Recently, Will and I visited Passport Health to make sure our vaccinations were in order for an upcoming trip. We had assumed that all the shots we got for Peru two years ago would be sufficient but, as it turns out, some need to be repeated fairly often while others are good for life. Here is a list of common travel vaccinations for adults and how long they protect you from the CDC Website:

Japanese Encephalitis: Full duration of protection unknown. Neutralizing antibodies may persist at least 2 years after primary immunization.

Hepatitis A (HAV): Booster not recommended for adults and children who have completed the primary series (2 doses) according to the routine schedule.

Hepatitis B (HBV): Booster doses of vaccine are not recommended for adults and children who have completed the primary series (3 doses) according to the routine schedule.

Influenza: 1 annual dose (children 6 months to 9 years of age should receive 2 doses separated by at least 4 weeks the first time that influenza vaccine is administered). Live attenuated influenza vaccine is approved only for healthy non-pregnant persons 5 through 49 years of age (2).

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): 2 doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 4 weeks or other evidence of immunity (such as serologic testing) is recommended for persons born after 1956 who travel outside the United States (3). Re-vaccination is not recommended.

Meningococcal Quadrivalent A,C,Y, W-135: Re-vaccination after 5 years is recommended for persons who received meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine and who remain at increased risk for meningococcal disease (including some international travelers). Re-vaccination is not recommended after receipt of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (4).

Pneumococcal (polysaccharide): One-time re-vaccination 5 years after original dose for persons with certain underlying medical conditions (such as asplenia), or persons who were first vaccinated at younger than 65 years of age.

Rotavirus: No booster dose recommended. Maximum age for any dose of rotavirus vaccine is 32 weeks.

Polio (IPV): A single lifetime booster dose is recommended for adults who have written documentation of having completed a primary series.

Rabies: Preexposure vaccine No serologic testing or boosters recommended for travelers. For persons in higher risk groups, such as rabies laboratory workers, serologic testing and booster doses are recommended.

Tetanus/diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap): Tetanus and diphtheria booster dose is recommended every 10 years. A single dose of adolescent/adult formulation Td that includes acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) is recommended to replace one Td booster dose for persons 11-64 years of age.

Typhoid Oral: Repeat series every 5 years.

Typhoid IM: Booster dose every 2 years.

Varicella: Re-vaccination is not recommended.

Yellow Fever: Repeat vaccination every 10 years.

Of course, you should always check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about vaccinations, especially if you have other health issues or are travelling with a child. You can also find more information about what shots are recommended for the area you intend to travel on the CDC travel website or by visiting a travel doctor or Passport Health location near you.

Now that summer is approaching and many of you are planning sunny vacations, I hope I don’t have to tell you to stock up on sunscreen. If you have any doubt about the dangers of UV rays, head to a Coppertone DermaPhoto Booth for a free UV photo which will assess the sun damage your skin has sustained to date. The booths will be popping up at participating Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, CVS and Walgreen’s stores across the U.S. through August. Check out Coppertone’s website to find one close to you.

Coppertone DermaPhoto Booth on Tour

Travel can be difficult for those in the best of shape, but for the disabled it creates special challenges. That said, where there is a will, there is a way and I have seen plenty of physically challenged individuals exploring remote locales.

Candy Harrington, an avid traveler and the leading expert on accessible travel, recently released a handy guide called “101 Accessible Vacations: Travel Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers”. The book gives accessibility details for a variety of trips from cruises to family adventures. Candy also includes tips and favorites for each location.

$16.47 Amazon.com

Source: National Geographic Traveler

We’re used to removing our shoes when we go through airport security but that doesn’t mean we enjoy it. Who knows what germs are lurking on that dirty airport floor? Although most airports don’t provide foot covers, they are allowed. According to TSA rules, disposable booties are legal as long as you throw them away before leaving the security area. Many travel companies have been releasing such products and selling them for around $10 for a pack of 10 but hardware and safety supply stores carry shoe covers for much less. I bought 100 of these covers for just $6.47 and they work great on shoeless feet.

$8.99 Star Safety

On a recent shopping trip, I stopped to buy a contact lens travel case. Even though they are small, simple plastic containers, they normally cost between $5-$6 per case. As I reached for one, I noticed that Renu, a popular brand of lens products, was selling a “travel kit” which included not only a travel case but a 2oz bottle of cleaning solution for under $3! I was able to get my case and some cleaner for half the price of a case alone!

If you wear contact lenses, and I recommend it over traveling with glasses everywhere, check out these new “travel kits” being sold as you may find a great deal.

No matter where your travels take you, you won’t get very far without clean water. When we find ourselves in places where the tap water isn’t safe to drink and bottled water isn’t readily available, the SteriPEN could literally be a lifesaver.

Just hold the SteriPEN into a glass of water and push a button to send purifying ultraviolet rays through the liquid. Forty seconds later, it’s ready to drink!

$99.00 Magellan’s

Source: Sky

Next time you are feeling under the weather while traveling, you may be able to pay a visit to an airport medical clinic. AeroClinic has begun opening quick care medical offices in U.S. airports. Patients are seen on a first come, first served basis and a typical consultation lasts 15 minutes. Prescriptions and some routine vaccinations are available on site. This is not the place to go if you are having a medical emergency, but for allergies or a stomach virus it could be a smart quick, stop to pick up some medication before continuing your journey.

Currently, clinics are open in the Atlanta and Philadelphia airports with more locations are planned for 2008. Additionally, the company will be opening AmeriClinics with the same type of setup and services in grocery stores and pharmacies all over the U.S. which may come in handy for people who fall mildly ill while visiting a new city.

AeroClinic

Source: Sky

Many people have special needs when it comes to eating because of things like religion, health and allergies. As a vegetarian traveller, I know how frustrating it can be to explain your diet to a waiter that doesn’t speak the same language as you. I can usually get by if I learn how to say “I don’t eat meat” or “vegetarian” but there are often misunderstandings. For someone with a life threatening food allergy, there is no room for error.

Allergy Translation, a web based Canadian company, offers a great solution. For just $8.00 Canadian (currently about $8.15 U.S.) you can choose from 175 allergies and 11 special diets and print out a travel card translated into one of 21 different languages. The card is credit card sized and you can print unlimited copies. More languages are coming soon.

Printing an Allergy Alert Card is easy, inexpensive and could literally save your life.

Allergy Translation

Source: Global Traveler

Next time you are planning a trip, head over to tripprep.com where you’ll find the latest health and safety information for over 220 countries. The site requires registration but is completely free and will tell you everything you need to know to travel smart to your selected destination. It also gives you access to a list of medical providers in the area you are visiting.

All lot of people are interested in travel insurance but are unsure of where to start and what their coverage options are. At Insuremytrip.com you can type in your trip information and you’ll be presented with a range of policies to compare from different providers.

You can read my post about travel insurance and when you should considering buying it here.

Source: Travel and Leisure