Vaccination in Travelers.

Vaccination of populations throughout the world has led to dramatic decreases in morbidity and mortality from many infectious diseases, including poliomyelitis and measles. In the United States, for example, morbidity and mortality from invasive disease from Haemophilus influenzae type b has decreased more than 99%. International travelers should ensure that they are up-to-date on their routine immunizations and then consider vaccination against other diseases based on risk. This article reviews new vaccines such as those against rotavirus, Lyme disease, and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and provides updated information on the risk of typhoid fever and the efficacy of vaccination against it. The use of hepatitis A vaccine in outbreak control, the safety of yellow fever vaccine, and the importance of protecting travelers against rabies exposure are also discussed. Vaccination is an important way for travelers to maintain their health before, during, and after travel.