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Immunizing Children for International Travel
Exploring the World Safely with Your Children
By Johnathon Allen
Of course, many of the diseases confronted by a globe-trotting family are likely to be spread through food and waterborne microbes. The unpleasant but mostly benign "traveler's diarrhea," and the more dangerous life threatening infections like E. Coli, salmonella, and hepatitis are all spread through contaminated food and water. Therefore, healthy explorers the world over should heed the traveler's motto: "Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it."
Dr. Chapnick suggests that "children and nursing or pregnant mothers should pay meticulous attention to their food and beverage choices. Drink only bottled water or carbonated drinks, avoid food from vendor stalls, and wash your hands often."
Families planning to tour beyond the borders of North America should also check to ensure that their health insurance policy will protect them while in other countries. It's also a good idea to obtain the phone numbers for English speaking medical experts before you depart.
To view an extensive listing of the recommended, and often required, vaccinations for travel to around the world visit the CDC's Web site.
Families can also check for pertinent information and guidelines on the CDC's toll-free hotlines:
- National Immunization Hotline (English) 1-800-232-2522
- National Immunization Hotline (Spanish) 1-800-232-0233
- Traveler's Health 1-877-394-8747
"We have spent a lot of time researching the issue and discussing it with our pediatrician," says Rachelle. "It's really important that we are in control of making an informed decision about where and when to vaccinate. We want to make sure Amani's journey around the world is as safe and enjoyable for her as it is for us."