nine-day run-up to Christmas is known as Los Posadas.
The shots you need for travel in Mexico depend on where you will be staying and the activities you have in mind. Your adviser at Canadian Travel Clinics may recommend some of the following vaccines: hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, diphtheria and rabies.
What shots do I need for Antarctica?
The northern hemisphere’s winter is the Antarctic summer, so Christmas is a great time to head down to the ice. The shots that keep you safe day to day in Canada should provide adequate protection for a trip to Antarctica. The southernmost continent, Antarctica, is perhaps the ultimate adventure destination. The limited infrastructure in the last great wilderness makes it difficult to visit independently and most visitors join an organized cruise to Antarctica. We’ve got an article about health on a cruise ship.
Do I need to get vaccinated to go to Cuba?
The Cuban government actually banned Christmas for almost 30 years until the late nineties, the meanies! But these days Christmas in tropical Cuba is a joyful and enthusiastic celebration.
Depending on what you have planned, your travel health nurse may recommend shots against hepatitis A, typhoid and rabies when you go to Cuba.
What should I do before I go to Dominican Republic?
Christmas Eve is the big celebration in Dominican Republic. Expect plenty of food and fun, followed by a day of relaxing on 25 December.
The Dominican Republic is a tropical country and travellers find themselves exposed to diseases such as malaria that do not occur in Canada. We recommend you consult a travel health nurse before you go so you can learn more about reducing your risk of illness during your trip to the Dominican Republic.
How do I make an appointment for travel vaccinations in Calgary?
Canadian Travel Clinics can offer same-day vaccinations at our travel clinics in Calgary. Make an appointment online right now.