Before you embark on your next adventure, it is extremely important that you take the necessary steps to keep yourself safe. What many travelers might not realize is every region of the world offers new health risks. That can come from different animals, insects, bacteria or a lack of medical help within the area.

Before that trip, one of the most important steps is to make sure that you have received the proper vaccines to protect from those illnesses.

This can seem like an intimidating and time-sucking process that deters some people from even traveling in the first place. But, it doesn’t have to be!

Here’s how you can get the vaccines you need in an easy and safe way.

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We already know one key thing that the rotavirus vaccine brings to the table: it prevents rotavirus.

The illness causes gastroenteritis, or the stomach flu. While a dangerous bout with the stomach flu can cause problems for anyone, children are at the greatest risk. That’s because gastroenteritis is most harmful for infants and young children. The virus can cause symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration. With bodies that are less resilient, children may also need hospitalization.

So, any vaccine that prevents such a virus already offers on helpful perk.

But, the rotavirus vaccine may also offer some help with diabetes.

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Last August, the Democratic Republic of Congo saw the second largest outbreak of Ebola in history. To date, the outbreak has infected over 2,100 people and killed over 1,300.

But, even with those jarring numbers, the most dangerous development could be its recent spread to Uganda. The country’s fears of the virus spreading came true when the virus took the life of a 5-year-old boy.

The outbreak has not stopped or slowed down since it began in the DRC last year. So long as this continues, officials say the chances of it spreading to other neighboring countries will increase.

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In the past, doctors have largely believed that bacteria has been the cause of most pneumonia cases. While the flu has often been linked to the disease, bacteria within the environment was long considered the root of pneumonia. Although, new research shows that viruses are actually the cause of most cases.

Pneumonia often resembles bronchitis with its symptoms, causing a lung infection, cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. But, without treatment, these symptoms can become life-threatening. People of all ages are susceptible to the infection, but it can be treated with medication and prevented with a vaccine.

Every year, pneumonia kills almost 1 million children. This new research could be vital in understanding what causes pneumonia and how to prevent these deaths from occurring.

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In recent years, hepatitis A has been increasing across the United States. After an initial outbreak in San Diego, other parts of the country found increased cases of the disease.

As cases increased, so did recommendations to receive the vaccine. Recent changes to the hepatitis A vaccine appear to coincide with that same dangerous rise in the disease.

The changes come after the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met on June 28. The new hepatitis A recommendations isn’t the only change. The ACIP also agreed on new recommendations for the meningitis B vaccine.

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