Pre-Travel Vaccinations and Malaria Prophylaxis for International Travelers.
International travel has increased dramatically the past decades, potentially posing health risks
at the level of traveler and the level of public health. Vaccine-preventable diseases and malaria
constitute a non-negligible proportion of imported infectious diseases to developed countries.
This is a short review of pre-travel advice regarding vaccination and malaria prophylaxis for international travelers to developing countries. Vaccination and malaria prophylaxis depend on a risk-benefit analysis, weighting the risk of the disease against the risk of possible side effects of the vaccine or antimalarial agent. Recommendations for vaccination and malaria prophylaxis are based on the epidemiological situation at destination, travel’s (e.g., destination, purpose and duration of travel) and traveler’s (e.g., demographics, medical history and past vaccinations) characteristics.
International travels may pose health risks for the individual and contribute to the global spread of infectious diseases. Vaccine-preventable diseases constitute a non-negligible proportion of imported infectious diseases to developed countries. GeoSentinel Surveillance Network data demonstrated that vaccine-preventable diseases accounted for 3% of febrile episodes among 6957 travelers who reported fever as a chief reason for seeking care after travel at a GeoSentinel clinic during 1997-2006.4 In this GeoSentinel study, typhoid fever, hepatitis A, and influenza A were the most common vaccine-preventable diseases among febrile travelers after returning mainly from a travel to a tropical or subtropical area.
In addition, pre-travel vaccinations most probably constitute the most common reason international travelers seek consultation for prior to their departure.5,6 Travel vaccines include a) routine vaccines which consist of vaccines incorporated in the national immunization programs, b) required vaccines which are necessary for entry into certain countries, and c) recommended vaccines whose recommendation depends on the risks of exposure at travel destination.
Public Health Open J. 2017; 2(1): 21-25.doi: 10.17140/PHOJ-2-116
