Where to get vaccinated in Hungary before going abroad

If traveling beyond the Schengen-zone is on your agenda in the coming months, it's worth making sure the only germ you've got is the travel bug.

There are multiple centers to get vaccinated against tropical viruses in Budapest. You can check here to find a complete list.

As a general rule, you should be vaccinated 6-8 weeks prior to departure, and chances are you don't need every shot. Check on travel advisories about what's recommended for the country you are going to. One place you can do so is on the United States travel advisory list by country, or at the individual embassy of a destination's headquarters in Budapest.

However, some vaccination centers can be more helpful than others. Hungarian adventurers have advised in web comments that the only place to get a shot against yellow fever is at the Országos Epidemiológiai Központ Nemzetközi Oltóközpont, otherwise known as the health center on Gyáli út, fourth on the list above.

Yellow fever vaccinations cost Ft 7,500 (€30), but considering the fever is of the nasty, difficult to diagnose type that can lead to death, or at best, irreparable organ damage, it sounds like it's worth the money. It's also required for any trip to sub-Saharan Africa. Other vaccinations range in price from Ft 4,000 - 5,000 (€15 - 20).

Travelers hoping to keep their mobile fees at a minimum until departure can make appointments online, here.

Conversely, if you've just returned and think you might have a worm in your stomach, or some other malady that could be a result of your recent tarry, contact doctors at Budapest's Szent László Hospital. They specialize in tropical illnesses and treatments and are available to give advice before travel as well as treat anything strange you've brought back with you.

But none of this means you won't get sick around here in the meantime; as they say, the best preventative medicine - and the cheapest - is just to wash your hands.

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