Health, Safety & Vaccinations
Preparing for a Safe JourneyHeading into the field to support a community or start a new mission is an inspiring step. To ensure you can focus entirely on your purposeful work, taking care of your health and safety before you depart is essential.
At SIAMA, we believe that preparation brings peace of mind. We have gathered the most important health guidelines and resources to help you prepare thoroughly, calmly, and with confidence.
Vaccinations & Health Prep: Timing is Everything
Many humanitarian destinations require specific vaccinations or preventative treatments, such as malaria prophylaxis. We highly recommend starting your medical preparations at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure.
Some vaccination schedules require multiple doses spread over several weeks to be fully effective. Being proactive ensures you are legally compliant and, more importantly, fully protected.
A Quick Example:
If you are travelling to parts of Sub-Saharan Africa or South America, a Yellow Fever vaccination is often mandatory for entry. Without an official stamp in your yellow vaccination booklet, airlines may deny boarding.
Awareness of Global Health Risks
Health risks and viral outbreaks (such as Dengue, Yellow Fever, or other regional infectious diseases) can emerge unexpectedly depending on your destination. Staying informed about current local health situations ensures you can take the necessary precautions, like preventative medication, booster shots, or specific hygiene measures, well before you fly.
Flying While Pregnant
Are you expecting a child while planning your trip? We want to ensure both you and your baby stay completely safe throughout your travels.
Most airlines allow pregnant women to travel without restrictions up to 28 weeks. After this point, you will need an official medical certificate from your doctor or midwife.
Most carriers do not permit travel after 36 weeks (or 32 weeks if you are expecting multiples). Always let our team know about your pregnancy so we can check your specific airline’s conditions.
“Keep Medicines in Your Handbaggage
Always keep your essential prescriptions, daily medication, and medical documents in your carry-on luggage—never in your checked baggage.
Checked bags can occasionally be delayed or lost during transfers. Keeping your medication with you guarantees uninterrupted access to your health essentials, no matter what happens along the way.
Pro-tip: Keep medicines in their original packaging with clear pharmacy labels, and bring an English medical certificate from your doctor.
Stay Informed: Trusted Travel Health Resources
Because health guidelines change rapidly, we recommend checking these trusted, official international resources when preparing your trip:
- TravelDoc is an online verification system that allows airlines (and passengers) to check whether a passenger possesses the correct documentation for their journey.
- Sherpa is a guide to getting the right travel documentation and understanding up-to-date travel requirements. It is an independent resource.
- Visit the travellers FAQ page of IATA.
- For more information you can visit the website of the World Health Organisation.
Please Note: Your Journey, Your Responsibility
Health requirements, vaccination entry rules, and travel restrictions can change rapidly. Because of this, it is your personal responsibility to ensure you meet all health and entry criteria before you depart.
Please remember to check the official guidelines for your final destination and any countries you will be transferring through. Even during a short layover, transit countries may require specific health certificates or vaccinations.
We highly recommend consulting your national government’s foreign office website and the official embassies of your destinations for the most up-to-date rules. While our close-knit team is always here to think along with you, staying informed ensures your journey remains safe and worry-free.
Unsure About Your Health Prep or Transit Rules?
