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Tag: immunization

Immunizations: Your Best Shot Against Infectious Diseases

Healthy Travel

Polio, yellow fever, cholera, malaria, and typhoid are not typical problems in the United States and most developed countries. But outbreaks are common in certain rural or undeveloped parts of the world.

Here’s what to do if you plan to travel outside the United States.

* Be sure you’ve been immunized against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, polio, measles, rubella, and mumps. Most people are routinely immunized against these diseases in childhood. You should have a booster shot for tetanus every ten years, however.

* Ask your doctor if he or she recommends medicine to prevent malaria or immunizations against influenza, pneumonia, or hepatitis.

* Contact your doctor or local health department to determine if you need to receive additional immunizations for your trip. Vaccination requirements for specific countries are also listed in the booklet, Health Information for International Travel-The Yellow Book, available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For information, call the CDC Travelers’ Information Line at 1.800.CDC.INFO (232.4636). Or accesswww.cdc.gov/travelon the Internet and select “Travelers’ Health.” You can find out what immunizations are advised for the places you are planning to go to. You can also find out about specific notices and outbreak advisories.

Most immunizations are not required, but are recommended to protect the health of the traveler. Under the International Health Regulations adapted by the World Health Organization (WHO), a country may, under certain conditions, require an International Certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever from international travelers. A copy of the International Certificate of Vaccination, CDC 731 (formerly PHS-731), may be purchased from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402,http://bookstore.gpo.gov, 1.866.512.1800.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Immunize Or Your Health Care Costs Could Rise

Medical Exams

Vaccines prevent many diseases that could have a costly impact, resulting in doctor’s visits, hospitalizations, and premature deaths. Sick children can also cause parents to lose time from work.

* Learn about vaccines you and your children need fromcdc.gov/vaccines.

* Find if and which vaccines are covered benefits of your health plan.

* Contact your local health department about its vaccine services.

* Find out about free or low-cost vaccines for kids from the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program atcdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/index.html.

* Beginning in early fall, read local papers and store ads to find out where flu shots will be given. Find out if and when flu shots will be given at work.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Get Vaccines To Prevent Measles

Skin Conditions

In January 2015, CDC issued a health advisory to notify public health departments and healthcare facilities about a multi-state outbreak of measles. The outbreak started at Disneyland in Dec., 2014. During that entire year, the CDC reported a record number of measles in the U.S. with 644 cases from 27 states. This is the greatest number of cases since measles was eliminated in the U.S. in 2000.

Why the rise in measles?

* The majority of the people who got measles did not receive vaccines.

* Measles is still common in many parts of the world including some countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa.

* Travelers with measles continue to bring the disease into the U.S.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. Coughs and sneezes spread the virus through the air. Measles starts with a fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and sore throat. A rash that spreads all over the body follows. About three out of 10 people who get measles will develop one or more serious problems including pneumonia, ear infections, or diarrhea. These problems are more common in adults and young children.

Guidelines for measles vaccines

Children should get 2 doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine:

* First Dose: 12-15 months of age. Some infants younger than 12 months should get a dose of MMR if they are traveling out of the country.

* Second Dose: 4-6 years of age

* If not given at these times, a two-dose series is needed for all school-age children and adolescents.

Adults born after 1956 should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine, unless they can show that they have either been vaccinated or had all three diseases.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Vaccinations For Adults

SELF-CARE CORNER

Do you think shots are only for kids? Actually, there are several important vaccines you need as an adult.

Vaccinations protect yourself from disease, but also protect people around you. Young babies who aren’t yet vaccinated or people with weak immune systems can benefit from your vaccination. You will be less likely to spread an illness, such as whooping cough, to someone who is more likely to get sick.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Ask your doctor about which vaccines you may need at your next well visit.

Adults may get shots for a variety of reasons:

* You need to be vaccinated for something that affects adults, such as the flu.

* You need boosters of vaccines you got as a child. This is because many vaccines start to lose their protection over time.

* You didn’t receive the complete set of vaccines in your youth and want to be protected now.

The CDC says that all adults should get:

*Influenza vaccine.This helps prevent influenza, or the flu. You get this every year.

*Td vaccine.This protects you from tetanus and you should get one every 10 years.

*Tdap vaccine instead of Td vaccine (one time only).This protects against tetanus and diphtheria plus whooping cough (pertussis). Pregnant women should get the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy.

*Pneumonia vaccine.This helps prevent certain bacteria that can cause pneumonia. Ask your doctor when you should get this vaccine.

*Shingles vaccine.This can prevent shingles, a painful rash that can develop from a previous chickenpox infection.

Other shots may also be recommended for you. Not every adult needs the same vaccines. Some will depend on your past vaccines, your age, lifestyle and health. Talk with your doctor about whether you need other shots.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026