[Vaccinations for the traveller]

Long distance journeys are more and more frequent. Beside malaria prophylaxis, the general practitioner shall consider several points. Vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria and (for a few years at least) polio should be done every ten years. Hepatitis A vaccine shall often be done (with > 20 years protection) but typhoid fever vaccine shall be limited to adventurous and/or long stays. Yellow fever vaccine (10 years validity) is only administrated in specialised centers; this is the only mandatory vaccine for certain african or south american countries. In certain instances, one shall consider vaccination against hepatitis B, meningococcal meningitis or, less often, against rabies, central european or japanese encephalitis. The vaccine against cholera (numerous side effects and poor efficacy) is no more available.