Bahrain: Immunisations and malaria advice

You must discuss your own particular needs and contraindications to vaccines or tablets with your doctor or practice nurse. Advice can change so check again for future visits.
 
Ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including repatriation. The 'T7' leaflet (from Post Offices) gives details of health care agreements between countries. The completed form must be submitted about 6 weeks before you plan to leave.

Immunisations

• Confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain - including vaccines given to special groups because of risk exposure or complications (e.g. hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly).

• Courses or boosters usually advised: tetanus; hepatitis A.

• Vaccines sometimes advised: diphtheria; hepatitis B; tuberculosis.

• Rabies: declared rabies free by WHO (2005) but animal bites should always be assessed carefully.

• Yellow fever certificate required from travellers over 1 year of age coming from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Notes on the diseases mentioned above

• Tetanus is contracted through dirty cuts and scratches. This is a serious infection of the nervous system.

• Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food and water, causing liver inflammation and jaundice. It is commonly found in overcrowded conditions where hygiene is poor.

• Tuberculosis is most commonly transmitted via droplet infection. Those going to countries where it is common, especially those mixing closely with the local population and those at occupational risk, e.g. health care workers, should ensure that they have previously been immunised. Check with your doctor or nurse.

• Diphtheria is also spread by droplet infection through close personal contact. Vaccination is advised if close contact with locals in risk areas is likely.

• Hepatitis B is spread through infected blood, contaminated needles and sexual intercourse, It affects the liver, causes jaundice and occasionally liver failure. Those visiting high risk areas for long periods or at social or occupational risk should be immunised.

• Rabies is spread through bites or licks on broken skin from an infected animal. It is always fatal. Vaccination is advised for those going to risk areas that will be remote from a reliable source of vaccine. Even when pre-exposure vaccines have been received urgent medical advice should be sought after any animal bite.

Malaria not normally present unless the illness was contracted abroad.

The above advice is appropriate for the majority of travelers to this country. If you are at all unsure as to what measures are suitable for you, (eg if you are pregnant, or are suffering from a condition requiring special medication), it is recommended that you talk to your health advisor. This page is produced by the Scottish Centre for infection and Environmental Health.