"FIT to FLY"
Vaccinations

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and can lead to hospitalization and death. Every year in the United States, millions of people are sickened, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized and thousands or tens of thousands of people die from the flu.

Anyone can get the flu (even healthy people) and serious problems related to the flu can happen at any age, but some people are a higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick. This includes people 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease), pregnant women, and young children.

The best way and most important step to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year. CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu vaccine each year. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.

Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles starts with a cough, runny nose, red eyes, and fever. Then a rash of tiny, red spots breaks out. It starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body.

Measles can be prevented with MMR vaccine. The vaccine protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. CDC recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. Teens and adults should also be up to date on their MMR vaccination.

Vaccines are available that can help prevent diphtheria, an infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria. Four kinds of vaccines used today protect against diphtheria, all of which also protect against other diseases:

Diphtheria and tetanus (DT) vaccines
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccines
Tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccines
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccines
Babies and children younger than 7 years old receive DTaP or DT, while older children and adults receive Tdap and Td.

CDC recommends diphtheria vaccination for all babies and children, preteens and teens, and adults. Talk with your or your child’s healthcare professional if you have questions about diphtheria vaccines.

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a crippling and potentially deadly disease. It is caused by the poliovirus. The virus spreads from person to person and can invade an infected person’s brain and spinal cord, causing paralysis (can’t move parts of the body).

Polio can be prevented with vaccine. Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is the only polio vaccine that has been given in the United States since 2000. It is given by shot in the arm or leg, depending on the person’s age. Oral polio vaccine (OPV) is used in other countries.

CDC recommends that children get four doses of polio vaccine. They should get one dose at each of the following ages:

2 months old
4 months old
6 through 18 months old
4 through 6 years old
Almost all children (99 out of 100) who get all the recommended doses of polio vaccine will be protected from polio.

The Hepatitis A virus is present in faeces and can be spread from person to person, but it’s usually caught by consuming contaminated food or water. Those traveling to places where sanitation is poor need to be especially aware of the risk of infection.A vaccination can help to reduce the risk, but it’s also vital to be scrupulous about personal hygiene. Be careful what you eat and drink, and wash your hands after using the toilet and before handling or eating food (including ice). Vaccination consists of two doses, the second dose being a booster, given 6-12 months after the first. This booster provides LONG-TERM immunity (at least 25 years).

Hepatitis B. This serious infection of the liver is common in many parts of the world, especially SE Asia, where up to 10% of the local population may be carriers. It’s caught via contact with contaminated blood – including sharing needles, blood transfusions or inadequately sterilised equipment – and intimate sexual contact.Immunisation is available, especially if they’re likely to be at increased risk through work or other activities.Vaccination consists of 3 vaccines given over a period of time (the shortest being 3 weeks, on days 0,7 and 21).

Rabies occurs throughout the world, with most deaths taking place in developing countries, such as those in south-east Asia. In the UK, most cases occur in quarantined animals and people infected abroad.It’s usually contracted through being bitten or scratched by an infected mammal, such as a bat, dog, cat or fox. The incubation period is normally two to eight weeks, but can be as long as two years and as short as 1 week. A vaccine is available to inoculate travelers against rabies.Each year, 15 MILLION people need treatment for a suspected rabid exposure (normally a bite or scratch by a dog), with around 60,000 deaths per year. SE Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America are “hot spots” for rabies exposure risk.The difficulties in accessing post-exposure treatment (known as Human Rabies Immunoglobulin (HRIG)) has made the pre-exposure vaccination even more important. rabies is invariably FATAL, with less than 10 known survivors in history.Vaccination consists of 3 vaccines given over 3-4 weeks, and affords protection for 5 years. the vaccine is not live and does not go “into the stomach”. This is often the most important vaccination consideration for backpackers and travelers to remote or rural parts of SE Asia, Africa and South America.