Branson Times

June 07, 2022

Travel Vaccinations

Stone County Health Department (SCHD), 

Summer is upon us and once again people are beginning to think about travel and summer vacations plans.  Some are traveling again for the first time since the pandemic.  The Covid-19 vaccine and pandemic has made people more mindful of the need to have certain immunizations before they travel.  As a nurse with Stone County Health Department, I recently had the opportunity to attend a seminar on travel vaccines with Dr. Wilbur Chen, an adult infectious disease physician-scientist with a specific interest in travel medicine.  Travel medicine is the treatment and prevention of infections from international travel.   Dr. Chen is on staff at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Travel Medicine Practice. Chen recommends several different vaccines prior to travel.  These recommendations are dependent on where you may be traveling and if the visit will involve a simple resort vacation, an extended stay with family or visit that may involve disaster relief or mission trips.  

First, Dr. Chen recommends that everyone, regardless of travel, be up to date on their Tetanus shot.  A Tetanus immunization is recommended for all adults every ten years.  We offer the combination Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis vaccine at the Health Department by appointment at both SCHD locations. 

Dr. Chen also encourages Yellow Fever, Malaria and Japanese Encephalopathy vaccines when traveling to areas where mosquitos may be of concern.   These infections are all caused by mosquito bites.  Which vaccine you may need is really dependent on which country you may be traveling to.  The CDC has information on their website regarding which countries are endemic for each of these infections. 

Next, you should consider a prophylactic Rabies vaccine if you are going on a trip where you might be exploring or handling animals or animal samples.  For example, adventure hiking through the jungle or cave exploration.   This vaccine consists of a 3-dose series that offers protection in the event of an animal bite.  This vaccine is a suggestion, not a requirement.  It is best discussed with your primary doctor.  

If traveling Sub-Sahara Africa, an area known as the “meningitis belt” a Meningococcal vaccine is recommended.  This infection is passed from person to person with oral or respiratory secretions.  Saudi Arabia requires this immunization for entry to the country.  

Lastly, Typhoid and Cholera are spread by contaminated food and water.  Again, these are vaccines that should be considered if the traveler is planning an extended stay away from normal tourist cities and resorts.  They are highly recommended for those going on mission trips, emergency management or disaster relief trips or visiting where they will be living or working in less than sanitary conditions for extended periods of time.  

As always, your Primary Care Physician is your best source of information for travel vaccines.  Stone County Health Department offers several of these vaccines. Please call 417-272-0050 or visit one of our locations in Branson West or Galena for more information.  For more information in regards to travel vaccines, visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/travel-vaccines.html

Respectfully submitted,

Felicia Beasley, RN, BSN, BJ 

Staff RN, Stone County Health Department

Original source can be found here.