Travellers urged to check vaccinations

Holidaymakers travelling to far-flung destinations such as India or Thailand would be wise to investigate which vaccinations they need before they set off.This is the advice of insurer LV=, which noted that some 26 per cent of holidaymakers decided to go away without the recommended jabs for diptheria, typhoid and hepatitis A – and 19 per cent did not bother to seek out advice from a GP as part of their travel preparations.

However, LV= Insurance spokesperson Emma Hoyler commented that overlooking vaccinations could lead to a ruined holiday if travellers fall ill and are subsequently faced with costly medical bills.

“The reality is that if holidaymakers ignore recommended vaccinations, they increase their likelihood of catching something serious – and it really isn’t worth the risk,” she said.

Ms Hoyler suggested that one good course of action is to investigate which jabs are recommended using the destination guides on the Foreign & Commonwealth website.

Currently, the insurer estimates that the cost of vaccinations for people booking flights to India, Thailand or Mexico averages £93.

Written by Ruth Norris