Vaccination recommendations depend on age, previous doses, medical conditions, pregnancy or immunosuppression, occupation, travel and current public-health guidance. Healthway reviews the record before vaccination and confirms the appropriate vaccine, dose and timing.
Before vaccination
- Bring vaccination records, childhood booklets, travel certificates or photographs of previous records if available.
- Tell the clinician about previous severe vaccine reactions or known vaccine-component allergies.
- Mention pregnancy, planned pregnancy, immunosuppressive medicines, chemotherapy, biologic therapy or significant immune disorders.
- A mild acute illness is not usually a reason to postpone most vaccines, but moderate or severe acute illness may require individual assessment.
After vaccination
Short-lived soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle aches and fever can occur depending on the vaccine. Severe allergic reactions are rare but require immediate treatment.
Vaccination is individual
Not every available vaccine is required for every person. The clinician considers the expected disease risk, previous immunity, contraindications, precautions and the current national or travel recommendation.
Malta schedule and travel advice
The Maltese National Immunisation Service publishes the national vaccination schedule. Healthway’s Vaccination Calculator can help organise routine age-based schedule dates, while the Travel Health Advisor evaluates destination-specific issues.