Traveller stories

Traveller stories

These stories show how others made their decisions. They are based on real experiences from people seen at a travel clinic. They may help you figure out what matters most to you.

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Story 1

Emily, 23 year old

Emily, 23, is planning a two-week trip to Thailand in January. She plans to visit Bangkok and Chiang Mai, staying in hostels to save money. She might visit an elephant sanctuary but won’t go to rural areas.

Emily talks to her doctor about health risks. Her doctor mentions a small risk of getting Japanese encephalitis (JE) from mosquito bites. The JE vaccine works well but is costly, and Emily is already paying for other vaccines. Since her trip is short and during a lower-risk season, she decides not to get the JE vaccine. Instead, she will wear long clothes, use insect repellent and sleep under a treated bed net. Emily feels ready for her trip.

Story 2

Rohan, 38 year old

Rohan, 38, has inflammatory bowel disease. He’s planning a month-long trip to India in July to visit family. He knows there will be many mosquitoes and is worried about Japanese encephalitis (JE). Because the medicine he’s taking weakens his immune system, he wants to reduce his risk as much as possible.

After talking with his doctor, Rohan decides to get the JEspect vaccine, which is safe for him. He’ll also wear long clothes, use insect repellent, and sleep under a net. Rohan feels relieved knowing he is taking steps to protect his health.

Story 3

Mark, 55 year old

Mark, 55, is a seasoned traveller planning a trip to Indonesia. He just learned about JE after hearing about a death in a traveller to Bali. Mark recalls getting mosquito bites on past trips and wants to be fully protected.

Even though the risk of JE is low, Mark knows the consequences can be serious. He decides to get the Imojev vaccine, which offers long-term protection with a single dose. Although it’s more costly than other vaccines, Mark feels it’s worth it to protect him on this and future trips.