Travel medicine consultation: An opportunity to improve coverage for routine vaccinations

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-Etienne), 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 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.