Miami, FL (1888PressRelease)
March 14, 2008 - Concentra, a leading provider of health care solutions, is helping address the current yellow fever vaccine shortage through both education and provision of the vaccine. Concentra reminds travelers to take precaution before traveling internationally by scheduling an appointment with a travel health provider and determining what vaccine-preventable diseases, including yellow fever, are recommended for maximum health protection while abroad.
Yellow fever is a serious viral illness with a case fatality rate over 50 percent. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Typically occurring in tropical regions of Africa and in parts of South America, yellow fever can be prevented by vaccination. Infections tend to be mild, but can lead to a severe, life-threatening illness including liver failure and jaundice, which gives yellow fever its name.
U.S. legislation requires those who may be traveling to parts of Africa and South America to receive a yellow fever vaccination. All travelers age 9 months or older who are going to yellow-fever-endemic areas should be vaccinated. To satisfy official entry requirements, the vaccine must be given at least 10 days before the date of entry, and documentation must include an official stamp from the travel health center. The vaccine is valid for 10 years.
Due to the temporary shortage of single dose vaccines, only a multi-dose vaccine is currently available. Because the multi-dose does not contain a preservative, the travel health center coordinates five travelers at a time to fully use all five doses within an hour to avoid discarding the remaining vaccine. In the United States, the vaccine is only available at federal centers or at centers designated by state health departments, including Concentra. To learn more about Concentra’s travel health program or to locate a center, go to the Patient Services section of Concentra.com and select Travel Health.
In addition to vaccinations, Concentra also provides work-related injury and non-injury health care services, including pre-employment physicals, flu shots, and drug testing. The company employs board-certified physicians, licensed therapists, occupational health specialists, and trained medical technicians to deliver exceptional heath care to people throughout America.
About Concentra
Concentra is a leading health care company focused on improving America’s health, one patient at a time. From its 320 medical centers in 40 states, the company offers a broad range of occupational medicine, urgent care, physical therapy, and wellness services to workers and the general public. In addition to its medical center locations, Concentra serves employers by providing numerous health advisory services and operating 275 on-site medical facilities. Through this complement of services, Concentra intends to raise the standard of health by putting individuals first, treating them with clinical excellence, and focusing on their ongoing wellness.
www.Concentra.com | www.ConcentraUrgentCare.com
