Travel vaccines: a guide to appropriate use.

As greater numbers of people travel to exotic locations, vaccine technology is becoming increasingly important. Deciding on appropriate immunisation can be complex: it involves assessment of the traveller's risk, an awareness of the potential diseases at a particular destination and knowledge of the vaccines available. This article focuses on nine diseases that can be prevented through vaccination: hepatitis A; typhoid; yellow fever; hepatitis B; tick-borne encephalitis; rabies; meningococcal meningitis; Japanese encephalitis; and cholera. In each case the indications for immunisation are discussed as well as any contraindications and adverse reactions to the vaccines.