Despite what you may think, your childhood immunizations wont carry you through adulthood. You could be at risk and not even know it. Learn about  adult immunization.




Polio is not a disease of the past. It is still a very real threat and being properly vaccinated against Polio is more important now than ever.



As travel expenses go down, destination weddings and honeymoons are becoming more popular. See what Africa has to offer.



The annual trek to Mecca for Hajj is one that is significant to many practicing Muslims worldwide. It is very important to stay safe and healthy during this pilgrimage.

Are you at risk for a vaccine-preventable disease?

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has published guidelines on vaccinations for adults. However, these guidelines won’t help if you don’t discuss vaccination with your healthcare provider or vaccine specialist. It’s as simple as asking, “Am I at risk for any vaccine-preventable illnesses, and can I get vaccinated?” We must take responsibility for our own personal health, but also consider the health of our community at large. Let’s stop vaccine-preventable disease, one shot at a time.

By: Karmell J. Macoretta, MSN, ANP-BC
and Joanna Daeschner, RN, MS
Passport Health of Western New York

The risk continues. Parts of West Africa, the Indian sub-continent, Indonesia, and the Arabian Peninsula are reporting cases. Additionally there have been sporadic outbreaks of wild polio virus in the Philippines, and the Caribbean associated with transmission following direct fecal contamination. Although often associated with the young, older generations who never received the vaccine, did not complete the series, or did not receive an adult booster are most at risk.

All adults and adolescents traveling to polio endemic regions of the world should have a booster if more than ten years have elapsed since the last vaccination for polio. Children traveling to endemic areas can have polio vaccine as early as 6 weeks of age.

Nineteen fatalities due to polio have been reported in the Republic of Tajikistan. Related cases have been reported in the Russian Federation. The virus was thought to be eradicated in 2002 in these areas and has resurfaced. New data on emerging cases will drive the need for a return to mass inoculations. Recently, the European Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication met in Denmark with a renewed proclamation for monitoring polio worldwide and a call for all nations to supplement childhood schedules of immunization as needed or if traveling to areas where outbreaks exist. The lesson here is to vaccinate with polio before travel as needed.

Carol De Rosa, R.N., B.S.
Sr. VP, Clinical Ops/Corporate Development
Passport Health

The wedding and honeymoon market in the United States generates over $100 Billion annually and is one of the most resilient parts of the travel industry. Once a couple gets engaged, a spending spree unlike any other is triggered. It starts with extra outings so both families can get to know one another and quickly proceeds to engagement parties and bridal showers. Up next are the bachelorette and bachelor parties, bridesmaids’ luncheon and rehearsal dinner. And don’t forget about the wedding! After that, it’s easy to see how paying for a honeymoon could put you over the edge

Africa collectively receives a small share of this market, but with increased focus, we hope to grow this industry significantly.

The planning phase is an exciting phase for a couple. Statistics prove that approximately 72% of all engaged couples are willing to go above and beyond to make their wedding and/or honeymoon as special and memorable as they envision it ought to be. Can Africa attract these couples? The answer is Yes! The 2010 FIFA World Cup has drawn a lot of attention to South Africa and therefore created awareness of this beautiful continent. The travel industry is now seeing an opportunity to promote the African destination weddings and honeymoons.

Africa is very versatile; from the vineyards of South Africa; to the beautiful beaches of Mozambique; to the exotic Victoria Falls located between Zambia and Zimbabwe; these are all breathtaking attractions Africa has to offer.

The destination wedding and honeymoon market is best served by experienced and qualified Africa Specialists (travel agents specializing in this beautiful continent). Getting married or honeymooning in Africa is a dream of many Americans, and one that can be realized with the right planning. After all, traveling to Africa and getting married in this continent is as competitive in pricing as the rest of the countries that focus heavily on this market.

One of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world is known as Hajj (cognate of the Hebrew word “Hag” meaning Holiday.)

All practicing Muslims, demonstrate their submission to God (Allah) with the practice Islam and try to participate in the ceremony at least once in their lives. The participants, often numbering in millions, travel to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Muhammad, the Islamic prophet, is associated with the ritual but Islamic scholars dispute that the pilgrimage actually started at the time of Ibrahim (Abraham).

Every year, according to the lunar calendar, the Hajj occurs 10 days earlier than the previous year. In the year 2010 Hajj will be held between November 14th and 18th. Pilgrims who choose to go to Mecca at other times of the year refer to those specific pilgrimages as Umrah.

As far back as the seventh century, before the era of Muhammad, Pilgrims of all faiths took part in the walks around the Kabba (Holy Mosque) and the vigils on Mount Arafat where they would practice recitation of the Qur’an with prayer and personal contemplation. The ritual culminates with the festival of Eid al-Adha and includes the drinking of water from the Zamzam Well.

Because most of the activity occurs in a prescribed area during the week-long activities, the Saudi Arabian government requires that all participants in Hajj get a Meningococcal vaccination. Passport Health also recommends Typhoid, Polio, Tetanus/Diphtheria & Pertussis, and Hepatitis A & B immunizations, as well as a seasonal Influenza shot.