10 Things Every Employer Should Know About Vaccinations
In the US, it is estimated that travel-related illnesses cause over $650 million in lost productivity.
A routine travel health visit could save your employee from contracting a long-term or deadly disease. Travel medicine is critical to ensure an employer’s biggest investment: their employee.
50% of all travelers to a developing country will experience health issues.
Every month, at least 100,000 people travel to developing countries and over 50,000 will experience health problems. Business travelers are at a higher risk of contracting an unknown disease and spreading it to un-vaccinated individuals.
Routine vaccines are just as important for business travelers.
Childhood vaccines can wear off over time and due to age, career, lifestyle, travel or health conditions, adults risk contracting a vaccine-preventable disease. Adults should be sure they are current on the latest recommended vaccines and include proper protective gear if traveling to a risk-prone area.
Diseases that were eliminated in the US are present in many foreign countries.
Diseases like typhoid and polio still affects millions of people worldwide. Other diseases, like Japanese Encephalitis, is common throughout Asia but not in the United States.
The CDC maintains a travel health site.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created a site for Traveler’s Health which details destination travel notices, a disease directory, resources for travelers, and tips for staying healthy.
The CDC has an app for that.
The CDC TravWell app helps users plan for international travel with a fully customizable to-do list and packing list. Travelers can build a trip to search for destination-specific vaccines and medicine recommendations.
Employees should obtain vaccines 4 – 6 weeks prior to departure.
Many travel vaccines require multiple shots and take time to become effective.
Certain vaccines are required before a visitor enters another country.
Travel vaccines protect against diseases spreading to a country without protocols in place to fight it. Many countries require documentation to verify vaccination before allowing travelers entry into the country.
Yellow fever vaccine has to be given at an authorized vaccine center.
Travelers receive an International Certificate of Vaccination that has to be shown as proof to enter certain countries. The certificate isn’t valid until 10 days after vaccination.
10% of international travelers receive pre-travel health care before traveling.
An effective travel health program vaccinates and educates employees about the current risks within their destination.
To ensure you and your employees are prepared for international travel, be sure to consult with one of Concentra’s expert travel health specialists. Our certified travel health nurses can provide recommendations and information on diseases and current health issues specific to your exact destination.