Vaccines, Travel

Prior to international travel, there are a number of safety and health-related risk factors travelers must consider and prepare for to prevent potentially dangerous disease exposures. With appropriate prevention techniques, the likelihood of developing disease is decreased. One such technique is the administration of both routine and recommended vaccinations. Vaccines are not 100% effective, however, and their administration should be complemented with other safety measures, such as food and water precautions, insect bite prevention, and safe-sex practices. This entry reviews the need for protection against vaccine-preventable disease in travelers, general guidelines for vaccine administration, and specific vaccines both recommended and required for travelers. Information used for this submission includes published guidelines, clinical trials, and review articles.