Protecting yourself abroad
Guidelines and tools to also ensure your health and safety outside Italy
A guide for the entire university community that is about to organise a mobility period abroad
The “Health and safety protection protocol for activities carried out abroad” explains how best to organise your mission abroad, considering not only the work you will be carrying out, but also the geopolitical, social and health contexts. The document provides guidelines for whoever is taking part in the mission and those approving their participation. It helps to both understand the risks and how to address them in the best way possible.
A doctor at the Health Centre will sort the requests and consider whether it is necessary to take blood samples to check for anti-bodies and any existing protection.
Reasons for prophylaxis
Vaccinations and blood tests may be needed:
for the prevention of significant “professional” risks (e.g. in the case of fieldwork by veterinary and medical doctors, archaeologists, biologists etc.). In this case, the cost of the vaccinations and any tests will be carried by the University Occupational Health Centre;
for public health and hygiene reasons, as specified by the destination country (e.g. the USA and the UK require meningococcal vaccinations). In this case, requests for blood tests must be made personally by the travellers concerned, or their GPs, and booked (some are free) via CUP - the central booking service - or carried out privately. The vaccinations needed can be booked by the Occupational Health Centre doctor, on a priority basis, using the above procedure.
Fees
Vaccination costs will be covered by those requiring the prophylaxis and possibly reimbursed by the project or University funds (if applicable).
In both cases, the Occupational Health Physicians can provide guidance and information.
Contact details
For information on vaccination prophylaxis, contact the professional Occupational Medicine Unit Tel: +39 051 2084076 or +39 051 2084079 E-mail: servmedlav.medicinadellavoro@unibo.it
For travel outside Europe, it is strongly recommended to take out travel health insurance.
Those wishing to do so, can subscribe to the University Travel Policy. Available online by activating different products, according to specific procedures.
Staff
For all University of Bologna staff engaged in institutional activities abroad, insurance cover can be activated independently online. Additional information, the policy documentation and activation links are available on the University Intranet.
Students
Participants in international mobility projects can independently activate their insurance cover online.
Those participating in an Erasmus Mundus have a dedicated policy in compliance with specific EU requirements, which can be activated on an IT platform operated by individual departments.
For additional information, contact the Insurance Contract Management Office