Vaccination Considerations for Business Travelers
Vaccination Considerations for Business Travelers
Business travelers encounter issues similar to other types of travelers in terms of vaccine-preventable diseases. Some gaps in knowledge remain. For routine vaccines, tetanus–diphtheria–pertussis is currently recommended in the USA as a one-time dose, with tetanus–diphtheria recommended for the next vaccination. It is not yet clear whether the pertussis protection will be long lasting.
JE vaccination faces similar questions. While the duration of protection after the two-dose primary series of the Vero cell-derived vaccine is considered to be approximately 15 months, the longevity of protection after the booster is unknown. The protective period of a booster of Vero cell-derived vaccine following a series of the mouse brain-derived vaccine also remains to be explored.
A new inactivated YF vaccine is under development. Given the concern for YF vaccine-associated viscerotropic disease, the new vaccine may offer an alternative for business travelers for whom there are contraindications or precautions for the current live-attenuated vaccine.
An important question remains for corporate employers with respect to whether specific vaccines that apply to business travelers are cost effective. Additionally, more data are needed regarding disease risk in business travelers, which may vary depending on the specific types of business travelers. Finally, the cumulative risk decision-making approach should integrated into thinking about business and other repeat travelers. This approach is especially relevant for business travelers who travel frequently or who work in risk areas for longer durations. It is particularly relevant in making decisions about hepatitis B, JE and rabies vaccines.
Several dengue vaccines are undergoing clinical trials, and initial results look promising. Dengue infections are a common cause of fever in travelers who have visited tropical and subtropical regions, and a safe, effective, affordable vaccine would be welcome.
Malaria vaccines are also undergoing clinical trials. Although they aim to protect populations living in endemic areas, a safe and effective malaria vaccine may also benefit travelers to malarious areas.
Five-year View
Business travelers encounter issues similar to other types of travelers in terms of vaccine-preventable diseases. Some gaps in knowledge remain. For routine vaccines, tetanus–diphtheria–pertussis is currently recommended in the USA as a one-time dose, with tetanus–diphtheria recommended for the next vaccination. It is not yet clear whether the pertussis protection will be long lasting.
JE vaccination faces similar questions. While the duration of protection after the two-dose primary series of the Vero cell-derived vaccine is considered to be approximately 15 months, the longevity of protection after the booster is unknown. The protective period of a booster of Vero cell-derived vaccine following a series of the mouse brain-derived vaccine also remains to be explored.
A new inactivated YF vaccine is under development. Given the concern for YF vaccine-associated viscerotropic disease, the new vaccine may offer an alternative for business travelers for whom there are contraindications or precautions for the current live-attenuated vaccine.
An important question remains for corporate employers with respect to whether specific vaccines that apply to business travelers are cost effective. Additionally, more data are needed regarding disease risk in business travelers, which may vary depending on the specific types of business travelers. Finally, the cumulative risk decision-making approach should integrated into thinking about business and other repeat travelers. This approach is especially relevant for business travelers who travel frequently or who work in risk areas for longer durations. It is particularly relevant in making decisions about hepatitis B, JE and rabies vaccines.
Several dengue vaccines are undergoing clinical trials, and initial results look promising. Dengue infections are a common cause of fever in travelers who have visited tropical and subtropical regions, and a safe, effective, affordable vaccine would be welcome.
Malaria vaccines are also undergoing clinical trials. Although they aim to protect populations living in endemic areas, a safe and effective malaria vaccine may also benefit travelers to malarious areas.
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