home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Fritz: All Fritz
/
All Fritz.zip
/
All Fritz
/
FILES
/
MISCEOUS
/
TRIPABRD.LZH
/
CH6
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1992-10-05
|
5KB
|
89 lines
IMMUNIZATIONS & HEALTH INSURANCE
Immunizations
Under international health regulations adopted by the World
Health Organization, a country may require international
certificates of vaccination against yellow fever and cholera.
Typhoid vaccinations are not required for international
travel, but are recommended for areas where there is a risk
of exposure. Smallpox vaccinations are no longer given. Check
your health care records to insure that your measles, mumps,
rubella, polio, dipthera, tetanus, and pertussis
immunizations are up to date. Medication to deter malaria and
other preventative measures are advisable for certain areas.
No immunizations are required to return to the U.S.
Information on immunization requirements, U.S. Public
Health Service recommendations, and other health hints are
included in the book, Health Information for International
Travel, available for $5.00 from the U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington D.C. 20402. You may also obtain such
information from local and state health departments or
physicians. This information is also available on the Centers
for Disease Control 24-hour-hotline: 404-639-2572.
It is not necessary to be vaccinated against a disease you
will not be exposed to and few countries refuse to admit you
if you arrive without the necessary vaccinations. Officials
will either vaccinate you, give you a medical follow-up card,
or, in rare circumstances, put you ion isolation for the
incubation of the disease you were not vaccinated against.
Check requirements before you depart.
If vaccinations are required, they must be recorded on
approved forms, such as those in the booklet PHS-731,
International Certificates of Vaccination as Approved by the
World Health Organization. If your doctor or public health
official does not have this booklet, it can be obtained for
$2.00 from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402 Or Government Printing
Office bookstores. Keep it with your passport.
Some countries require certification for long-term visitors
that they are free from human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV).
Generally, this has little to do bearing on tourist and
short-term visitors. Check with the embassy or consulate of
the countries you will visit for the latest information.
Health Insurance
For travellers who become seriously ill or injured
overseas, obtaining medical treatment and hospital care can
be costly. The Social Security Medicare program does not
cover hospital and medical services outside the United
States. Before you leave the U.S. learn what medical services
your health insurance will cover abroad.
If your health insurance policy does not cover you abroad,
you are urged to purchase a temporary health policy that
does. There are short-term health and emergency assistance
policies designed for travelers. You can find the names of
such companies from your travel agent, your health insurance
company, or from advertisements in travel publications. In
addition to health insurance, many policies include trip
cancellation, baggage loss, and travel accident insurance in
the same package. Some travellers check companies have
protection policies available for those who purchase
travelers checks.
Medical Evacuation
One of the chief advantages of health and emergency
assistance policies is that they often include coverage for
medical evacuation to the United States. Medical evacuation
can easily cost $5000 depending on your location and medical
condition. Even if your regular health insurance covers you
for emergencies abroad, consider purchasing a supplemental
insurance policy to cover medical evacuation.
Whichever health insurance coverage you choose, REMEMBER to
bring your policy identity card and claim forms with you.
******