Thousands of Scouts around the globe are looking forward to the World Scout Jamboree in early August 2023. If you’re one of them, you may be wondering if you should get any travel vaccines before you go to Korea. Well, you’ve come to the right place!
What travel vaccines do I need to go to the Republic of Korea?
The vaccines recommended for Scouts going to South Korea will depend on the individual and the activities they have planned. As the Scout Jamboree 2023 is a mass gathering, the young people in your group will want to check that their scheduled vaccines are up to date, as diseases like measles, mumps and rubella can spread rapidly in a crowded situation.
But we recommend that everyone going to Korea for the 2023 Scout Jamboree should make an appointment with a travel health professional. Some travelers should consider vaccinations against rabies, hepatitis B and Japanese encephalitis.
It’s quick and simple to get a travel health appointment in Houston, Texas, with Global Travel Clinics.
Advice for travelers with underlying health conditions
A travel health appointment can tell you what health risks you are likely to encounter on your trip to Korea. If you have an underlying health condition such as asthma or an allergy, take this information to your usual healthcare provider to get advice about managing in an environment that is different to that you experience at home.
Your usual healthcare team can also give you letters and prescriptions that you can use if you need medical attention in Korea during the jamboree.
Clean hands to protect your health at the Scout Jamboree
Keeping your hands clean is an easy win when it comes to avoiding infectious diseases. Use soap and water to wash your hands for 20 seconds before food prep and before eating; and after using the bathroom. In a crowded situation, it’s a good idea to avoid obviously sick people, and don’t share water bottles and utensils with people who seem unwell.
Sun safety in Korea
August is summer in Korea, and if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, you will want to take steps to protect your skin from sun damage. Use plenty of sunscreen, wear a hat and clothing with good coverage. Also stay hydrated – keep drinking water, even if you’re not thirsty.
Avoid insect bites during the jamboree
As well as being painful and annoyingly itchy, insect bites can expose you to some unpleasant diseases, including Lyme disease and scrub typhus, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis. Some of these are vaccine preventable, but not all of them are. So it’s a good idea to reduce your risk of exposure by avoiding insect bites. Again, clothing with good coverage will help, as well as insect repellant. You can learn more about mosquito avoidance and preventing insect bites in our advice article.
One final word…
All good wishes for the 2023 Scout Jamboree: we hope you have the time of your lives and make lifelong friends and lots of good memories!
Book Online