Colombia’s Best Beach Destinations

BY  Ankita Feb 13, 2024

Traveling opens up a world of adventure, especially for younger explorers. But before you book your tickets and board the plane, it’s important to know that proper immunization is critical to ensure your child's health and safety abroad. Are you equipped with the essential vaccinations for your young adventurer? Key Takeaways Vaccinations are critical for safe travel. A tailored immunization schedule is necessary. Proper administration and aftercare of vaccines protect young adventurers. Fundamental Concepts Of Vaccination When planning trips for young adventurers, it is crucial to understand how vaccines protect against diseases by boosting immunity, and the processes that ensure their safety and efficacy. Understanding Immunity And Vaccines Your immune system is your body's defense against infections. When exposed to disease-causing organisms, your body produces antibodies to fight the invaders. Vaccines are biological preparations that provide this immunity without causing the disease itself. They contain weakened or killed forms of the microbes or their parts, stimulating your immune system to recognize and combat the actual disease if you're exposed in the future. Types of Vaccines: Live, attenuated vaccines Inactivated vaccines Subunit, recombinant, polysaccharide, and conjugate vaccines Toxoid vaccines Common Vaccines for Kids: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) Polio (IPV) Hepatitis B Vaccine Development And Safety The development of vaccines is a rigorous process. It involves several stages of testing for effectiveness and safety before they can be approved by regulatory bodies such as the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics. After a vaccine is released, it continues to be monitored for adverse side effects. Vaccine safety is a priority, and side effects, when they occur, are mostly mild, such as a sore arm or low-grade fever. More serious side effects are very rare. You need to be aware of the recommended vaccine schedule for kids to ensure they are protected against preventable diseases during their travels and beyond. Vaccination Schedule And Recommendations It's crucial to adhere to recommended vaccination schedules for different stages of life to ensure protection against various diseases. Childhood Vaccination Guidelines Your childhood immunization schedule starts from infancy. The CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) outline that infants should receive multiple doses of vaccines such as DTaP, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. It's important to keep a record and follow up with your pediatrician to stay on track. Birth to 6 years Vaccine Schedule Summary: AgeKey ShotsBirthHepatitis B1-2 MonthsHepatitis B, DTaP, Rotavirus, Hib, PCV, Polio4 monthsDTaP, Rotavirus, Hib, PCV, Polio6 monthsHepatitis B, DTaP, Rotavirus, Hib, PCV, Polio12-15 monthsHib, PCV, MMR, Varicella4-6 yearsDTaP, Polio, MMR, Varicella Adolescent Immunization Needs As you transition into your teen years, additional vaccinations are necessary to maintain immunity. Adolescents should receive the Tdap vaccine, a booster for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, typically around 11-12 years old. The HPV vaccine series should also begin at this age to protect against human papillomavirus-related diseases. 7-18 years Vaccine Schedule Summary: AgeKey Shots11-12 yearsTdap, HPV series start, Meningococcal16 yearsMeningococcal booster Vaccines For Specific Age Groups Young adults should ensure they are up to date with vaccinations, especially if they haven't completed the HPV vaccine series or haven't received a Tdap booster in their adolescence. As you age, vaccines like the annual influenza shot and potential travel-related vaccines become pertinent based on your lifestyle and destinations. Always consult with a healthcare professional to tailor your immunization plan to your specific needs and to assess whether you need any catch-up vaccines. 19-26 years Vaccine Checkpoints: Annual: Influenza As needed: HPV series completion, Tdap, Travel-specific vaccines (Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, etc.) Protection Against Specific Diseases As you prepare for your adventures, ensuring you are vaccinated is a key step in protecting your health. This section covers essential routine and travel-related vaccines and guidance for disease outbreaks and seasonal vaccinations that are critical for young adventurers. Routine And Travel-Related Vaccines Your vaccination schedule should begin with routine vaccines that protect against common diseases. These include: Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): A combined vaccine providing immunity to these three diseases. Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP): Protects against these bacterial infections; a booster is needed every 10 years. Polio: Typically given in childhood but check your status as it's vital for travel to certain regions. Varicella (Chickenpox): Important if you haven't had the disease in childhood. For hepatitis A and hepatitis B, vaccines offer long-term protection, particularly important in regions with higher incidence rates. As for travel-specific vaccinations, they depend on your destination: Yellow Fever: Required for entry into certain countries; check if it's necessary for your itinerary. Typhoid and Hepatitis A: Recommended for travelers to most parts of the world, including Southeast Asia. Vaccine Shots for Southeast Asia: shots for Japanese encephalitis and typhoid are needed, along with malaria pills for protection against the mosquito-borne disease. Rabies and cholera shots should be considered as well. Disease Outbreaks And Seasonal Vaccinations Be aware of disease outbreaks in your travel destinations. This requires staying informed about current health threats which may necessitate additional vaccinations or precautions. For seasonal vaccinations, the yearly flu shot is recommended for all travelers to maintain health and minimize disruptions to their plans. Additionally, consider vaccines for: Meningococcal disease: Especially if you're visiting areas where outbreaks are common or live in close quarters with others (e.g., hostels). Human papillomavirus (HPV): Recommended to protect against various cancers and diseases caused by HPV. Rotavirus: Particularly for young children, as this vaccine is part of the routine immunization schedule. Always consult with a healthcare provider or a travel medicine clinic well in advance of your trip to ensure you receive all necessary vaccinations for safe travels. Vaccine Administration And Aftercare Ensuring proper vaccine administration and managing aftercare can significantly enhance the benefits of immunization, such as reducing the risk of hospitalization due to vaccine-preventable diseases. Read Also: Bali Beyond The Beaches: Exploring The Hidden Gems Of The Island Preparing For Vaccination When preparing for vaccination, it is crucial to consult with your pediatrician to understand which vaccines are appropriate for your kid. Your healthcare provider will recommend the necessary doses, including if a booster shot is needed. For example, the COVID-19 vaccine regimen may consist of more than one dose. Make sure you are aware of: The vaccination schedule, including the timing between doses. Possible pre-vaccination requirements: such as an allergy test for severe allergic reactions. Managing Possible Side Effects Post-vaccination, it's common to experience minor side effects such as redness, pain, swelling, and soreness at the injection site. To manage these: Apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the area to alleviate discomfort. Use your arm regularly to improve blood flow and reduce pain. For side effects that persist or if you experience symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the face and throat), seek medical attention immediately. Keep in mind that the benefits of vaccines, like the prevention of serious illness, often outweigh these temporary discomforts. Conclusion Your children’s health is paramount. Adhering to recommended vaccinations significantly reduces your risk of contracting travel-associated illnesses. Stay informed, be proactive with their health, and consult healthcare professionals for appropriate vaccines before embarking on your travels. 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BY  Abdul Aziz Mar 17, 2023

When you are planning a holiday with your loved ones you need to focus on how you can make the most of the time. Choosing the right destination can make a huge difference and therefore you need to decide where you want to go and what activities you want to do. If you are planning on traveling to India you need to focus on how you can get the best experiences and cover as much ground as possible. India is an incredible country that offers plenty of unique experiences. When you are unsure about what you want things can get overwhelming. With plenty of cities to cover, traveling in India can be hectic. Hence, if you are unable to make your itinerary you need to choose experts that can help you with tailor-made holidays to India. This would ensure that you can have a clear itinerary on what regions you want to cover. Also, they can help you with packages for wildlife tours, culture tours, and other bespoke holiday tours. However, no matter what destinations in India you cover you need to know certain things that can help you make your journey easy and convenient. Don’t Try to Cover Everything One of the common mistakes that most tourists make on visiting India is that they try and cover too much ground. This can be exhausting and will impact your health as well. India is a vast country with plenty of diversity in terms of food, culture, languages, architecture, landscape, and history. However, with the limited holiday time you have, you can only cover certain cities and towns. Hence, you need to be clear about what places you must cover and what you can exclude. Pack Weather-Wise When you are heading for a trip to India you need to pack wisely. Apart from packing the essentials you also need to be clear about what you should pack for your India trip. In terms of clothing, you need to look for loose-fitting clothes that have a breathable fabric. Long sleeves are generally advisable to ensure you don’t burn your skin. You can also pack in other essentials like sunglasses, hats, power adapters, insect repellant, water bottle, first aid kit, SPF lotion, wet wipes, and so on. Be Prepared For A Crowd One thing that can alarm you when you land in India is the number of people around you. Hence, you must be prepared to be in crowded spaces. If you are using public transport you might be squashed in buses and trains so be ready for it mentally. The concept of personal space is kind of absent in India and therefore you know that as well. Similarly, you would also find that most Indian cities are noisy and car honking is very rampant. Watch What You Consume While the food in India is delicious you need to watch out for what you consume. Not all vendors and roadside stalls in India practice hygiene and therefore you need to make wise decisions on where you want to eat and what you should skip. Similarly, not all street food is bad and unhygienic so decide what you want to eat and drink. Always carry probiotics and drink filtered water to keep yourself hydrated. Always carry some fruits along with you if you don’t want to rely on local street food. Carry A Water Bottle When you are traveling to different locations and towns you must keep yourself hydrated at all times. For this, you must carry a water bottle that can come in handy. Drinking tap water directly isn’t a good idea and therefore you can always buy filtered water bottles. However, make sure that the seal of the bottle is intact. You can always carry a self-cleaning water bottle if you want to refill the water as and when you need it. Dress Appropriately India is a land of multiple cultures and traditions and therefore you need to dress appropriately for different events. With the modest culture of the country, you are expected to cover your arms and legs. It is advisable that you not wear skimpy or revealing clothes which can offend others around you. Also, if you are visiting a local guest you would want to remove your footwear before entering. Similarly, you need to dress appropriately when you are visiting local temples and ensure that your shoulders and head are covered. Practice Hygiene Cleaning your hands and feet regularly is a must when you are traveling in India. With a lot of dust and dirt around you want to ensure that you practice hygiene to keep your health in check. You can always return to your hotel or accommodation and ensure that you wash your hands and feet before you go to bed or head for food. This would ensure that you keep yourself safe while you are in India. Always carry a hand sanitizer and toilet paper along with you to ensure you stay clean. Travel Beyond Cities While top-tier cities like Mumbai and Delhi are the most popular choices you need to look for locations beyond these metro cities. These destinations will have less number of people and the air will be cleaner. Also, you will get to experience something unique that most metro cities won’t offer. You can meet and interact with the locals and that would help you know more about India and the local culture and traditions. Delays Are Okay Many Indians might not meet you on time and that is perfectly alright. Similarly, the trains and buses you want to board might be delayed as well. So, you need to know that the concept of time works differently in India. For this, you would want to carry your favourite book along with you to spend that time. You can always look for other ways to spend your time when you are waiting for your public transport to arrive. Sidewalks Are Missing While you are covering some of the top cities in India you will find that sidewalks are practically missing. Hence, you need to ensure that you keep your eyes on the traffic and the people and stray dogs that come your way. This might seem overwhelming but knowing what's coming will help you prepare for it. Go For It While a lot of the things said above might make you feel apprehensive about your decision to visit India but you need to know that every country is different and so is India. Hence, if you have plans to visit India all you need to do is be prepared, make sure that you have your documents and papers with you, and head out for an adventure that is like no other. Read Also: YACHT VACATION: HOW THE RICH SPEND THEIR HOLIDAYS FAQ About Staying Safe With Holiday Royal Vacation Club

BY  Barsha Nov 2, 2023

Traveling is one of the most exciting and fulfilling things we can do with our time. However, without proper planning, it can quickly become one of the most stressful events I our calendars too. In particular, takes a lot of thought and preparation if you want every step of the journey to run smoothly. If you have an overseas trip coming up, there are a few key things you’ll want to start getting in order long before you hop on the plane. Here’s what you need to start thinking about the moment you decide to go on holiday. Research Your Destination Thoroughly First things first – you need to know a little about where you’re going. Where in the world is it? What are the travel documentation requirements? What’s it like there and what do you plan to do while you’re there? Once you know the essentials, it’s also good to do a little bit of reading up on the culture, the cuisine, the tourist attractions, what the weather’s like, and all the other little details that will impact your experience. Find out what the people are like, what the “must try” foods are, and if there are any tourist traps you should be avoiding like the plague. Also, don't forget to check whether you need an international driving permit if you plan on renting a car during your travels – this often overlooked document can be essential for hassle-free road trips in many countries. Prep Your Travel Documents Early One of the most stressful aspects of travel is all the admin that comes along with it. When you’re traveling abroad, there’s a whole lot of documentation that needs to be in place to avoid hiccups, so make sure you start getting it all in order well in advance to avoid last-minute panic sessions. Sort out your visas and flight tickets pronto. You’ll also want to make sure you know how you’ll be paying for things in your destination country, that you get any required vaccinations, and that you’re covered for any emergencies. Opting for a comprehensive travel insurance plan like Blue Cross Travel Insurance will wrap everything into one. Overshoot Your Budget There’s no worse feeling than realizing you’ve gone way, way over budget on something you were sure of – and yet this is pretty common. This is why when you’re budgeting for a big trip, it’s always a good idea to prepare yourself to go a little over. We all know that saving money while travelling is a priority for most people, so if you have hard limits, set them. However, then you need to make sure you’re strict with your daily spending! If you know that you’re the spontaneous type who might vanish into a nearby pub when you were meant to be out for a leisurely (and free) park stroll, you might want to leave some wiggle room in your budget. Look To Locals For Recommendations If you’re looking for accommodation, restaurants, bars, clubs, parks, museums, theatres, activities, or even just a really good coffee, the best people to ask are the locals. Locals have done all the hard work of experiencing the not-so-great options that inevitably exist in every city, so getting their advice on where to go and where not to go simply makes sense. If you like to plan ahead, try to find an online community group (such as on Facebook) where you can ask for recommendations from the locals of whatever cities you’ll be visiting. Create A Flexible Itinerary When traveling abroad, there are inevitably going to be countless things you want to do and see and experience. It’s not unlikely that you’ll be able to fill up every moment of your trip in a pre-planned schedule to make sure you get to everything. However, a lot of the magic of travel lies in spontaneity – stumbling across hidden gems or losing track of time at some natural beauty you discovered. It’s a great idea to plan your trip and make a list of the must-do moments. However, making your itinerary flexible and adaptable will ensure that you don’t pressure yourself out of the things you’re really enjoying. Learn The Local Lingo If you’re traveling to a foreign country that speaks an unfamiliar language, it’s always a good idea to get a little clued up before you go. Of course, you can rely on translation apps while you’re there to help you read signs and order your meals, but knowing some of the basics will help make communication a lot easier. In this case, language learning apps are almost always the way to go. They might not be an ideal option for someone looking to seriously study a language, but they provide an excellent platform for some quick, basic learning. Try to pick up some basic phrases you might be using on a regular basis on your trip. Learn to ask for the restroom, directions, and where to find a cold beer! Read Also: How To Save Money On A Trip To Abu Dhabi 7 Tips To Make The Most Out Of Your Trip To Gatlinburg How To Use Videos To Drive Conversions In Travel Business