Have your child vaccinated with tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (DPT) five times before his or her sixth birthday, as ordered by your pediatrician.
Have your child vaccinated with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) at 12 to 15 months old, and again at 4 to 12 years old.
See your doctor if you are an adult who did not receive your childhood vaccinations. Your doctor will give you a series of shots, over an extended period of time, to build up your antibodies against tetanus, diphtheria and measles.
Receive a booster tetanus diphtheria (Dt) vaccine if it has been longer than 10 years since your last tetanus shot. Some doctors recommend having a booster every 5 to 10 years, but having booster shots too close together increases the likelihood of a hypersensitive reaction to the shot.
Learn proper wound care to avoid needing a Td booster shot in a foreign country, where dirty needles are a possibility.
Wash your hands frequently when traveling. Try to use an anti-microbial soap. But remember, friction is almost more important than the type of soap you use. Good scrubbing is the most effective weapon in hand washing. Try to carry a packet of moist towelettes with you wherever you go, and use them frequently.
Avoid unsanitary conditions or people who are visibly ill, especially ones with rashes and weeping sores.
