There’s nothing worse than suffering thru the flu – fever, chills, vomiting and diarrhea. Ugh! The worst, right? No. The worst is having the flu while traveling.

Indeed, nothing can make you feel worse when you are sick, unless you are sick AND  far from the comfort of home and your doctor. A great way to mitigate this nightmare and avoid getting sick in the first place is to make sure you are immunized against diseases and illnesses that are commonplace in your destination.

When I decided to add Kenya to my summer 2014 itinerary, I figured I would need to check with my doctor maybe a month or so before my departure. Thankfully, I had lunch with a more seasoned traveller friend over the Christmas break and he cautioned me against any delays in scheduling my doctor visit. Turns out some immunizations must be done in series and, like Hepatitis A, have to be started SIX months prior to departure!

After that timely tidbit, I zipped home and hopped onto the Center for Disease Control’s website. Immunizations vary from country to country and in some instances, there could be both recommended and even required immunizations. Given all of the countries on my Summer 2014 itinerary, it is Kenya with the highest health risk. I was going to need Hepatitis A & B, Meningitis, Yellow Fever, Typhoid,a Polio booster, and a Tetanus booster, since my last one was over 10 years ago. And, despite the controversy, I did choose to get a flu vaccine.

Thankfully, my insurance policy covers all immunizations in full, as long as I use in-network physicians. My doctor is a general practitioner, so her office does not typically carry vaccines beyond the standard ones for the US: Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Tetanus, Meningitis and the Hep A&B. Thankfully I was able to get in to see her the first week of January to get the shot cycle started, including the Hep A series (first shot 6 months prior, 2nd shot a month later, and last shot anytime prior to departure). And Malaria? I learned that the preventative approach is an antibiotic regimen – one less shot! For the non-standard vaccines like Yellow Fever, Typhoid and adult Polio booster, I’ll have to go to a travel clinic. Your doctor should be able to give you guidance on travel clinics in your area. You should also check with your insurance to make sure you choose a travel clinic that is in-network.

If an in-network clinic is not an option for you, I strongly encourage you to still go forward with the immunizations. THIS IS YOUR HEALTH WE ARE TALKING ABOUT! The price of the shots will be far cheaper than the money you would have to spend to seek treatment and care while on the road. Plus, if you are visiting a country that requires immunizations, you risk being denied entry for failure to provide proof of vaccination. So, the net net is, don’t gamble with your health. To get an idea of out-of-pocket costs, here is pricing for travelers residing in the Austin area.

Some other advice for staying healthy is to keep some basic medicines in your travel kit to combat headache, allergies, scrapes & and cuts. Unless you are going to a developing country, most of these items can be purchased upon arrival. That way you don’t have to give up precious baggage space.

Whatever your destination and however long your travels, make your health your #1 priority. Be healthy, be safe, and happy travels!