Do You Really Need to Get a Travel Vaccine?

By Robert Firpo-Cappiello
July 5, 2019
passport vaccine and travel papers
Maxexphoto/Dreamstime
The answer is often "yes," and the more adventurous your trip, the more likely you are to need a shot in the arm before you leave home.

You've just told a friend about your upcoming trip to a once-in-a-lifetime locale like Machu Picchu or an African game park and he turns your wanderlust to whomp-whomp with a simple question: "Have you gotten your shots?"

The question is not as bratty as it sounds. There are a handful of places on earth you literally can't visit without getting vaccinated, and a wide array of countries where a few recommended shots could be the difference between a dream vacay and a medevac.

Get the essential shots

"No matter where you're traveling, you should make sure you're up-to-date on routine vaccinations like T-dap (diptheria/tetanus/whopping cough), measles/mumps/rubella, and annual flu shots," recommends David Freeman, M.D., professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and treasurer/secretary of the International Society of Travel Medicine. Yawn? Think again: Measles is on the rise in Europe, where an anti-vaccine movement has discouraged many parents from having their kids inoculated against this potentially deadly disease. And nothing says "There's no place like home" like a bout of flu on the road.

Find out if your destination poses health risks

Visit a user-friendly web resource, such as the Centers for Disease Control (cdc.gov), to find a country-by-country index that explains what vaccinations are recommended. Headed for a South Africa game park? You should consider, with a doctor's advice, shots for typhoid, rabies, and hepatitis A. But if your game park is in Kenya, you may be advised to add a yellow fever vaccine to the list. In fact, many less-developed countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the Amazon River basin actually require visitors to show proof of yellow fever inoculation before they enter the country. And, though there's no vaccine against malaria, it is rampant in lower Africa and you should ask your doctor for an antimalarial prescription before you leave the U.S.

Weigh the costs of vaccinations

Freeman recommends that before traveling to a developing region, you visit a travel clinic—where the doctors' major focus is on helping you stay healthy on the road—at least four weeks before your trip. But there's a catch: Although routine shots are covered by most health insurance plans, a trip to a travel clinic and vaccines that are recommended or required for travel are usually not. That means that, on top of airfare and lodging, you may have to add $50-$100 for your exam/consult, $250-$300 for typhoid and hepatitis A shots, $150-$200 for yellow fever, and up to $1,000 for a rabies series. We're not suggesting you miss the chance to see the Big Five or explore the rain forest—just arm yourself with information and, if you must, roll up your sleeve!

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Travel Tips

Posting a Complaint on Social Media: Our Top 10 Tips

We’ve all been there: You’re at the airport getting ready to embark on a vacation, only to find out your flight has been delayed three hours. Or, you’re trying to check into a hotel but the front desk can’t find your reservation. Before you panic or flip out, though, consider lodging a complaint on social media. Nearly half (46%) of consumers have used social media to “call out” or complain about a business, according to a recent survey by Sprout Social, which sells social media tracking software for businesses. The bad news? Only about one in 10 messages to companies on social media receive a response. Don’t let your complaint to get lost in the vacuum. Take these steps to make sure your voice is heard and get the results you’re looking for. Be specific Don’t just say that you’re “having a problem” or “need assistance”—provide specific information explaining what the issue is. How many days was your luggage lost by the airline? Were there stain-covered carpets or cockroaches in your hotel room? Why did the rental car break down? These kinds of details provide customer service professionals with context.The caveat: Social media isn't always the right place for consumers to go when they have complex issues, like when they miss a flight because someone is sick. Use relevant hashtags to gain traction Weave appropriate hashtags into your Facebook or Twitter post to increase exposure. See what’s trending: If a lot of other flyers are tweeting #JetBlueFail, for instance, follow their lead. Mind your appearance To increase the likelihood of receiving a response, your own social account has to look professional. On Twitter, for example, if you don’t have a bio or you’ve never tweeted before, the company might think you’re account is fake. Having a professional looking profile picture can also affect your response rate. Read: complaining from an account that has a custom photo—say, a simple headshot of yourself—is more effective than complaining from a Twitter account with the default egg or from a Facebook account with a gray-and-white silhouette. Tweet at the right account Check to see if the business you’re targeting has a social media account that’s dedicated to supporting customer service (e.g., @ASOS_HeretoHelp and @comcastcares). Indeed, more than one third of top brands have a Twitter handle they use to directly support complaints, according to social analytics firm Simply Measured. However, make sure the company is actively using the account. Hootsuite, a social media management tool, has a @Hootsuite_Help Twitter account, but its last tweet was on November 28, 2018. Don’t be afraid to write more than one message If you don’t receive a response, don’t give up. In fact, lodging multiple messages for the same complaint may help you receive a response. The more you gripe, the more likely it is that other customers will see your complaint—and no business wants to have a bad reputation. In fact, about 74% of millennial Twitter users said they would be less likely to buy from a brand that has negative comments from other consumers on social media platforms, a recent survey from Twitter and enterprise social technology company Sprinklr found. Think about timing Though some companies check their social media accounts and respond to complaints around the clock, other businesses are only monitoring their accounts during regular business hours. By posting your complaint within that window, you may be more likely to receive a response. Another pro tip: don’t lodge a complaint on social media during a holiday expecting a timely response. Leave a Facebook review Worried that the company will just delete your complaint and erase all evidence that you have an issue? Fortunately for consumers, companies can’t remove reviews on Facebook that customers wrote if they’re truthful. This can give customers bargaining power—for instance, by offering to delete your own review when the business resolves your issue, you’ll be in a much stronger position. Stay calm No matter how frustrated you get, the last thing you want to do is go on a tirade against a company on social media. It’s like berating a customer service agent on the phone—you’ll probably get nowhere, and the employee may have been able to assist you had you kept a cool head. So, avoid using expletives, put downs, or sarcasm when writing your complaint. Avoid posting personal information Don’t publicly share your phone number, email address, or account information in messages to companies on social media. If you do, you could be exposing yourself to spammers or potentially even hackers. Be clear about what you want Ask yourself what your goal is. Are you looking for a full refund? Do you want a free upgrade to first class on your next flight? Knowing what your end game is—and articulating it clearly in your message—is crucial.

Travel Tips

These Smartphone Accessories Will Change the Way You Travel

Like it or not, smartphones have changed the way we explore the world. From electronic ticketing to GPS, not to mention those all-important social-media updates, our phones are our constant companions; even out of service range or in airplane mode, we're using our devices to take pictures, navigate Google Maps, and supply the soundtrack for new adventures. Since we won't be leaving home without 'em anytime soon, we found six accessories that will make your phone even better—all for $70 or less. Get Up Close and Personal (Courtesy SIRUI USA) Cheap smartphone clip-on lenses are readily available for less than $20 a set, but if you’re serious about photography—or stepping up your Insta game—paying a little more for higher-quality versions will garner better results. “If you use your phone for more then just snapshots, you should have a 60mm lens,” says Budget Travel photo director Amy Lundeen. “The Sirui 60mm clips on easily and ups the quality for portraits and details like flowers and food—the images are nice and sharp, even if you’re a little further away from the subject then you might want.” The only downside? It weighs down the phone a bit, making it a little more difficult to hold, but if you’re not willing to invest in a real camera or tote around the one you have, this is the way to go. It’s available individually, but it also comes as part of a set, in a carrying case alongside a fish-eye and an 18mm wide-angle, for $150. Sirui 60mm Portrait Lens, $70, bhphotovideo.com. Fit More in the Frame (Courtesy Bower) To capture that expansive skyline shot, a wide-angle lens is also a must. “The wide-angle is perfect for a sunset or rooftop view,” Lundeen says. “It gives just enough extra in the frame to make images from your favorite destination more dramatic.” Cheaply made lenses will lend a fish-eye look to your photos, but this one from Bower offers 50 times the magnification with a 110-degree field of view, giving you more room to play with only a hint of curve around the edges. It has a built-in clip so it's compatible with front and back cameras, but it doesn’t fit well with a phone case—I had to remove mine in order to get the lens to line up properly. As long as you’re willing to run the risk of droppage to get the perfect shot, though, this is an ideal option. Bower HD Cinema-Wide Lens for Smartphones, $50, bhphotovideo.com. Light It Up (Courtesy LuMee) Let’s get two things out of the way: Yes, this LuMee light-up case was designed to take better selfies, and yes, it’s been endorsed by the most famous Kardashian. But thanks to LED rails on the front and back, it’s good for much more than just snapping well-lit self portraits. As a former food blogger, I have a compulsive need to document everything I eat, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover how much better this made my shots, especially in dimly lit dining rooms and dark, divey bars. I did feel a bit conspicuous whipping it out in close quarters—the backlight is pretty bright, even on the lowest setting—but when I saw the results, I was converted. That said, the case adds quite a bit of bulk to your phone, and it’s so difficult to get on and off that the company had to make a video to show how it’s done; plus, without a way to lock it, it’s all too easy to graze the power button and turn it on unintentionally. But those quibbles aside, this case is a great tool to have if you often find yourself taking pics in low-light situations. LuMee Duo, from $39, amazon.com. Go Hands-Free (Courtesy KobraTech) With social-media platforms leaning ever more toward personal broadcasting (see: Facebook Live and Instagram’s new TV feature), you don’t have to be a professional to justify an equipment upgrade. This 10-inch tripod offers a lot of bang for not a lot of buck, with bendable legs that anchor your phone to take steady shots, even when a level surface isn’t available, as well as an adjustable, universal phone mount that allows you to change up the POV. (It also comes with mounts for a proper camera and a GoPro.) And, with a shutter remote that works up to 30 feet away, it can even serve as a selfie stick—especially good news for solo travelers. KobraTech Triflex Mini Cell Phone Tripod With Remote, $25, amazon.com. Juice It Up (Courtesy Jackery) I’ve been using this portable charger for seven months and counting, and let me tell you, it is a game-changer. Weighing in at just six ounces, at 4-¼ inches long by 2 inches wide and just ½-inch deep, this little guy takes up next-to-no space in my bag, and its built-in lightning iPhone and micro USB cables not only give a serious battery boost in very little time, they also eliminate the need to carry around extra cords. It takes four hours to reach full capacity, but it holds a lot of power—during a recent weekend in San Francisco, it had enough juice to top up my phone and a friend’s multiple times before it needed to be recharged. Just two drawbacks to note: The power button is super-sensitive (on more than one occasion, I’ve pulled it out of my pocket only to discover that I’d accidentally turned it on), and given the positioning of the cables, it can be slightly awkward to hold both phone and charger in one hand—the cables are flexible, but the two units don’t stack very easily. But despite those caveats, I can’t recommend it highly enough. Jackery Bolt 6000, from $30, amazon.com. Boost That Battery (Courtesy Anker) Content distribution manager Amanda McCadams carried this charger on her last trip to Puerto Rico, and she came back raving about it. “When I travel, I use my phone non-stop: for navigating, selecting places to eat, looking up opening hours at attractions, buying tickets, checking my email, and constantly texting and taking calls if need be,” she says. “Plus, I’m using my phone to take photos and videos of nearly every interesting thing I encounter, so I quickly drain my battery. This Anker charger was awesome—I used it at least twice a day to charge up my phone, and it still had enough juice that it didn’t make me nervous.” With a slim profile and nine-ounce weight, it fits nicely in a day bag or backpack, and when you pair it with an extra-long USB cord, you can stash it in your pack and keep using your phone while the battery replenishes. It also comes with a case to wrangle your cords, and it charges via USB, so you'll only need to carry one brick for all of your devices. Anker PowerCore II Slim 10000, $34, amazon.com.

Travel Tips

"Flight Shame" Takes Off as the Buzzword of Summer

There are entire websites devoted to foreign language words that have no direct English translation. Shadenfreude—taking pleasure in others’ misery—is perhaps the most familiar example. Or consider cavoli riscaldati, the Italian term for attempting to rejuvenate an unworkable relationship (literally: reheated cabbage). When a person from the Philippines has the urge to pinch something adorable, he has gigil. Now there’s a new term making its way into the lingua franca, the Swedish word flygskam. Translation: flight shame. A record of climate change activism The term—and concept—is the product of increased awareness of the environmental impact of flying. Considering the conscientiously eco-minded behavior in Scandinavian countries like Sweden, it’s become slightly taboo to board a flight. This is the culture, after all, that gave us Greta Tintin Eleonora Ernman Thunberg, the activist who made international headlines when, in 2018, at the age of 15, she camped outside Sweden’s parliament building with a sign that read “School strike for climate,” an act that inspired her peers to get more engaged in activism around climate change. Sweden has instituted an aggressive plan to be carbon-neutral by 2045, a fact that puts its history of frequent air travel in stark relief. According to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, the nation’s aviation sector accounted for 1.1 tons of emission per person, five times the global average. It’s not a habit that’s easy to break, either. According to the United Nations, if initiatives to cut other CO2-emitting industries come to fruition, aviation will be the single largest culprit within 30 years. The impact of social media When it comes to drawing attention, few tactic work better than social media. On Instagram, @aningslosaininfluencers (translation: “clueless influencer”) chronicles the activity of celebrities who fly too often and too pretentiously. The account has more than 60,000 followers. However, unlike so many disparaging trends on social media, this one has an equal and opposite positive movement. Another new term, tagskryt, has taken hold as a response. Literally “train-bragging,” it’s Swedes’ way of broadcasting their pride in their green effort to opt for the train over flying. The Facebook group Tågsemester.nu has almost 14,000 members who post tips and tales of their train travels. Its Instagram account is packed with photos of people enjoying nature at eye-level, certainly something you can’t enjoy at 38,000 feet.

Travel Tips

Where to Find Free Broadway Shows in NYC This Summer

This summer, you won’t have to visit New York’s theater district to get a taste of the Broadway action. Broadway in the Boros Broadway in the Boros releases musical theater talent from the confines of Times Square for a free lunchtime performance series. Starting this month, as part of the city’s fourth-annual Broadway in the Boros series, cast and musicians from eight big musicals will take the show on the road, making the magic happen in public plazas across the outer boroughs. The lunchtime series kicked off earlier this month in Brooklyn, with the critical darlings from Hadestown (nominated in 14 Tony categories and victorious in eight) partnering with the Mean Girls crew at Bed-Stuy’s Restoration Plaza. The Prom & LGBTQ Pride in Queens On June 28, for World Pride Month, representatives from LGBTQ hit The Prom and contemporary sci-fi musical Be More Chill will perform in Jackson Heights, Queens. “My district is home to one of the largest and most diverse LGBTQ communities in the nation,” said NYC Council LGBT Caucus chair Daniel Dromm, ”which makes this event’s official World Pride designation very fitting.” Beautiful in the Bronx & Beetlejuice in Staten Island The party continues in the Bronx on July 12, with numbers from Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Wicked, and wraps in Staten Island on July 28 with newcomer Beetlejuice and long-running fan favorite Chicago rounding out the bill. (For the uninitiated, the free ferry from lower Manhattan to Staten Island offers great views of the skyline and the Statue of Liberty, and the neighborhood of St. George has plenty to keep you busy once you reach the other side.) “The Arts Are For Everyone” Providing free entertainment far from the chaos of Times Square, the program aims to connect local communities – and lucky travelers too – with a hallmark of the city that’s often inaccessible to its broader population. “The arts are for everyone,” said Brooklyn borough President Eric Adams, “and the cast members, musicians, and cultural partners who make this series possible embody that ongoing mission.”