The wonders of Turkmenistan are must on your holiday list this year. Untouched, unspoiled and unrivalled the country is unknown to most of the outside world. But those who make it to this less known corner of the world are rewarded as anticipated.
However, all the travellers should be careful and up to date with their routine vaccinations while travelling. Though there are not many specific vaccinations important prior to your trip to Turkmenistan here’s a list of do’s and don’ts when it comes to health check before your trip.
Routine vaccines
Do not miss out the routine vaccinations if any before your trip. Some of the important routine vaccines include-
- Diptheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine,
- Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccine,
- Measles-Mump-Rubella (MMR Vaccine),
- Polio Vaccine, and
- Flu shots
Other Vaccines To Be Prepared Of-
Hepatitis A and Typhoid
These vaccines are highly recommended in Turkmenistan. you may get Hepatitis A or Typhoid via contaminated food or water irrespective of wherever you stay whether with your family or friends or at a completely stranger place. If you are an adventuresome eater visiting rural and suburban areas the Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines are must on your travel essentials.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is easily transmitted through contaminated needles, and blood products and sexual contact. The vaccine is highly recommended to avoid getting infected in case you get indulged into sex with a new partner or have any medical procedures or get a tattoo or piercing.
Rabies
Rabies is a common disease that can be found in street mammals like the dogs and bats in Turkmenistan. Camping, hiking and biking group travellers and those involved in other outdoor adventure travels are always at a risk for animal bites and therefore should be well prepared with the Rabies vaccinations.
People working with and around animals like the wildlife professionals, veterinarians and researchers are prone to rabies. Also, those going on long trips and moving to Turkmenistan permanently with family and in particular with children might get bitten by these animals and hence affected.
Influenza
The flu season strikes Turkmenistan from November to April in the parts of the country in the northern hemisphere, from April to October, while in the parts of the country in the southern hemisphere, flu runs almost all year-round in the tropics. Keeping this in mind, influenza vaccination is recommended for all travellers who are over 6 months of age, and especially for pregnant women, children and persons over 65.
Those with chronic health ailments such as lung and heart diseases, immunosuppressive disorders, asthma, diabetes and organ transplants are on the higher risk of acquiring this disease and should, therefore, be careful.
Other vaccines
The following list of vaccinations are also recommended based on your age, lifestyle or occupational risk and most importantly health status-
- Meningococcal Meningitis,
- Pneumococcal Pneumonia,
- Varicella,
- Human Papillomavirus.
- Haemophilus influenza type B,
- Rotavirus,
- Herpes Zoster.