Medics are urging travellers to review destination-specific vaccination requirements well in advance of departure to avoid delays, stress, and preventable health risks.
As schools break for summer and airports across the UAE prepare for one of the busiest travel periods of the year, healthcare professionals are warning residents against a common but often overlooked travel mistake — delaying vaccinations until the final stages of trip planning.
While flights, accommodation and visa applications often take priority, many travellers fail to check whether their destination requires specific vaccinations or health precautions. Doctors say this oversight can result in unnecessary stress, disrupted travel plans and increased exposure to preventable diseases.
According to UAE-based physicians, many travellers only become aware of required vaccinations when they begin the visa process, receive travel documents, or are just days away from departure.
Dr Malaz Yabrodi, Internal Medicine Specialist at Medcare Shaikh Saqr Al Qasimi Hospital Sharjah, said many travellers mistakenly believe that routine vaccinations provide adequate protection for all destinations.
“One of the most common mistakes travellers make is assuming that routine vaccinations are sufficient for every destination. Many people focus on booking flights and accommodation, while overlooking travel health requirements until a very late stage in the process,” he said.
He added that travellers often only become aware of vaccination recommendations or requirements after beginning visa applications or finalising travel plans.
“Travellers may also overlook the importance of booster doses or fail to seek advice tailored to their age, medical history, and destination-specific risks. In the UAE, where residents travel widely during peak holiday periods, advance planning is especially important,” Yabrodi noted.
Hajj, Umrah and destination-specific requirements
For many UAE residents, religious travel remains one of the most common reasons for seeking vaccination advice.
Dr Qudsia Anjum Fasih, Family Medicine Specialist at Burjeel Day Surgery Centre, Al Shahama, said enquiries related to Hajj and Umrah consistently account for a significant share of vaccine consultations.
“In our practice, the highest number of vaccine inquiries is usually related to Umrah and Hajj travel. For these pilgrims, vaccines such as meningococcal and influenza are among the key requirements and recommendations,” she said.
She stressed that routine immunisations under government vaccination programmes should always be completed on schedule, while additional travel vaccines depend on the destination.
“For example, yellow fever vaccination may be required for travel to or from certain African countries. Typhoid and hepatitis vaccines are commonly discussed for travellers visiting parts of Asia, especially where there is a higher risk of food- or waterborne infections. These may not always be mandatory, but they are important preventive measures families should discuss with a doctor before travelling,” Fasih said.
She also highlighted the importance of malaria prevention discussions before travel.
“Although malaria vaccination is not routinely used for travellers, preventive medications and mosquito-bite precautions are available and should be discussed based on the destination.”
Healthcare professionals recommend seeking personalised medical advice rather than relying solely on online information, as vaccine requirements and health risks can vary significantly between countries.
Why timing matters before international travel
Medics warn that another common issue is leaving vaccinations too close to departure.
Some vaccines require multiple doses, while others need several weeks to become fully effective. Delays can therefore leave travellers insufficiently protected upon arrival.
Dr Mahmoud Medhat Mahmoud Aboumousa, Critical Care Medicine Specialist at International Modern Hospital Dubai, said vaccine requirements are often identified late in the travel planning process, leading to avoidable stress, disruptions and incomplete protection.
He also pointed to international guidance recommending full measles protection before international travel.
Special attention, he said, should be given to vulnerable groups, including young children, older adults, pregnant women and individuals with chronic health conditions.
“Families with children, elderly relatives, pregnant women, or people with diabetes, heart disease, weak immunity or chronic respiratory illness should seek travel health advice four to six weeks before departure,” he said.
Dr Aboumousa warned that last-minute vaccination may not allow enough time for immunity to develop.
“Leaving vaccination until the last minute may mean the body does not have enough time to develop protection, multi-dose vaccines cannot be completed, side effects may occur during the trip, and high-risk travellers may be exposed to preventable infections in crowded airports, religious gatherings, rural areas or destinations with different disease patterns.”
