Vaccinations matter

Sophia Bullard, crew health programme director at UK P&I Club, has suggested: “Vaccination is the most effective method to prevent the spread of common, preventable, illnesses onboard, such as hepatitis B and chickenpox. Seafarers frequently travel to many destinations and each port may bring its own risk. Also, because of the long periods of time without medical care, it is recommended crew obtain early vaccination. Certain specific infections, such as yellow fever, hepatitis A and B and typhoid fever are all readily preventable but cannot be treated on a ship and can have serious consequences.”