When you're getting ready to travel to another country, it's really important to think about the vaccines you might need. These shots can help protect your health while you explore new places. Here’s a simple guide to the main vaccines travelers should think about:

1. Everyday Vaccines: First, make sure you're current on the common vaccines, which include:

   • MMR (measles, mumps, rubella): 3 out of 10 people with measles end up in the hospital, so getting this vaccine is very important.
   • Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough): About 1 in 10 people with whooping cough can have serious problems, making this shot necessary.

2. Vaccines for Traveling:

   • Hepatitis A: This vaccine is recommended for everyone traveling abroad because there are around 1.5 million cases every year worldwide.
   • Typhoid: You need this if you’re going to parts of Asia or Africa. It works about 50%-80% of the time.
   • Yellow Fever: Some countries in Africa and South America require this vaccine. It's important because without it, the disease can be really deadly, with a chance of dying up to 50%.

3. Location-Specific Vaccines: Depending on where you're going, you might also need shots for:

   • Rabies: This is really important if you'll be around animals. Once rabies shows symptoms, it's almost always fatal.
   • Malaria prevention: There isn’t a vaccine for malaria, but you can take medicine to help prevent it. In 2019, there were about 229 million cases of malaria around the world.

4. COVID-19 Vaccine: Make sure you’re vaccinated against COVID-19. The rules are changing all the time, and being vaccinated is still important as it affects travel.

Before you go, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor about what vaccines you might need. Aim to do this around 4 to 6 weeks before your trip. They can give you advice based on where you're going and what activities you have planned. Safe travels!