Y T Aba1, A Gagneux-Brunon2, C Andrillat3, P Fouilloux4, F Daoud3, C Defontaine3, F Lucht5, E Botelho-Nevers5. 1. Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales, Centre de vaccinations internationales et conseils aux voyageurs, CHU de Saint-Étienne, 42055 Saint-Étienne, France; Service de santé publique et de maladies infectieuses, université Alassane Ouattara, Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire; Groupe immunité des muqueuses et agents Pathogènes - GIMAP EA 3064, université de Saint-Étienne, Université de Lyon, 42270 Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France. 2. Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales, Centre de vaccinations internationales et conseils aux voyageurs, CHU de Saint-Étienne, 42055 Saint-Étienne, France; Inserm, CIC 1408, 42055 Saint-Étienne, France; Inserm, F-CRIN, Innovative clinical research network in vaccinology (I-REIVAC), 75679 Paris, France; Groupe immunité des muqueuses et agents Pathogènes - GIMAP EA 3064, université de Saint-Étienne, Université de Lyon, 42270 Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France. Electronic address: amandine.gagneux-brunon@chu-st-etienne.fr. 3. Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales, Centre de vaccinations internationales et conseils aux voyageurs, CHU de Saint-Étienne, 42055 Saint-Étienne, France. 4. Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales, Centre de vaccinations internationales et conseils aux voyageurs, CHU de Saint-Étienne, 42055 Saint-Étienne, France; Inserm, CIC 1408, 42055 Saint-Étienne, France; Inserm, F-CRIN, Innovative clinical research network in vaccinology (I-REIVAC), 75679 Paris, France. 5. Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales, Centre de vaccinations internationales et conseils aux voyageurs, CHU de Saint-Étienne, 42055 Saint-Étienne, France; Inserm, CIC 1408, 42055 Saint-Étienne, France; Inserm, F-CRIN, Innovative clinical research network in vaccinology (I-REIVAC), 75679 Paris, France; Groupe immunité des muqueuses et agents Pathogènes - GIMAP EA 3064, université de Saint-Étienne, Université de Lyon, 42270 Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Travelers may be responsible for the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases upon return. Travel physicians and family physicians may play a role in checking and updating vaccinations before traveling. Our aim was to evaluate the vaccine coverage for mandatory and recommended vaccination in travelers attending a travel medicine clinic (TMC). METHODS: Vaccine coverage was measured using the current French immunization schedule as reference for correct immunization, in travelers providing a vaccination certificate during the TMC visit (university hospital of Saint-Étienne), between August 1, 2013 and July 31, 2014. RESULTS: In total, 2336 travelers came to the TMC during the study period. Among the 2019 study participants, only 1216 (60.3%) provided a vaccination certificate. Travelers who provided a vaccination certificate were significantly younger than travelers who did not (mean age: 34.8±17.8 vs. 46±18.4 years, P<0.005) and were less likely to be Hajj pilgrims. Vaccine coverage against Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Poliomyelitis (Td/IPV vaccine) was 91.8%, 78.6% against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), and 59.4% against Viral Hepatitis B (HBV). BCG vaccine coverage was 71.9%. Older travelers were less likely to be correctly vaccinated, except against HBV as vaccinated travelers were significantly older than unvaccinated travelers. CONCLUSION: Obtaining information about immunization in travelers is difficult. Coverage for routine vaccines should be improved in this population. Travel medicine consultations could be the opportunity to vaccinate against MMR, HBV, and Td/IPV.
BACKGROUND: Travelers may be responsible for the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases upon return. Travel physicians and family physicians may play a role in checking and updating vaccinations before traveling. Our aim was to evaluate the vaccine coverage for mandatory and recommended vaccination in travelers attending a travel medicine clinic (TMC). METHODS: Vaccine coverage was measured using the current French immunization schedule as reference for correct immunization, in travelers providing a vaccination certificate during the TMC visit (university hospital of Saint-Étienne), between August 1, 2013 and July 31, 2014. RESULTS: In total, 2336 travelers came to the TMC during the study period. Among the 2019 study participants, only 1216 (60.3%) provided a vaccination certificate. Travelers who provided a vaccination certificate were significantly younger than travelers who did not (mean age: 34.8±17.8 vs. 46±18.4 years, P<0.005) and were less likely to be Hajj pilgrims. Vaccine coverage against Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Poliomyelitis (Td/IPV vaccine) was 91.8%, 78.6% against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), and 59.4% against Viral Hepatitis B (HBV). BCG vaccine coverage was 71.9%. Older travelers were less likely to be correctly vaccinated, except against HBV as vaccinated travelers were significantly older than unvaccinated travelers. CONCLUSION: Obtaining information about immunization in travelers is difficult. Coverage for routine vaccines should be improved in this population. Travel medicine consultations could be the opportunity to vaccinate against MMR, HBV, and Td/IPV.