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Before traveling consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to obtain recommendations and an up-to-date travel advisory based on the likelihood of encountering certain diseases in a particular location. Note: A travel advisory is subject to change and should be consulted prior to making overseas travel plans. Planning to travel takes time and special preparation. Listed in the directory below are some considerations that will need to be made before you travel, for which we have provided a brief overview.
Before you travel, the following checklist will help you to prepare for a safe and healthy trip.
- Schedule an appointment with your physician well in advance of your trip.
- Have necessary immunizations for your destination.
- Check insurance coverage for travel abroad.
- Have your insurance information cards and claim form with you.
- Obtain a letter from your physician regarding your health history, medications, allergies, and immunization records.
- Have an emergency release form.
- Complete the inside page of your passport with important identification and emergency contact information.
- Have an ample supply of medication in original, labeled containers. Do not use pill cases or other unlabeled containers.
- Carry along extra prescriptions, as well as a letter from your physician explaining your need for the drug, as some countries have strict laws regarding narcotics.
- Carry along the generic names of your medications as pharmaceutical companies overseas may use different names from those in the United States.
- If you wear eyeglasses, take an extra pair with you.
- As an extra precaution, pack extra eyeglasses and medication in carry-on luggage in case checked baggage is lost.
- Consider wearing a "medical alert" bracelet if you have allergies or reactions to medications, insect bites, certain foods, or other unique medical problems.
- Pack a travelers' first-aid kit for on-the-road emergencies.
- Discuss with your physician how you will take medication as you cross time zones.
See vacation / travel articles left by visitors of Vacationspree.com, detail vacation savings and valuable travel tips.
Travel Vaccination
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Hotline |
CDC's International Travelers' Information Line. Listen to recorded messages on diseases specific to international travel by calling toll-free (877) 394-8747. |
Website |
Traveler's Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Look up the vaccination requirements for your travel destination, get the latest updates on international outbreaks, link to further reference materials and websites, and more. www.cdc.gov/travel |
Website |
Vessel Sanitation Program Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/default.htm |
Website |
International Society of Travel Medicine Information on travel clinic locations in your area and more. Or call (770) 736-7060. www.istm.org |
Website |
American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene This professional association's website includes a travel clinic directory of members who specialize in travel and tropical medicine. www.astmh.org |
Website |
Travel Health Online (Shoreline, Inc.) Information on vaccines required for international travel, diseases that may be encountered abroad, and other travel-related topics. www.tripprep.com |
Web page |
WHO position papers on vaccines www.immunize.org/who/index.htm |
Certificate |
International Certificate of Vaccination order form www.who.int/bookorders/MDIbookPDF/Book/11800005.pdf |
Bulletin |
"Safety and Health During International Travel" A Technical Information Bulletin from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration designed to help international business travelers. Source: U.S. Occupational and Health Administration (OSHA) www.osha.gov/dts/tib/tib_data/tib20020412.pdf Call OSHA at (202) 693-2095 for a mailed copy. |
Online book |
International Travel Health Guide Written by S.R. Rose, MD, this book provides information on a variety of travel health issues. It can be read online or purchased. Source: Travel Medicine, Inc. www.travmed.com |
Online book |
Health Information for International Travel (The Yellow Book) The Yellow Book is published every two years by CDC as a reference to those who advise international travelers of health risks. It is written primarily for health care providers, although others might find it useful. You can download it for free or order a hard copy from the Public Health Foundation by calling (877) 252-1200. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/travel/yb/index.htm |
Online book |
International Travel and Health This book is a WHO publication that offers guidance on the full range of health risks likely to be encountered at specific destinations and associated with different types of travel--from business, humanitarian, and leisure travel, to backpacking and adventure tours. The advice is intended to help the health care professional be aware of potential risks and to offer appropriate advice, whether this concerns vaccinations, protection against insects and other disease vectors, or safety in different environmental settings. The book is available online only to allow for regular updates. World Health Organization www.who.int/ith |
Book |
Travel & Routine Immunization--A Practical Guide for the Medical Office A handy book with extensive information on immunization recommendations for travel. For more information call (800) 433-5256 or visit Shoreland's website. Source: Shoreland, Inc. www.shoreland.com/prodserv/tri.html |
Journal |
Emerging Infectious Diseases www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid |
Journal |
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) www.cdc.gov/mmwr |
Journal |
Weekly Epidemiological Record www.who.int/wer/en |
| Journal Articles |
| 2/15/06 | Hepatitis A Virus Infection in Travelers, 1988-2004 Authors: Mutsch M, Spicher VM, Gut C, Steffen R Source: Clin Infect Dis, February 15, 2006, Vol. 42(4):490-7 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 10/05 | Travel-Related Hepatitis B: Risk Factors and Prevention Using an Accelerated Vaccination Schedule Author: Keystone JS Source: Am J Med, October 2005, Vol. 118(Suppl 10A):63S-68S Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 10/05 | Changing Travel-Related Global Epidemiology of Hepatitis A Author: Steffen R Source: Am J Med, October 2005, Vol. 118(Suppl 10A):46S-49S Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 10/05 | United States Epidemiology of Hepatitis A: Influenced by Immigrants Visiting Friends and Relatives in Mexico? Author: Jong EC Source: Am J Med, October 2005, Vol. 118(Suppl 10A):50S-57S Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 10/05 | Hepatitis A Vaccine in the Last-Minute Traveler Author: Connor BA Source: Am J Med, October 2005, Vol. 118(Suppl 10A):58S-62S Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 5/27/05 | "Travel by Air: Health Considerations" Source: Weekly Epidemiological Report, May 27, 2005, Vol. 80(21):181-191 www.who.int/wer/2005/wer8021.pdf |
| 4/05 | "’I hate needles’ and Other Factors Impacting on Travel Vaccine Uptake" Authors: Crockett M, Keystone J Source: J Travel Med, April 2005, Vol. 12(Suppl 1):S41-6 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 4/05 | "Rabies as a Traveler’s Risk, Especially in High-Endemicity Areas" Author: Meslin RX Source: J Travel Med, April 2005, Vol. 12 (Suppl 1):S30-40 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 4/05 | "Meningococcal Disease in International Travel: Vaccine Strategies" Authors: Wilder-Smith A Source: J Travel Med, April 2005, Vol. 12 (Suppl 1):S22-29 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 4/05 | "Overlapping Epidemiologies of Hepatitis A and Typhoid Fever: The Needs of the Traveler" Authors: Luxemburger C, Dutta AK Source: J Travel Med, April 2005, Vol. 12 (Suppl 1):S22-29 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 11/04 | "International Travel: Recommendations for the HIV-Infected Patient" Authors: Spacek LA, Quinn TC Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports, October 2004, Vol. 6(5):399-403 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 10/04 | "Preparing Children for Travel to Tropical and Developing Regions" Author: Christenson JC Source: Pediatric Annals, October 2004, Vol. 33(10):676-684 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 7/01/04 | "Travel Immunizations" Authors: Lo Re V, Gluckman SJ Source: American Family Physician, July 1, 2004, Vol. 70(1):89-99 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 7/04 | "Hepatitis A in Hispanic Children Who Live Along the United States-Mexico Border: The Role of International Travel and Food-Borne Exposures" Authors: Weinberg M, Hopkins J, Farrington L, Gresham L, Ginsberg M, Bell BP Source: Pediatrics, July 2004, Vol. 114(1):e68073 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 6/25/04 | "Progress Toward Global Eradication of Poliomyelitis, January 2003--April 2004" Source: MMWR, June 25, 2004, Vol. 53(24):532-535 www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5324a5.htm |
| 4/09/04 | "Multistate Investigation of Measles Among Adoptees from China --- April 2004" Source: MMWR Dispatch, April 9, 2004, Vol. 53(Dispatch):1-2 www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm53d409a1.htm |
| Mar-April 2004 |
"An Estimate of the Incidence of Hepatitis A in Unimmunized Canadian Travelers to Developing Countries" Author: Teitelbaum P Source: J Travel Med, March-April 2004, Vol. 11(2):102-106 Click here for abstract |
| 3/26/04 | "Brief Report: Imported Measles Case Associated with Nonmedical Vaccine Exemption--Iowa, March 2004" Source: MMWR, March 26, 2004, Vol. 53(11):244-6 www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5311a6.htm |
| 1-2/04 | "Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Travel-Related Infectious Diseases: The European Airport Survey" Authors: Van Herck K, Van Damme P, Castelli F, et al. Source: Journal of Travel Medicine, January-February 2004, Vol. 11(1):3-8 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| Jan-Feb 2004 |
"Travel Health Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Among United States Travelers" Authors: Hamer DH, Connor BA Source: J Travel Med, Jan-Feb 2004, Vol. 11(1):23-26 Click here for abstract |
| Jan-Feb 2004 |
"Travelers' Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases: Results from a Study at Johannesburg International Airport" Authors: Toovey S, Jamieson A, Holloway M Source: J Travel Med, Jan-Feb 2004, Vol. 11(1):16-22 Click here for abstract |
| Jan-Feb 2004 |
"Travel Health Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Among Australasian Travelers" Authors: Wilder-Smith A, Khairullah NS, Song JH, et al Source: J Travel Med, Jan-Feb 2004, Vol. 11(1):9-15 Click here for abstract |
| 1/23/04 | "Measles Outbreak Associated with an Imported Case in an Infant--Alabama, 2002" Source: MMWR, January 23, 2004, Vol. 53(02):30-3 www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5302a3.htm |
| 1/09/04 | "Fatal Respiratory Diphtheria in a U.S. Traveler to Haiti-Pennsylvania, 2003" Source: MMWR, January 9, 2004, Vol. 52(53):1285-6 www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5253a3.htm |
| 12/01/03 | "Vaccinations for the Pediatric Traveler" Author: Mackell SM Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases, December 1, 2003, Vol. 37(11):1508-1516 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 10/03 | "Current Immunizations for Travel" Authors: Kirkpatrick BD, Alston WK Source: Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases, October 2003, Vol. 16(5):369-374 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 9/03 | "A Review of the Combined Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B Vaccination for Travelers" Author: Spira AM Source: Clinical Therapeutics, September 2003, Vol. 25(9):2337-2351 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 4/03 | "A Large Outbreak of Influenza A and B on a Cruise Ship Causing Widespread Morbidity" Authors: Brotherton JM, Delpech VC, Gilbert GL, et al Source: Epidemiology and Infection, April 2003, Vol. 130(2):263-271 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 2/03 | "Viral Hepatitis in International Travellers: Risks and Prevention" Author: Khuroo MS Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, February 2003, Vol. 21(2):143-152 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 2/03 | "Vaccination Priorities" Authors: Steffen R, Banos A, deBernardis C Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, February 2003, Vol. 21(2):175-180 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 2/03 | "Travel Epidemiology-A Global Perspective" Authors: Steffen R, Banos A, deBernardis C Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, February 2003, Vol. 21(2):89-95 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 11/08/02 | "Yellow Fever Vaccine. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2002" Source: MMWR Recommendations and Reports, November 8, 2002, Vol. 51(RR-17):1-11 www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5117a1.htm |
| 11/08/02 | "Adverse Events Associated with 17D-Derived Yellow Fever Vaccination-United States, 2001-2002" Source: MMWR, November 8, 2002, Vol. 51(44):989-993 www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5144a1.htm |
| 11/02 | "Risk of Hepatitis A Infection Following Travel" Authors: Ciccozzi M, Tosti ME, Gallo G, et al Source: Journal of Viral Hepatitis, November 2002, Vol. 9(6):460-5 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 7/15/02 | "Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine for Travelers: Exploring the Limits of Risk" Authors: Shlim DR, Solomon T Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases, July 15, 2002, Vol. 35(2):183-8 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 4/19/02 | "Fatal Yellow Fever in a Traveler Returning from Amazonas, Brazil, 2002" Source: MMWR, April 19, 2002, Vol. 51(15):324-5 www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5115a2.htm |
| 1/01/02 | "Meningococcal Disease and Travel" Author: Memish ZA Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases, January 1, 2002, Vol. 34(1):84-90 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 12/01 | "Inadequate Protection Against Yellow Fever of Children Visiting Endemic Areas" Authors: Potasman I, Pick N, Stringer C, Zuckerman JN Source: American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, December 2001, Vol. 65(6):954-7 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 11/01/01 | "Travel Vaccines and Elderly Persons: Review of Vaccines Available in the United States" Authors: Leder K, Weller PF, Wilson ME Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases, November 1, 2001, Vol. 33(9):1553-1566 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 10/15/01 | "Risk of Travel-Associated Tuberculosis" Author: Rieder HL Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases, October 15, 2001, Vol. 33(8):1393-6 Click here for PubMed abstract |
| 3/02/01 | "Influenza B Virus Outbreak on a Cruise Ship-Northern Europe, 2000" Source: MMWR, March 2, 2001, Vol. 50(8):137-140 www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5008a1.htm |
| 1/09/98 | "Rubella Among Crew Members of Commercial Cruise Ships-Florida, 1997" Source: MMWR, January 9, 1998, Vol. 46(52):1247-1250 www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00050783.htm |
