"If you're planning a summer trip overseas, you may be preoccupied with booking airfare and finding lodging, but certain destinations require an extra step of planning: travel vaccines," says AFC Urgent Care. Medical travel needs are just, if not more, important as packing needs.

Some Americans may be turned off by the thought of an extra doctor's visit just to go on vacation, but it can save their lives. In 2018, there were a record number of measles cases in Europe, says AFC. Additionally, yellow fever is also a primary concern in South America, while hepatitis A is a concern throughout the world.

"You can protect yourself from all three of these illnesses (and more) if you get your shots in time," says Consumer Reports.

Medical Travel Needs: Vaccines

• Measles: one of the most infectious diseases in the world, spread through the air by coughing and sneezing. Measles results in a rash, fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes and, in rare cases, fatal brain swelling. Travelers going to Europe should make sure this vaccine is on their list 
• Yellow Fever: this sickness is spread via mosquito bites and makes hosts lethally ill 20% of the time. Medical travel steps are needed to get this vaccine for travelers to Africa and South America
• Hepatitis A: a virus spread through both the ingestion of contaminated food and physical contact with someone who is sick. The illness can result in liver disease. Travelers venturing to developing countries, especially rural ones, should add this vaccine to their medical travel planning
• Hepatitis B: spread by blood, semen, and other body fluids and causing liver disease and cancer. Asia, Africa, South America, and the Caribbean are the main hot spots for this virus, but it can be found worldwide
• Typhoid: this sometimes fatal sickness is contracted by ingesting contaminated food and water. The vaccine is necessary when traveling to under-​developed countries, particularly in South Asia
• Rabies: a traveler can easily become infected if bitten by an animal with the disease. Rabid dogs are problematic in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and infection almost always results in death

"Before any international trip, you should make sure you're up to date on all of your routine vaccines, not only measles-​mumps-​rubella (MMR) but also diphtheria-​tetanus-​pertussis (DTP), varicella (chickenpox), polio, and your yearly flu shot. Being current with your routine vaccines will give you the best protection against these illnesses."

According to AudienceSCAN, 20.2% of American adults plan to vacation outside of the U.S. within the next 12 months. However, they may not yet know what vaccines they should add to their medical travel checklist. Most of these travelers get their local news from the TV, newspaper, radio and magazines, and are also receptive to search, email and internet banner ads. They can be shown the importance of keeping up with their shots on these channels.

AudienceSCAN data is available for your applications and dashboards through the SalesFuel API. In addition, AdMall contains industry profiles on drug stores/​pharmacies, as well as lead lists at the local level. Media companies, sales reps and agencies can access this data with a subscription to AdMall from SalesFuel.