This activity was originally presented as a part of Directions in Pharmacy 2025.
Program Description
A greater number of people are predicted to travel internationally in the coming years, increasing the risk of travel-associated infections. This session will review risk factors for travel-related illnesses, such as recognizing high-endemicity regions with disease outbreaks; traveler behaviors, such as consumption of unsafe food or water; and participation in local activities. Lack of vaccination and poor adherence to preventive measures also contribute to the problem and represent an important opportunity for pharmacist counseling. The discussion will delve into vaccine-preventable travel-related diseases, such as chikungunya, typhoid, cholera, and rabies, highlighting recent advancements in vaccine development and immunization recommendations. Practical considerations for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, including patient identification and education, risk assessment, and navigating relevant regulations, will be discussed to optimize travel health care services.
Target audience: Community, retail, and health system pharmacists
Type of activity: Application
Release date: June 16, 2025
Expiration date: June 16, 2026
Time to complete activity: 2.0 hours
Learner level: Foundational
Fee: Free
Educational Objectives
At the completion of this activity, pharmacists will be able to:
- Analyze the current epidemiology of prevalent vaccine-preventable and non—vaccine-preventable diseases among travelers
- Examine CDC guidelines for recommended vaccines targeting travel-related illnesses
- Explore current and emerging vaccines for the prevention of travel-related diseases, including those for chikungunya, typhoid, cholera, and rabies
- Identify the pharmacist’s role in educating travelers about disease prevention and vaccination strategies