Inoclations

If you are travelling long haul, you'll probably need jabs for Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Diphtheria, Polio (popular sugar-lump option!) and probably a few others.

Inoculations: the best prevention against catching something horrendous.

You need to know that:

• They're not cheap so allow up to £50 (worst-case scenario), especially if you need anti-malarial tablets too.
  
• Find out what you need from your local GP (the cheapest option but not always the most up to date in terms of new local outbreaks).
  
• Alternatively British Airways has 32 travel clinics around Britain (ring 01276 685 040 to find your nearest) or try MASTA (Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad) (ring 0891 224 1000). If you leave a message saying where you're going, they'll send you a print-out of the jabs you need.
  
• You may feel rubbish for a couple of days after the jabs. If you are pregnant, check first with your doctor.
  
• You may need boosters anything from several weeks to several years later.
  
• Don’t forget to keep taking the pills (if prescribed). With malaria tabs, you’ll need to take the pills for a period before and a period after you return from your trip.
  
• Don’t get bitten in the first place. Find yourself a really powerful bug repellent and use it, especially at dawn and dusk when the little gits are most active. The jungle-strength stuff contains DEET, which some people react badly to. Fortunately, these days there are nearly-as-good solutions without it.