Children travelling

Parents should take special care when travelling with young children and being prepared in advance is important.

Special seating arrangements in planes can often be arranged and cots provided for infants if advance notice is given. Special feeds for babies may also be arranged.

Prepare for possible travel sickness. Boredom during travel can be relieved by books or toys. If road travel is expected check that childrens' seats and belts are available.

Childrens' skin burns easily in the sun. Take sensible clothing, high factor sun screens and avoid exposure to 'mid-day' sun.

Dehydration develops quickly in children so offer frequent cool drinks when it is hot.

Remember to avoid contaminated food and water. If your child has vomiting or diarrhoea lost fluid and salts must be replaced. It may be helpful to take rehydrating tablets or powders for reconstituting with boiled water. You can usually buy these at your local chemist.

Infections such as tuberculosis and diphtheria, spread from close personal contact with those infected, can be more serious in young children. You can seek advice on vaccinations from your doctor.

Sensible shoes and clothing can give protection against sunburn, animal and insect bites and foot injuries (e.g. from stones and coral).

Keep children away from stray or sick animals.

Vaccinations are important and schedules can differ for children so seek advice from your doctor or nurse.

Doses of malaria tablets are usually less than for adults.

Seek medical advice without delay any illness persists.

Hints on vaccine schedules for children

Check British schedule is up to date
The 1st dose of DPT and Polio can be started as early as 1 month for those going to high risk areas.

BCG vaccination against tuberculosis is especially important for children likely to be in close contact with locals in high risk areas. It can be given from birth and is usually preceeded by a tuberculin (PPD) skin test in older children to detect those who may have been exposed to natural infection. Protection from BCG is only acheived after about 4-6 weeks.

Measles vaccine can be given as early as 9mths of age to children going to live in countries where measles is known to be common in very young children. Vaccination at 15mths may then be too late. This mostly applies to poorer areas in Africa, South America and Asia.
When this is done a booster dose at 15mths is usually advised in case the primary dose did not induce active immunity in the child because of the presence of maternal measles antibody.
Combined measles/mumps/rubella vaccine (MMR) is not normally advised under 1yr of age but measles vaccine alone may be available.

Meningococcal vaccine should be given to children over 2mths if at risk, but immunity may not last more than 1-2yrs.

Hepatitis A vaccine is available for children between the ages of 1 and 16 yrs.Immunoglobulin is an alternative.
Hepatitis B vaccine can and should be given to children going to live in countries in high risk areas and can be given from birth.

Typhoid vaccine is normally given from 1yr, when side effects tend to be less severe and exposure is usually greater.

Rabies vaccine can be given to infants after exposure or if at risk in remote areas.

Japanese B encephalitis vaccine can be given to infants at risk

Diphtheria vaccine boosters should be given 10 yearly to those at risk. Remember the last dose given according to the British schedule is at 4-5yrs.