It's advisable to get any shots you need four to six weeks before your trip so that the vaccines can have time to take effect. Adults born after 1957 should get vaccinated for Measles, a highly contagious viral disease that is still prevalent in many countries and has seen outbreaks recently in Europe. Usually this shot is given together with Mumps and Rubella. Another advisable shot is for Hepatitis B, a viral infection of the liver, contracted through sexual contact and contact with infected blood, such as blood transfusions. If you plan to be in the countryside or in contact with wild animals, especially bats, you should get a rabies vaccine. Lastly, get a shot for Tetanus-Diptheria. Tetanus, or lock-jaw, occurs when a certain bacteria gets into a cut, and Diphtheria is an infection of the respiratory tract or skin caused by bacteria.
When visiting Croatia it's advisable to get a shot for Hepatitis A, a viral infection of the liver, acquired from direct contact with infected persons, food they have handled and contaminated water. After traveler's diarrhea, hepatitis A is the most common travel-related infection. Typhoid fever, acquired by ingesting food or water contaminated by a type of Salmonella bacteria, is passed easily when hygiene is poor, especially by people in the food service industry. Typhoid vaccination is not necessary for short-term travelers who restrict their meals to hotels and major restaurants, like business travelers.
There are only really two other concerns when traveling to Italy. Tick-borne encephalitis virus, which is spread by drinking unpasteurized milk from infected animals and by tick bites in the warmer months in southern European deciduous forests. Therefore, this mostly affects outdoor-type people, like hikers and campers. The other concern is Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease caused by sandfly bites in southern Europe. There are no vaccines for these two, just precautions, such as using insect repellant with at least 30 percent Deet, wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants and boots when hiking, and checking for ticks regularly.
