Vaccinations

You can get vaccines against a number of diseases before you are due to travel. Vaccinations will prevent you from getting sick or, if you do become ill, from serious complications. Vaccinations are not always effective immediately. They can take time to work and some require a series of two or three doses given over a period of weeks or months. This is why it is important that you always visit Travel Clinic Erasmus MC well before you are due to travel; at least six weeks before departure. But please note: even last minute vaccinations and malaria pills will still give you protection during your travels. Travel Clinic Erasmus MC will determine which vaccinations you require based on your personal health information. 

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Medication

If you take medication, please remember the following important points:

• Take enough medication for your entire trip with you; ask your GP to provide you with a prescription to cover the whole period that you will be away for.
• Carry enough medication in your hand luggage, so that you will not run out if your check-in luggage is delayed for some reason.
• You can get a medication passport through your pharmacy. This provides a written record of your medicines and makes it easier to obtain drugs abroad if you were to lose your medication or run out.
• Keep in mind that not all drugs purchased abroad are reliable and may even be unsafe. So it is better to avoid buying drugs while traveling as you will not always know what you’re taking.
• The possession and use of opiates is strictly prohibited in many countries. If you or your child use drugs such as Ritalin, Concerta, medicinal cannabis, or strong painkillers, you will not be allowed to take them with you on travels abroad. More information can be found on www.hetcak.nl or call 0800 - 2108. Send your Schengen certificate or medical certificate to CAK to have it legalized.

Medical kit for travelers

It is always advisable to take a medical kit with you so that you will be prepared for any eventuality when you are traveling. First aid supplies and basic medicines are not easy to obtain everywhere in the world. Medical kit for travelers checklist:

• standard first aid kit
• painkillers (e.g. paracetamol or aspirin)
• Oral rehydration salts to replace lost salts and fluids in cases of diarrhea
• anti-diarrhea medicine for short-term use
• anti-malaria tablets (if necessary)
• sunscreen
• disinfectant (e.g. iodine)
• sterile injection material
• condoms
• motion sickness tablets
• antibiotics

Other travel items such as a mosquito net, mosquito repellent, or insect tweezers can be found on our webshop. Some of these products are also sold at our clinic.