Whether you are actively considering retiring abroad or just starting to explore your options, there is no doubt that moving to another country can be thrilling. The new locale, culture, atmosphere and popular activities of another nation will bring out an adventurous streak in anyone. If you have plans to retire abroad, you are not alone. According to a Travel Market Report, more than 3 million North Americans are actively interested in retiring to another country. Overseas living can save you money while you start this exciting new chapter of your life.

Does a tropical destination or an urban city draw your interest? International living can be a great choice for retirees, but safeguarding one’s health is important regardless of where one resides. Before you go, make sure you have researched your country’s healthcare system, insurance plans and providers, and have an updated immunization record. Some destinations may have certain diseases that are uncommon in the U.S. However, with the proper precautions, retiring abroad can be relaxing and exhilarating and be the right choice for you! Keep reading to learn more about the top destinations for retiring abroad and some of their common health concerns.

Mexico

Mexico is a popular place to retire. Properties are affordable, and communities of other American retirees are common in the cities of Puerto Vallarta and San Miguel del Allende. Make sure to have the hepatitis A vaccine if you plan on living here. Viral outbreaks are not uncommon in Mexico and are usually caused by contaminated water or food, making vaccination even more important.

Mosquitos are an issue in many regions of Mexico. The small insects can infect travelers with malaria or chikungunya, diseases that can be life threatening. Be sure to avoid mosquitos whenever possible, and use proper mosquito repellants and antimalarials if needed.  Mexico also requires a yellow fever vaccination if returning to the country after travel to a nation that is affected by the mosquito-borne disease. If you plan on traveling to nations like Brazil or Peru, it would be advisable for most people to receive an immunization.

Ecuador

Great weather, stunning scenery and welcoming locals make Ecuador a very popular destination for retirees. Affordable living in the city of Cuenca, which has a large English-speaking population, coupled with a great private healthcare system makes Ecuador a favorite for many retirees.

In addition to routine vaccinations, typhoid, and Hepatitis A vaccinations, the CDC recommends that travelers to Ecuador receive the yellow fever vaccine as the risk of contracting this disease is greater in some parts of this South American country.  Antimalarial medications may also be suggested.  Schedule an appointment at a Passport Health travel clinic to learn more about these potential risks.

Europe

European countries are popular vacation destinations for many individuals throughout their lives. Unlike many other regions, almost all of Europe if fully developed with few health or medical issues in the continent as a whole. Generally, European countries have very high standards of medical care and have very few endemic diseases.

Recently, measles, mumps and influenza outbreaks, however, have highlighted the importance of routine vaccinations if traveling to or living in Europe, especially in regions where vaccination rates have declined. However, hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for some regions, especially in Eastern Europe where some sanitation standards are not yet ideal.

Malaysia

A booming economy and warm temperatures are just some of the reasons retirees love this Asian country. The healthcare system is reputable, and almost all physicians speak English or have been trained in an English-speaking country. The infrastructure and amenities are top notch, and there is much to do for the adventurous at heart in this beautiful country.

Make sure you have updated your routine vaccinations if you plan on retiring here. Malaysia has many mosquitos and the greatest risks are contracting dengue fever and malaria. If you are planning on retiring to this tropical nation, a Japanese encephalitis vaccine would be recommended especially if planning on living or traveling to rural areas.

Thailand

The attraction of settling down in an Asian country continues to appeal to Americans, with English communities growing in cities like Bangkok or resort towns, such as Phuket. Thailand has authentic Asian cuisine, and the culture has many North American influences.

Make sure to have your typical routine vaccinations updated if traveling to Thailand. Japanese encephalitis and yellow fever vaccinations may be recommended depending on what you plan on doing while in the country such as going to rural areas or traveling to nations that have endemic yellow fever.  Malaria medication may also be recommended.  Be sure to speak with a Passport Health travel specialist about what may or may not be right for you.

With numerous exciting options for retiring abroad, make sure to schedule time to discuss your health options with a Passport Health travel medicine specialist. Visit your nearest travel clinic and receive all the proper vaccines and information you need to enjoy your stay in these countries!

Have you lived in any of these aforementioned countries? What did you think? Let us know in the comments section below or via our Facebook or Twitter pages!

This year marks the 60th anniversary of one of the most remarkable global health advances to date: the injectable polio vaccine (IPV). This vaccine protects against the polio virus, also known as infantile paralysis. On April 12th, 1955, after the conclusion of one of the largest clinical trials in history, the vaccine, developed by medical researcher and virologist Jonas Salk, was deemed “safe,” “effective,” and “potent.”

Salk was an American physician born to immigrant parents. He chose to dedicate his life to medical research rather than becoming a practicing physician. In 1947, he took on a job at the University of Pittsburgh where he began research on polio, and, by 1951, he had developed a “killed virus” for a vaccine.

During the first set of safety trials, Salk tested the vaccine on more than 5,300 individuals, including himself, his wife, and his three sons. After no one experienced any bad side effects and blood samples showed that there were antibodies present against the disease, the experiments moved on to the field trial. The field trial consisted of 1.8 million first, second, and third graders and cost roughly $7.5 million dollars.

The trials were held across 44 US states, and much of the funding came from the March of the Dimes Foundation, the organization founded by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt to eradicate polio in 1938.

The 1955 approval of the vaccine gave Salk the status of a national hero.  Indeed, President Dwight D. Eisenhower celebrated Salk and his achievement with a special citation ceremony held in the Rose Garden of the White House. Salk would later go on to launch his own research center, the Salk Center for Biological Studies.

Interestingly, Salk chose not to patent his vaccine, thus allowing anyone who may want or need to produce it to do so.  He had a vision of a world without polio and hoped to do everything he could to selflessly achieve that goal.

Once the vaccine had become widely available, polio cases dropped by 99 percent worldwide. Prior to the vaccine, the United States alone had 35,000 cases of polio each year.  Just two years after the introduction of the vaccine, the number of cases fell by almost 90 percent in the U.S.  Just four years later, polio had been eradicated in the country. The last reported case of polio in the U.S. was in 1991.

Salk’s vaccine has played a crucial role in public health history. In 1988, polio continued to cripple children in 125 countries. During that year, Rotary International launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Today, polio remains endemic in only three countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria, and Nigeria has not had a case in the last nine months.

At one point, it had seemed that the oral polio vaccine (OPV), which was released later, would triumph over Salk’s.  However, the IPV has made a comeback. OPV was initially popular because of its low cost and ease of use; just a few drops taken orally provide immunity.  But, the oral vaccine has one major drawback: there is about a 1 in 750,000 chance that the vaccination can cause infection. While that is an extremely low probability, it is still too much of a risk for some countries and organizations that are trying to eradicate the disease.  As a result, the IPV has become increasingly more common throughout the world, and is the vaccine of choice in nations that have already eradicated the disease, like the United States and Canada.

Today, the WHO and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative have both added IPV to their plans for eradication of the virus. By the end of this year, at least one of the two doses given to children in the developing world will be the injectable vaccine. The Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan put forth by these groups plans on eventually trading in all oral vaccines for injectable variants.

Passport Health would like to acknowledge the man responsible for saving the lives of so many and protecting the lives of many others against the disease. Thanks to Jonas Salk, we now celebrate 60th year anniversary of one of the most influential vaccinations and the elimination of what used to be a debilitating virus in many countries across the globe.

For more information on polio and to find out if a polio vaccination is recommended for a country you may be traveling to, visit our Polio page.

Have you or anyone in your family been affected by polio?  Let us know in our comments section below or through Facebook or Twitter.

Picture this: a tropical climate, golden beaches, exotic wildlife, diverse culture and lush rainforests. If this sounds like  your next dream trip, then get ready to explore the coastal nation of Liberia! Located in western Africa, this country is home to four million people and was founded by freed American and Caribbean slaves. Brimming with natural wonders, it also has a rich cultural vibe and plenty for visitors to see.

Liberia is well-known for its beaches, most notably surfing beaches near Robertsport or the stretch of beaches surrounding its capital, Monrovia. Visit Silver and Cece beaches for the best experiences, as both are stocked with bars, restaurants, entertainment and family fun. Yearning for a little alone time? Venture past the crowds of Cece beach, where miles of warm sand and sun create the perfect environment for a little solitude.

If hiking and adventure is more to your taste, be sure to add Mountain Woligizi to your list! Surrounded by dense jungle, the hiking trail up the mountain leads you to the nation’s highest point. As you make your way to the top, waterfalls and wildlife will be sure to greet you. Once at the top, you will be able to see Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea stretch out before you. Deep-sea fishing is also an option for ocean enthusiasts. Located off the shore of Monrovia, a deep ocean trench is full of big fish for those who want to check that experience off their bucket list.
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Much recent news coverage has focused on viral outbreaks like Ebola and measles, while coverage of another outbreak has been somewhat muted.  Since the 1980’s, there has been an increase in the number of reported pertussis (whooping cough) cases in the United States, culminating in more than 48,000 cases in 2012, the most since 1955.

While the reasons for this increase are varied, a new study done in Washington state shows pertussis immunity wanes within five years of receiving the Tdap vaccination, which protects against pertussis, tetanus and diphtheria.

“The take-home message is that the waning is there,” said Dr. Art Reingold with the University of California in an interview with National Public Radio.  “You’re protected initially but it wanes over time.”

The majority of people receive their last pertussis vaccination when they are teens, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that a booster is needed every five to 10 years to uphold a high level of immunity.
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