Traveling is among the things we most look forward to each year, but there’s one thing one should never forget when planning a vacation and that is getting all your vaccines in order. Besides beauty and excitement, foreign and exotic locations also bring with them a risk of contracting disease not common in the US.
Outbreaks Are More and More Common
Unfortunately, the anti-vaccination movement in the US has made it possible for once practically eradicated disease to pop up again. For example, Contagion Live [1] covered a break-out of measles in Washington State’s Clark County where a public health emergency was declared due to an outbreak.
This highly contagious illness is preventable with vaccines, but those who have it and spread it might not even know they’re doing so. According to the CDC, in 2019 we had 16 measles outbreaks with almost 350 cases in 26 states. [2]
Unfortunately, the World Health Organization reports that more and more people are opting out of vaccines, which is a huge risk to public health. [3] Unvaccinated travelers can pick up measles abroad, bring it home, and put their communities at risk. In fact, more than 80 Americans traveling in 2018 brought measles back with them, which is the highest number since 1998. [4]
Types of Travel Vaccines
It’s not enough to get your regular vaccinations; you might also have to update some of them. Before going abroad, check your vaccination history with your physician.
According to the CDC, [5] there are three types of vaccines for those that want to travel:
1. Routine Vaccines are recommended for every resident in the US. They are given at a certain age, health condition, and for some risk factors, but overall, you get them before starting school. Besides that, you might need to get annual vaccines for the flu or a tetanus booster.
2. Required Vaccines are what you have to get if you want to enter a specific country. An example of this is a yellow fever vaccine, but each country will list which ones you need to get.
3. Recommended Vaccines are the ones the CDC suggests you take before visiting some countries, even if those same countries don’t require them.
Which Travel Vaccines Should I Get?
Which vaccines you should get really depend on where you are going. Your first step is to check the list of required vaccines for your destination and whether you already have some of them or if you require a booster. Also, consider that the vaccines you need might differ if you’re going into the country to camp as opposed to staying in a city.
The CDC recommends various routine vaccinations for all U.S. travelers. [6] They include shots for things like polio, hepatitis A/B, typhoid, cholera, meningitis, Japanese encephalitis, and so on. You might also need malaria medication, for example.
Conclusion
Whether you need renewals, boosters, or vaccines, you will need to plan for them in advance. You can get them through your doctor, local clinics, or travel clinics. Luckily, insurance will cover most vaccinations, but some are expensive and might require out-of-pocket payment. Remember to ask around and look for vaccine discounts to save money.
[1] https://www.contagionlive.com/news/travel-associated-measles-outbreaks-on-the-rise-in-us
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html
[3] https://www.contagionlive.com/news/infectious-diseases-dominate-whos-list-of-2019-health-threats
[4] https://www.contagionlive.com/news/travel-associated-measles-outbreaks-on-the-rise-in-us