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Government of Canada

Statement from the PHAC (Public Health Agency of Canada)

"When travelling outside of Canada, you may be at risk for a number of vaccine preventable illnesses.  You should consult a Health Care Provider or visit a Travel Health Specialist preferably 6 weeks before you travel.  You may need additional vaccines depending on your age, planned travel activities and local conditions.  Preventing disease through vaccination is a lifelong process."

TRAVEL HEALTH SPECIALIST (THS)

Travel Health Specialists have in-depth knowledge of immunizations, risks associated with specific destinations, and the implications of travelling with underlying conditions. Therefore, a comprehensive consultation with a Travel Health Specialist is indicated for ALL travellers and is particularly important for those with complicated health history, special risks (such as travelling at HIGH ALTITUDES, or working in REFUGE CAMPS), or Exotic and Complicated Itineraries.

Table 2-01. Information necessary for a risk assessment during pretravel consultations

Health Background
Past medical history
  • Age
  • Sex
  • Underlying conditions
  • Allergies (especially any pertaining to vaccines, eggs, or latex)
  • Medications
Special conditions
  • Pregnancy (including trimester)
  • Breastfeeding
  • Disability or handicap
  • Immunocompromising conditions or medications
  • Older age
  • Psychiatric condition
  • Seizure disorder
  • Recent surgery
  • Recent cardiopulmonary event
  • Recent cerebrovascular event
  • History of Guillain-Barré syndrome
  • Severe allergies
Immunization history
  • Routine vaccines
  • Travel vaccines
Prior travel experience
  • Experience with malaria chemoprophylaxis
  • Experience with altitude
  • Illnesses related to prior travel
Trip Details
Itinerary
  • Countries and specific regions, including order of countries if >1 country
  • Rural or urban
Timing
  • Trip duration
  • Season of travel
  • Time to departure
Reason for travel
  • Tourism
  • Business
  • Visiting friends and relatives
  • Volunteer, missionary, or aid work
  • Research or education
  • Adventure
  • Pilgrimage
  • Adoption
  • Seeking health care (medical tourism)
Travel style
  • Independent travel or package tour
  • Propensity for "adventurous" eating
  • Traveler risk tolerance
  • General hygiene standards at destination
  • Modes of transportation
  • Accommodations (such as tourist or luxury hotel, guest house, hostel or budget hotel, dormitory, local home or host family, or tent)
Special activities
  • Disaster relief
  • Medical care (providing or receiving)
  • High altitude
  • Diving
  • Cruise ship
  • Rafting or other water exposure
  • Cycling
  • Extreme sports
  • Spelunking
  • Anticipated interactions with animals
  • Anticipated sexual encounters