CARMEL – Time to begin thinking about summer vacations, and with travel comes the need for protection against illness.
The Putnam Health Department has initiated a series of monthly travel clinics where nurses provide vaccines.
“Whether families are traveling across the globe or visiting a new destination for the first time, preparation is the key to a safe and healthy trip,” said Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne who added, “These travel clinics are another example of how we’re delivering practical, valuable services that protect our residents and give them peace of mind before they leave home.”
Health Director Rian Rodriguez said, “Overseas travel can present health challenges that Putnam residents don’t normally face at home. It is important to begin gathering information early in your planning stage. Some countries do require specific vaccines before entering, but others do not. It is also important to remember that healthy travel is much more than just getting required shots. Our nurses not only provide vaccines, but also guidance about other health risks you may encounter, even if they are not new.”
The county has a variety of travel vaccines in stock.
Rebeca Garcia, immunization coordinator at the health department said the “most common immunizations we give for travel are typhoid, hepatitis A, rabies and yellow fever. We are in fact a registered yellow fever vaccination center and provide certificates of vaccination for this potentially deadly mosquito-borne illness.”
When it comes to food considerations while away, helpful tips come from the department’s food sanitarians that inspect restaurants and provide food safety education year-round. Mitch Lee, a senior public health sanitarian noted, “Depending on the sanitary conditions in your destination, travelers may want to take the extra precautions. Eat only hot foods that are steaming and cold foods that are chilled. Avoid raw foods, fresh salads, cut fruit, street food, local game meat, and unpasteurized dairy. Dry or factory-sealed packaged foods are generally safe.”
Lee also advised avoiding tap water, ice, fountain drinks and freshly squeezed juices prepared by others: “Bottled or canned drinks from sealed containers and reputable sources or hot drinks, served steaming are the best choices,” he said adding: “It is also a good idea to brush your teeth with bottled or boiled water, and as always wash your hands before eating and preparing food. Use a sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Contaminated water, and food, can cause illness and ruin a pleasant trip.”
Appointments for the vaccinations which will be administered from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the second Friday of each month can be made by calling the immunization program directly at 845-808-1332.
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