A travel insurance firm has urged individuals to get properly vaccinated this holiday period, as thousands get ready to jet off to seek warmer climes.

The group has targeted families and party goers who are going on a search for the winter sun in exotic and unfamiliar locations, to be well prepared.

Travellers visiting tropical countries need to take extra precautions that they are protected against diseases such as typhoid fever, yellow fever, hepatitis and diphtheria.

The call from the group comes after a new survey found that more than half of British tourists don’t know which countries they need vaccines for.

Of the 2,023 adults surveyed, 56 per cent did not know which countries they required jabs for, 36 per cent couldn’t remember when they were last vaccinated and 31 per cent were unaware of what they had already been vaccinated against.

A spokesperson from the insurance company said: “Getting the correct vaccinations before going abroad is essential to protect yourself against illness and disease. Not only are travellers risking their health but they also risk invalidating their travel insurance should they fall ill and require medical attention as a direct consequence of having not been vaccinated.

“The best advice is to book an appointment at your surgery well in advance of travelling as the NHS will provide vaccinations for travel abroad free of charge.

“It is also important also to remember that vaccines are not 100 per cent effective all of the time. Travellers should take all the usual precautions and not assume immunity just because they have been vaccinated.”

Experts warn holiday goers

Insurers nationwide have urged vacationers jetting off to be insured correctly and vaccine up.Holiday illnesses generally lead to travel insurance claims, which can in turn boost premiums for the traveler in the future.

However, correct use of vaccinations lowers the chances of the holidaymaker having to make the claim in the first place.

Rachel Croft, head of Travel Insurance at a popular postal service, said: “People should check out the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice [before travelling] to make sure they do have the necessary vaccinations.

“There are some situations where, if you were ill abroad and you haven't taken malaria tablets, the insurance company would say that you should have taken those tablets and won't pick up that claim.”

Dr Peter Swinyard further stated the need for correct vaccination. He said that because travel has become so accessible, many forget the importance of health.

“People often come back feverish and when asked if they took malaria tablets, they say ‘why would I do that?’” Dr Swinyard said.

“[They] are getting so used to travelling abroad for their holidays that it is not a special thing to do anymore. People book online or through a travel agent, but the thought of their health doesn't even cross their minds,” he concluded.