Infants must have measles vaccine to travel within EU, say Spanish paediatricians

Normally in Spain, babies are given the so-called 'triple virus' vaccination – against measles, mumps and rubella – when they are exactly 12 months old, but Dr Francisco José Álvarez, secretary of the Vaccination Advisory Committee, part of the Spanish Paediatric Association (AEP), says parents planning to travel should do so earlier.

“Right now in Europe, we have a terrible measles epidemic which is affecting countries that tend to be popular destination countries for Spaniards going on family holidays,” Dr Álvarez explains.

The areas in question are also likely to be among common countries of origin of European expatriates living in Spain, who may wish to travel to see their families with their babies.

“If it is strictly necessary to travel to these countries with infants of under a year old but at least six months old, we recommend bringing the 'triple virus' vaccination forward,” Dr Álvarez says.

“But remember that it cannot be given until the infants are six months old.”

Many children get through the typical 'childhood diseases' with few problems, but in infants and toddlers, as well as in adults – especially the elderly and pregnant women – they can be very serious and even fatal, or at least leave behind permanent sequelae.

Measles is one of the most serious of all, and usually starts with a temperature, rash and cough.

It can go on to affect the respiratory system, causing laryngitis, bronchitis, bronchopneumonia and, in an estimated 6% of cases, pneumonia, all of which increase the risk of death or permanent damage.

In addition to the 'triple virus' vaccination, Dr Álvarez recommends parents travelling with children under three should arrange for other innoculations, especially if their destination is outside of Europe or the USA.

Paediatricians will normally advise where to go – every region and most provinces has an International Vaccination Centre, although this may involve travelling some distance.

Appointments should be booked at least a month or two before going abroad.

Among vaccinations which are not included as routine for children or adults are Hepatitis A, and which is normally necessary for travel outside of Europe, the USA, Australia and east Asian countries like Japan and South Korea – at least in certain high-risk areas where food or water may be contaminated – and can be given to children from the age of one year old onwards.

For some countries, a typhoid vaccination is necessary or recommended, but this cannot be given to children under two.

Yellow fever vaccinations are strongly recommended for certain African countries, as well as Brazil when travelling outside of major cities, and can be given from the age of nine months – in fact, some countries, mainly in Africa, require proof of vaccination at the border.

Malaria tablets are normally strongly recommended for travel in rural parts of Africa and Latin America – travellers start to take them a few days before setting off and continue to take them a few days after returning, but children under two should not normally have them and a paediatrician's advice should be sought first for those aged two and over.

Parts of Japan and south-east Asia are high-risk areas for the so-called 'Japanese encephalitis', an inflammatory condition which affects the brain, and which can also be vaccinated against.

Dr Álvarez recommends parents do not take children under two to countries in the tropics in Latin America, Africa or Asia unless this is unavoidable, since several tropical diseases cannot be vaccinated against – one of these is dengue, transmitted by certain mosquitoes, for which the only prevention is DEET fly repellent, a substance not normally suitable for use on young children.