Vaccination and Travel: Checking In When Moving to a New Country

A move, an expatriation, or simply an upcoming trip is often the trigger that raises the question: are my vaccinations really up to date? Here's how to approach the question calmly, without waiting until the last minute.

Why moving to a new country is the right time to check

Settling elsewhere often comes with a break in your usual medical follow-up: your vaccination record stays in your former country, your new doctor doesn't know it yet, and the question of vaccination status easily takes a back seat to more urgent administrative tasks.

This is precisely why a vaccination check, done early after arrival (or before departure), allows you to start on a clear footing rather than discovering a gap at the time of a trip or an exposure.

Why you shouldn't leave it until the last minute

Some vaccines require several staggered injections

A vaccine doesn't always protect from the first injection. Some, such as the rabies vaccine, require several doses spaced several weeks apart for full protection. Waiting until the last minute before departure can therefore make it impossible to complete a full vaccination schedule in time.

Immunity takes time to build, depending on the vaccine

Even for a single-dose schedule, it often takes a few weeks before protection becomes fully effective. Addressing the question as soon as the destination is known, rather than a few days before departure, gives the body the time it needs to develop a full immune response.

Which vaccines are relevant, depending on the destination

There is no universal list: it all depends on the destination, the length of stay and the living conditions there. Depending on the case, the following may be relevant: hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tick-borne encephalitis, rabies, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis or meningococcal meningitis. Personalised medical advice remains essential to identify what actually applies to your situation.

Key takeaway: there is no "default" vaccine valid for every destination. It's your specific itinerary, the season and your living conditions on site that determine what is actually useful.

The special case of yellow fever

For yellow fever specifically, many countries require an international vaccination certificate, compliant with World Health Organization standards, to allow entry into their territory. This document is different from a simple standard vaccination record and must be issued in the expected format.

Checking your vaccinations, even without an immediate travel plan

Moving to a new country of residence is also an opportunity to check your routine boosters (tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, among others), not just travel-specific vaccines. This is one of the elements covered by a standard health check-up, which includes an overall review of vaccination status.

Why recommendations change from year to year

Vaccination recommendations are not set in stone: they are regularly reassessed based on the evolving epidemiological situation in each region. Advice obtained several years ago, or based on a general online search, may no longer reflect the current situation, which is why up-to-date medical advice remains preferable to generic information.

In short

• A change of country is the ideal opportunity to check your vaccination status, before a gap reveals itself at the wrong moment.
• Some vaccines require several staggered injections: it's best to plan ahead as soon as the destination is known.
• Which vaccines are relevant depends entirely on the destination and the conditions of the stay: there is no universal list.
• Yellow fever sometimes requires a specific international certificate for entry into certain countries.
• Recommendations are revised every year: up-to-date medical advice remains preferable to older information.

Planning a trip or want to check your vaccinations in Tel Aviv, in French? Book an appointment at Dr Mergui's clinic, 8A Frishman.

This article is for informational purposes and does not replace a medical consultation. Only a doctor can determine the vaccines needed based on your destination and your personal situation.