With international travel to more exotic locations becoming increasingly popular, clinicians are finding it necessary to become familiar with current recommendations for travel health safety. Immunizations are a “hot topic” of pre-travel preparation discussions, and they offer one of the best ways to reduce the risks of infections in travelers. A wide spectrum of safe, efficacious vaccines is available, which can help international travelers prevent many of the serious diseases that are absent or uncommon in their home areas. Travel vaccines generally fall into three categories: (1) routine immunizations, which are typically administered during childhood but which may need to be updated; (2) required immunizations, which are necessary for entry into certain countries; and (3) recommended immunizations, which may be useful, depending on the risks of exposure at the travel destination.
Advising travelers on vaccine-preventable diseases is increasingly becoming the responsibility of the primary care physician. The approach to vaccine recommendations should be based on a thorough assessment of the risks for travel-related illnesses, the time available before trip departure, and current knowledge of the epidemiology of vaccine-preventable diseases. Practitioners should also take into account the adverse events and contraindications associated with each vaccine.
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PRE-TRAVEL IMMUNIZATIONS
Posted: under Anti-Infectives.
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