VACCINE INFORMATION
WE DO NOT PROVIDE INSURANCE
PRE-AUTHORIZATION. MANY INSURANCE COVERAGES DO NOT ALLOW YOU TO
PURCHASE THE NUMBER OF PILLS YOU WILL NEED FOR YOUR ENTIRE TRIP.
YOU SHOULD SPEAK WITH THEM PRIOR TO FILLING YOUR PRESCRIPTION.
IF YOU CANNOT RECEIVE ALL THE PILLS YOU NEED FROM YOUR INSURANCE,
THEN WE RECOMMEND YOU BUY THE REMAINING AMOUNT YOU WILL NEED IN
ORDER TO PREVENT A LAPSE IN PROTECTION.
HEPATITIS "B" - Spread primarily sexually. If
you will be having "hands-on" - medical mission work,
adopting children, caring for people in institutions, etc., you
should consider this vaccine. It is spread through blood and other
bodily fluids. The 3-dose series protects for life. Disease confers
immunity. Everyone should have this complete series even if there
are no plans to travel.
INFLUENZA - Recommended during the flu season, particularly
if traveling on airplanes. Annual vaccination gives best protection.
Those >65 years, 6 months -through 23 months of age, those
with chronic diseases, pregnant women and immune compromised persons
are particularly at risk and should consider an annual dose even
if not traveling.
IPV - (Inactivated POLIO Vaccine) - Only a few areas of
the world continue to have wild-virus polio disease. These are
primarily the sub-Saharan areas of Africa, occasionally Somalia,
India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and a small number of other 3rd world
countries. Individuals whose original polio series was not completely
comprised of all oral doses (typically people in mid 30's and
older) and who plan to be in contact with children in the areas
described should consider one dose of the IPV vaccine. Polio is
air-borne, spread through the respiratory system.
*JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS - Mosquito-borne. Recommended for
individuals who will be living and working in rural/agricultural
areas for extended periods in southern India and temperate regions
of Southeast Asia. Primary transmission is nighttime. The average
traveler is not at risk. Use Malaria precautions. Special order
vaccine. 3-dose series. Protection is approximately 2 years.
MALARIA - Mosquito-borne disease. Having had the disease
in the past does NOT confer immunity. No vaccine is currently
available.
Transmission peak - primarily dusk to dawn in rural, low-lying,
jungle or forested areas. (*India has Malaria in all areas, including
cities.)
Anything that prevents mosquito bites prevents Malaria - good
insect repellent, light colored clothing, covering exposed skin
with clothing sprayed with insect repellent, good window screen/A/C,
mosquito netting, being as fragrant free as possible - unscented
lotions, deodorants, fabric softeners, etc.
MENONUME - (meningitis vaccine) - Primary risk for mosquito-borne
disease is "Meningitis Belt" (sub-Saharan Africa) from
December through June. Some incidence in Delhi, India and Mecca
area of Saudi Arabia. Due to air-borne spread of disease, close
contact with indigent populations for prolonged periods warrants
vaccination. Protection is 2-5 years.
MMR - (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) - Not a typical travel
vaccine, however, all these diseases are highly contagious and
outbreaks can occur without notice. If you have not had the disease,
you should consider vaccination. Two doses protect a lifetime.
It is a live-virus vaccine. Pregnant women or those planning to
be pregnant within one month, immuno-suJune 10, 2008 eggs should not take this vaccine. Disease convers
protection.
PNEUMONIA - Recommended for adults 50 and older and those
with chronic disease even if you are not traveling. One dose at
age 65 and older, or 2 doses at a five year interval for those
receiving 1st dose at under 65 years of age. Minimal side effects.
TYPHOID - Greatest risk in areas of sub-standard sanitation.
Spread through highly contaminated food and water, particularly
raw vegetables and salads, through fecal/oral contamination. Protection
- injectable vaccine lasts 2 years and must be at least 2 years
of age to receive. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years and must be at least
6 years of age to receive.
YELLOW FEVER - Mosquito-borne; transmission peak is dusk
to dawn. Primarly necessary in South America and African countries.
Documentation is required. Protection lasts ten (10) years. Risk
is greatest in rural, low-lying, jungle, forested areas. Higher
elevations, usually above 2500 meters, are not at risk. Contraindicated
for immuno-suppressed individuals, pregnant women, or those with
egg allergy. Must be at least 9 months of age to receive.
VZV - Varicella (chicken pox) - Highly contagious disease.
Most hospitalizations and deaths related to disease are among
those 30 and older. Disease confers protection. Must be at least
12 months of age to receive vaccine. 12 months through 12 years
- one dose; 13 years of age and older - 2 doses, one month apart.
A live-virus vaccine and is contraindicated in immuno-suppressed
individuals, pregnant women, or those with egg allergy.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
CHOLERA - fecal/oral contamination. Comes from extremely
contaminated food and water with fecal matter. The average traveler
never sees or comes into contact with this disease. This disease
continues to thrive worldwide, primarily in extremely socio-economically
depressed areas. In its most severe form, Cholera is characterized
by extreme diarrhea and vomiting, however, it responds very well
to fluid replacement therapy and antibiotics. CDC does not recommend
the vaccine due to its poor efficacy.
DENGUE FEVER - mosquito-borne with transmission at all
hours of day and night. Currently no vaccine available. Use mosquito/malaria
precautions.
MALARIA - mosquito-borne. Disease does not confer immunity.
No vaccine currently available. Transmission peak primarily dusk
to dawn in rural, low-lying, jungle or forested areas. India has
malaria even in cities. Protection comes in the form of pills
taken before, during and after travel. Good insect repellent is
recommended. If you will stay in accommodations that have poor
window screening and/or no air-conditioning, consider investing
in a mosquito net. These are available at sporting goods outlets
and are inexpensive. Covering exposed areas with clothing is an
excellent idea - long pants instead of shorts. Dark colors attract
mosquitoes - wear light colored clothing. Flowery, fruity, sweet
scents attract mosquitoes. Try to be as fragrant-free as possible.
Avoid using scented deodorants, shampoos, hairsprays, fabric softeners,
and lotions. Leave your perfumes and colognes at home!
WE DO NOT PROVIDE INSURANCE PRE-AUTHORIZATION.
MANY INSURANCE COVERAGES DO NOT ALLOW YOU TO PURCHASE THE NUMBER
OF PILLS YOU WILL NEED FOR YOUR ENTIRE TRIP. YOU SHOULD SPEAK
WITH THEM PRIOR TO FILLING YOUR PRESCRIPTION. IF YOU CANNOT RECEIVE
ALL THE PILLS YOU NEED FROM YOUR INSURANCE, THEN WE RECOMMEND
YOU BUY THE REMAINING AMOUNT YOU WILL NEED IN ORDER TO PREVENT
A LAPSE IN PROTECTION.
