Physicians, government agencies, school systems, child care centers and pharmacists all make recommendations and requirements to various groups of people for getting vaccinated. When you arrive at the clinic or office of a health care provider, you are expressing trust in them that they have handled the vaccines properly. Inadequate vaccine storage and handling can render the vaccine less effective or even useless, thereby putting you at risk of disease. Understanding the standards for proper vaccine management can help you choose your health services wisely.

Proper Vaccine Storage

Federal health authorities in the United States have developed protocols for proper vaccine storage. These protocols are in use throughout North America and the rest of the world. The vaccine storage guidelines include the following:

• Refrigerated vaccines should be stored at 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Frozen vaccines should be stored at a temperature range of -58 degrees Fahrenheit to 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Refrigerator and freezer temperatures should be recorded twice a day, in the morning and at night.
• If the refrigerator or freezer temperature is ever out of range, local health authorities or the vaccine manufacturer should be contacted. They will need to know the duration of time the vaccine spent out of the ideal temperature range.

Vaccine Handling Standards

Once a vaccine is taken out of its storage area, it needs to be handled properly. This includes maintaining a cold chain as well as other factors, including:

• Keeping portable vaccine containers shut as much as possible
• Using gel packs or frozen water bottles when transporting vaccines off-site
• Using motorized portable refrigerator units for vaccine storage when out in the field
• Using a calibrated thermometer to check temperatures of vaccine when off-site
• Rotating vaccine supplies to avoid expiration of expensive vaccines or accidental administration of expired vaccine
• Properly reconstituting and distributing multi-dose vaccine vials
• Transporting vaccines in the vehicle’s passenger cabin rather than the trunk
• Avoiding the use of dry ice when transporting vaccine
• Placing vaccine into a recommended storage unit as soon as possible after transportation

How to Make Sure the Vaccines You Receive Were Handled Properly

When you’re getting a vaccine, you have the right to know how it was stored and handled. You may want to ask to see the temperature logs or the expiration date of the product. You may also inquire about the calibration of the thermometer used to take the temperature in the storage unit. Other questions to ask include whether there is a backup power supply in case of loss of electricity, what is done with vaccines that experience a temperature excursion, and the maintenance record of the refrigerator or freezer where the vaccine was stored.

Getting Vaccinated

Before you embark on an international trip, travel vaccinations can help you develop immunity to infectious and contagious diseases endemic or in the process of an outbreak at your destination. Passport Health travel health clinics offer vaccinations to international travelers. The travel health specialists adhere to national guidelines for proper vaccine handling and storage, so you can rest assured knowing the vaccine you receive is effective and safe. Passport Health travel health specialists also offer guidance on packing first aid supplies, sunscreen, mosquito repellant, over-the-counter and prescription medications, and water purification kits to help you stay healthy during your travels.

A recent study released by Pediatrics has shown that while vaccination against the human papilloma virus (HPV) is highly recommended many individuals are not receiving the necessary protection because many doctors were not making the needed recommendation. Of those surveyed, 44% said that their children had not been vaccinated because no physician had offered to do so.

“The most common reason for non-vaccination,” says the article, “was never being offered the vaccine (44%); many stated they would have accepted the vaccine if offered.” In some cases parents would opt to delay the vaccination due to their child’s age. However, Pediatrics notes that this generally led to no vaccination at all. “Most providers and parents who delayed vaccination at age 11 or 12 years did so with the intention that the child would receive the vaccine later. In many cases, however, vaccination never occurred.”

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection and is so common that nearly all sexual active men and women get it at some point in their lives. The virus is spread through vaginal, anal or oral sex and can be passed when an infected person has no signs or symptoms. Anyone who is sexually active can contract the HPV and symptoms may not develop until years later making it difficult to know when one first became infected.

Usually, HPV goes away on its own but, in some cases, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer. Vaccination is highly recommended. However, according to the Pediatrics study, most doctors and parents felt the vaccine was unnecessary to even suggest due to age or lack of sexual activity. “HPV could lead to more serious health issues down the line,” says Vicki Sowards, Director of Nursing Resources for Passport Health, “Even if a person isn’t sexually active yet it is still recommended that they be vaccinated. Boys and girls, men and women, it’s important that everyone know the risks and takes the necessary precautions to prevent problems later in life.”

The HPV vaccination provides lifelong protection meaning that boys and girls 12-years and older should be vaccinated whether they are sexually active or not. The CDC estimates that about 79 million Americans are infected with HPV and that 14 million more are infected each year. About 21,000 HPV-related cancers could be prevented annually by simply vaccinating against the virus.

To find Passport Health locations as well as travel health information, please visit www.passporthealthusa.com, or call 1-877-499-PASS(7277).

For some people, a gluten-free diet isn’t just a fad, it’s a lifestyle. Celiac disease affects one in every one-hundred people and can suck the fun out of traveling to exotic destinations. But, you can’t just let a pesky wheat allergy get between you and a dream trip! Here are our Ten Tips for going gluten-free.

1) Pick the right room – Finding something to eat that is gluten-free can sometimes be dicey overseas. There may not be anywhere around where you can find something to eat that you can be sure is okay. Having a little kitchenette in your hotel room can help with this problem. You might spend a little more, but it will be well worth it in the long run.

2) Don’t go it alone – A gluten allergy can be a little embarrassing. Sometimes, people get offended if they offer you something and you refuse. Avoid this problem by letting everyone know that you have a problem. Don’t be afraid to tell friends, family and whoever else might be around that you have some dietary restrictions. It will make everyone’s trip much more enjoyable, especially yours!

3) Beware the snack attack! – Finding gluten-free snacks can be tough, especially if you are in a foreign country. One of the best options is to bring an extra suitcase with your favorite gluten-free foods to enjoy while you’re away. It will help you stay healthy, and, if you get a little homesick, it will help in that department too.

4) Call ahead – When it comes to restaurants, you never know what you might be getting into. This is why you should bring snacks and have a kitchen available. But, what can help even more is calling ahead and finding restaurants that can suit your needs. In countries where you don’t speak the language, this can be hard. Luckily, most restaurants have websites, and there is a little program called Google Translate to help you find a gluten-free option almost anywhere.

5) Don’t fear the waiter – If you end up going to a random restaurant, don’t be afraid to ask questions! Many celiac societies offer pre-printed allergy cards in the language of the country to which you will be traveling. For a nominal fee, you can cross that ever difficult divide and not leave your stomach lost in translation.

6) Go ethnic! – Local fare can be just as gluten-free as those snacks in your suitcase! Many places use much less wheat in their diets than we do in ours in North America. Feel free to try something new but…

7) Know where you’re going – A baguette might be new to you, but it still has wheat in it. Do your research before you travel to find out what you can and can’t eat. For example, in Peru, you should be fine having almost any cuisine, with the exception of aji de gallina which sometimes uses a wheat-based product in its sauce.

8) Ask around – Depending on where you are going, there may be a celiac support group in the area. If there is, go ahead and ask them where to eat and where not to eat. The hotel concierge can also help. Unless you’re going to the deep Amazon or a remote island in the Pacific, you probably aren’t the first gluten-free person to have a few questions.

9) Watch for contamination! – Just because that local snack looks good doesn’t mean that it is going to feel good in a few hours. Be sure to check labels and do everything you’d normally do when coming across a new food. Additionally, be careful of which restaurant you chose to go to. Cross-contamination can be just as much a problem as a Mexican wedding cookie.

10) Have fun! – We can’t stress this enough! – Just because you have an allergy doesn’t mean you should be the bubble boy or girl. Don’t be afraid to try new things, but always be safe! You’re going to be on vacation, so relax and enjoy. Just don’t forget to send us a postcard before you leave your happy place!

For more information and support for your unique travel health needs, feel free to visit our website at passporthealthusa.com or schedule an appointment by calling 1-888-499-PASS.

What challenges and solutions do you face with your gluten allergies or other food sensitivities? Tell us about them below!

Brazil is taking a radical step forward in eliminating its dengue fever problem: releasing thousands of mosquitos. But, before you think that the country has lost its mind, know that these aren’t regular mosquitos. The British biotech firm Oxitec has genetically modified the bugs to prevent them from spreading the disease.

Oxitec’s plan is simple. The genetically modified strain is male only, and these mosquitoes will seek out a female mate. Their offspring inherit the genes that ensure they cannot spread dengue fever. These offspring die before reaching maturity. Perhaps even more interesting is that the strain contains a gene that leaves a florescent marker on the mosquito, so researchers can easily track the spread of the strain.

The hope is that enough mosquitos will find mates and be able to create enough dengue fever free offspring to reduce the number of cases throughout the country. As of now, Brazil is the international leader in dengue fever cases.

Trials have shown that the release of the dengue-free males into areas have greatly reduced the population of mosquitos and, in some cases, have even eliminated mosquitoes from the area.

Brazil is the first nation to allow the release of these genetically modified mosquitoes, but successful trials have been carried out in varying locations throughout the world. Brazilian officials are hoping to lower the number of dengue fever cases before the Olympics are held there in 2016. India is also currently working with Oxitec to produce a similar program.

No studies show what the long-term effects of these types of programs could be on ecosystems, but it is certain that they will help curtail dengue fever in the short term. There is also the exciting possibility of using this methodology to reduce the spread of malaria.

Dengue fever is a disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitos. It can be fatal if untreated, and it affects as many as 400 million people annually, according to CDC estimates.

For more information on dengue fever and what you can do to prevent it in your travels, contact a Passport Health Travel Specialist via our website or by calling 1-888-499-PASS (7277).

If you have been following the news, you may have heard of a recent outbreak of a specific enterovirus, D68, which has been making waves in the health community. According to the CDC, enteroviruses are very common viruses causing intense cold-like infections in 10 to 15 million people each year. However, it is this specific, rare strain that has been causing severe respiratory illnesses and even deaths in children in the US this year. Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has cropped up every year with documented cases, but causing concern this year as an unprecedented number of children are being admitted to the hospital for treatment. Read on to learn more about this strain and how you can keep your family healthy!

Enterovirus D68 – The Details

EV-D68 is one of more than 100 strains of non-polio enteroviruses, causing mild to severe respiratory illness. Mild symptoms include runny nose, fever, coughing, sneezing and body aches. More severe symptoms, such as wheezing and difficulty breathing, may also be present. The virus is found in an infected person’s saliva or nasal secretions, and is spread by person-to-person contact (sneezing, coughing, or touching a contaminated surface).

The enterovirus season hits a peak in September, after which it declines in the fall months. There is no specific treatment for enteroviruses. Mild symptoms are managed with over-the-counter medications, and severe symptoms may require hospital care. Most people recover well from enteroviruses.

Who is At Risk?

Typically, infants, children, and teenagers are at greatest risk. This is because they haven’t developed immunity to previous exposures to these viruses. From this recent outbreak, health officials have also identified children with existing respiratory illnesses – such as asthma – to have higher chances of developing the more severe symptoms of EV-D68. Adults that contract the enterovirus will often have mild to no symptoms.

EV-D68 can only be diagnosed from specific lab tests. Many hospitals can test for enterovirus infections, but only the CDC and other health departments can test for specific strains, like EV-D68. Only children with severe respiratory distress and confirmed enterovirus infection will be further tested to find out if they are carrying this particular strain.

What We Know About the Recent Outbreak

Starting in mid-August to October 3, the CDC has confirmed a total of 538 people in 43 states to have contracted EV-D68. It seems that this strain is the predominant one this season, which is puzzling to health officials as it hasn’t caused widespread (and severe) illness prior to this year. Missouri and Illinois were the first states to document the increase in severe respiratory illnesses caused by EV-D68. Almost all of the confirmed cases of EV-D68 have been children, many of which have a history of asthma. The CDC and local health departments are continuing to investigate the deaths of four children, most likely from EV-D68; samples have been taken for testing and the investigation is ongoing.

Staying Healthy

The start of the new school year is likely playing a role in the spread of the enterovirus. Encourage your children to wash their hands with soap, cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing with a shirt sleeve (not hands), and avoid those that are sick. Additionally, if your children are unwell, keep them at home to prevent further spread of illnesses. Ensure that children with asthma have their inhalers close at hand and monitor them for exacerbated wheezing. If your child develops severe respiratory symptoms, especially wheezing, take him or her to your physician for a visit.

If you are traveling domestically with your children and want to stay up-to-date on this outbreak or have other health questions/concerns, be sure to visit your local Passport Health clinic!

What are your thoughts on the EV-D68 outbreak? Let us know in the comment section below!

Sources:
ABC News: Respiratory Virus Hits Kids
CDC: Enterovirus Overview
CNN: Virus sends hundreds to hospital