Understanding Vaccines

UNDER S TANDING Vaccines

Vaccine Misinformation and Disinformation — and What You Can Do About It

Vaccines are making headlines around the world every day as we continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unfortunately, along with those headlines comes a slew of vaccine misinformation and disinformation intended to confuse, provoke, and ultimately dissuade the reader from being vaccinated. Even more discouraging, none of this is new or unique to COVID-19.

One hundred years ago, infectious diseases were the leading cause of death worldwide. In Canada, they now cause less than five percent of all deaths. Vaccination programs have probably saved more lives in Canada in the last 50 years than any other health intervention.

Vaccine misinformation (inaccuracies) and disinformation (falsehoods) are more contagious than infectious diseases and their impact can be dire. Every day we use social media and other online sources as a way to find health-related information. Finding information helps us to make informed decisions about our health. When the information we find is incorrect, it affects our ability to make decisions that are in our best interest.

Ian Culbert

So, what can you do? Be aware that not all information is created equally. Anyone can publish information online and sources can sometimes be deceiving. Take the time to ask yourself a few questions about the source of the information. Is it clear who is behind a website or social media account? What’s their motive?

Attention-grabbing disinformation often motivates people to visit websites that include advertisements. Your visit creates revenue for the owner of that website and the content on it. Vaccine disinformation campaigns have also been used for political purposes — ‘weaponized health information’ focused on vaccines has been disseminated by state actors in an attempt to promote social discord and polarization.

Ultimately, you need to use your best judgement and it’s best to stick with the websites of governments and health agencies, or websites that display the Vaccine Safety Net seal.

Always remember that your health care provider can help you assess the quality of the information you discover and provide the support you need to make the best decision for you and your family.

Dimacuha

The health care system should be impartial to bias while providing exemplary, patient-centered care to the communities it serves. However, health care professionals are susceptible to projecting their biases toward their patients unintentionally, which can have detrimental effects on the level of care provided and overall health. Health care biases can lead to poor patient care, delays in treatment, or inaccurate diagnoses, which ultimately lead to worsening health conditions and negative outcomes for patients.

Health care bias can take on many forms, such as ageism, ableism, racial bias, sex and gender bias, socioeconomic status bias, geographic location bias, and level of education bias. Another example of unconscious bias in health care is cultural stereotyping, which further perpetuates health inequalities. There are many patients who have fallen victim to health care bias, suffering traumatic experiences during their hospital visits and sometimes,

unfortunately, experiencing negative outcomes.

Health care bias can be combated through various methods to ensure that all patients are provided equitable care without judgment or preconceived notions being projected onto them. Firstly, health care systems should acknowledge and recognize that discrimination and biases are present at the workplace. Once acknowledged, organizations should commit to a culture of inclusion to serve the diverse population in the community. Cultural competency training should be provided for all health care professionals to ensure that they’re well-equipped to combat their unconscious biases and provide equitable care. Furthermore, health care staff should deliberatively reflect upon their own biases to ensure that they don’t unintentionally affect their patients.

With proper attention and training, we can address the impact of health care biases and ensure better outcomes for all patients.

Looking forward to starting a family or having another child? The COVID-19 pandemic adds some concerns around getting pregnant and keeping mom and baby safe. Some prospective parents may worry that vaccination to help protect against COVID-19 will affect their fertility or the course of a pregnancy. However, there’s no evidence that vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines — none of which contain live virus — cause fertility problems in females or males, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and several professional medical associations.1

In fact, the CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination and boosters for people who are pregnant and breastfeeding as well as for those who may wish to become pregnant now or in the future.2

COVID-19 vaccination doesn’t affect fertility and is safe in pregnancy, according to several studies, including an analysis of vaccine safety monitoring data (v-safe safety monitoring system) from almost 5,000 women who had a positive pregnancy test after their first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna). Similarly, studies haven’t found an increased risk of miscarriage among people who received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine just before or during early pregnancy (before 20 weeks of pregnancy).2

Pregnancy is associated with higher risks of becoming severely ill from COVID-19 and having complications that could affect the pregnancy, compared to not being pregnant. 2 A recent Public Health Agency of Canada report indicates that pregnant women with COVID19 were approximately six times more likely to be hospitalized than non-pregnant women with the infection (11 percent versus 1.7 percent). The risk of ICU admission was also higher in this group. 3

Therefore, being vaccinated against COVID-19 can help protect you and your newborn. It appears that a mother’s antibodies may be passed on to their baby during pregnancy3 and also through breastfeeding. 2 At six months of age, 57 percent of babies born to people who were vaccinated during pregnancy had detectable antibodies against COVID-19, compared to just eight percent of those born to unvaccinated mothers who had a COVID-19 infection during pregnancy.4

Keep your family safe — practise social distancing, keep wearing a mask in high-risk situations, and get vaccinated against COVID19.

Strategic Account Manager: Anna Sibiga Strategic Account Director: Jessica Golyatov Business Development Manager: Chelsea Siemon

Ian Culbert Executive Director, Canadian Public Health Association

Health Care Bias — Conscious or Unconscious — Is a Very Real Concern

Dan Dimacuha

Infection Prevention and Control Professional, Halton Healthcare & Chair, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group, Infection Prevention and Control Canada

Dan

Health care professionals aim to do good and are bound by strict ethical standards, but that doesn’t prevent biases from rearing up.

A Life Well-Lived Starts with Protection from Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Sanofi’s contributions to a future filled with hope.

Global Head, Vaccines CMC Development & Supply, Sanofi. “In the scientific community, we continue to make strides in developing innovative solutions to protect against infectious diseases. Among these efforts is our pursuit of protection against respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. RSV is a common viral respiratory infection that can progress rapidly to become a serious lung infection and cause other complications such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis.”

to get your flu shot means avoiding potential consequences for yourself and for others around you.

Did you know that catching the flu can have serious impacts on the body’s major organ systems? For adults over 65, that can include an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. 3 Worst of all, this could lead to a loss of independence later in life.4

From birth to old age, the right vaccine at the right stage of life can make all the difference. One of the most effective measures to keep ourselves, our families, and our communities healthy is disease prevention through immunization. In Canada, immunization has proven to be one of the most impactful health interventions over the last 50 years.1

Did you know that two to three million deaths are prevented globally each year because of immunization against diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza, and measles? 2

“At Sanofi, we work every day to produce vaccines to keep the most vulnerable among us safe. As a father to three children and as a son to elderly parents, preventative health care for my family is a priority and a gift that everyone should benefit from,” says Jean-Pierre Baylet, General Manager, Vaccines, Sanofi Canada.

“Carrying forward the legacy of vaccine manufacturing in Canada, and triumphs where Canadians contributed to eradicating polio in North America and smallpox worldwide, is something that inspires the work we do every day — to develop new vaccine technology here that serves public health needs now and in the future.”

One of Sanofi’s goals is to help protect babies here and around the world from infectious diseases. Toward this goal, Sanofi produces paediatric vaccines right here in Canada that help prevent whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus.

Scientific innovations are moving us closer to the day when physicians will have access to effective immunizing tools to routinely help protect vulnerable populations from severe outcomes.

Living life to the fullest

With public health restrictions mostly lifted across Canada, that means we’re again resuming social activities. Children are back at school, university classes are face-to-face again, and extracurricular activities have resumed. For many people, it’s a tremendous relief to get back to normal.

“With the disruption to routine health care caused by COVID-19, we need to be vigilant to ensure vaccinations remain up to date to avoid potential impacts to our children,” says Dr. Sophia Kajla, Head, Medical Affairs, Vaccines, Sanofi Canada. "Prevention is in our hands for many transmissible diseases that circulate locally.”

Meningococcal meningitis, for example, is a complex disease that can be transmitted unknowingly among those not showing any symptoms. In rare cases, and in a disproportionate number of young children, teenagers, and young adults, an infection can result in disability or death. Thankfully, meningitis transmission in Canada is low and immunizations are available to help reduce the risk of serious outcomes.

“Routine immunizations contribute to our ability to enjoy our lives by reducing the risks associated with unexpected infections and serious complications,” says Dr. Kajla.

“As we age, our immune system changes, which generally means we’re at higher risk of infections and less responsive to regular vaccines,” explains Dr. Bruce Seet, Director, Medical Affairs, Vaccines, Sanofi Canada. “The development of vaccines specifically made for older adults is helping to address this heightened vulnerability. For example, we aim to reduce the broader burden of influenza and other respiratory pathogens with new technologies and innovative vaccine designs.”

A future filled with hope “There are many independent and credible resources available online to learn more about immunization and how it works to prevent or reduce the impact of diseases, such as the World Health Organization, Immunize Canada, and regional public health units across Canada. It’s critical that we do our part to understand and act,” says Baylet.

The World Health Organization promotes World Immunization Week every year to celebrate the successes of defeating vaccine-preventable diseases. It also draws attention to countries around the world that need support to beat preventable diseases.

"Vaccine equity is our responsibility — to make sure that we’re making true strides to improve global public health,” adds Baylet.

Sanofi partners with public health officials, physicians, and scientists to improve access to life-protecting vaccines and to increase global vaccination coverage by donating over 450 million vaccine doses annually.

REFERENCES 1 ImmunizeCanada.https://immunize.ca/. AccessedApril7,2022.

2 Vaccines and Immunization. World Health Organization.https://www.who.int/health-topics/ vaccines-and-immunization#tab=tab_1.2022. AccessedApril7, 2022.

3 Warren-GashC,etal.EurrespirJ.2018Mar 29;51(3):1701794.

4 Andrew MK et al. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2021 Mar;69(3):696-703.

This article was made possible with support from Sanofi Canada

Vaccines help protect us. They defend us from diseases and let us focus on the future. They give us a chance to appreciate the little things in life and to pursue our dreams.

Chasing miracles — innovating for the most vulnerable

We beat pathogens at their own game by studying their every move, zeroing in on their greatest vulnerabilities, and designing the best defences.

“Paediatric vaccines now protect against many life-threatening diseases for the most vulnerable, but there are still devastating diseases that continue to spread,” says Kimberly Matheson,

The right protection for you Everyone deserves a chance to dream big. At Sanofi, our vaccines make it possible by helping to prevent diseases and reduce the severity of infections in people of all ages, the world over.

Everyone can catch the seasonal flu and while it can be mild and a minor inconvenience for some, choosing

We believe that everyone should look forward to a future filled with hope.

Jean-Pierre Baylet General Manager, Vaccines, Sanofi Canada

Dr. Sophia Kajla Head, Medical Affairs, Vaccines, Sanofi Canada

Kimberly Matheson Global Head, Vaccines CMC Development & Supply, Sanofi

Dr. Bruce Seet Director, Medical Affairs, Vaccines, Sanofi Canada

School-Based Vaccination Is on Hold — and It's a Big Concern

Experts are stressing the importance of getting school-based vaccine programs back on track after COVID-19-related delays.

Tania Amardeil

weren’t immunized at all.”

Many Ontario youth receive a series of important vaccinations at school.

School-based vaccine programs help protect children against infectious diseases and some cancers, and are an effective and equitable way to reach youth.

“We want everybody to have access and we know that school-led vaccine programs are the most equitable way to have the population immunized,” says Dr. Vivien Brown, a family physician, assistant professor at the University of Toronto, and Chair of the Task Force on the Crisis in HPV Vaccination in School System for the Federation of Medical Women of Canada.

A sharp decline in coverage In Ontario, grade seven students are offered a quadrivalent meningitis vaccine, hepatitis B vaccines, and HPV vaccines. In the school year prior to COVID-19, 58 percent of Ontario students received both doses of their HPV vaccine, but during COVID-19 that number plummeted to 5.8 percent and 0.8 percent for the 2019 to 2020 and 2020 to 2021 school years, respectively, according to Public Health Ontario’s annual Immunization Coverage Report for School Pupils in Ontario.

“As a result of the pandemic, public health resources were diverted, and the school-based programs were put on hold,” says Dr. Brown. “Then school was put on hold, and Public Health wasn’t going into the school system to administer the vaccines. The children who got vaccinated in the fall of 2019 didn’t get their second shots in the spring of 2020, so we have some children who are partly immunized and then the children in 2020 and 2021

Schools in Ontario were closed longer than any other jurisdiction in Canada, but even now, with children back in class, the school-based vaccine programs have not been fully reinstated.

approach that engages six key stakeholder groups — government, public health, primary care physicians and pharmacists, schools, community leaders, and caregivers — to ensure equitable and efficient access to catch-up immunizations for Ontario children.

“What we’re encouraging and what the Federation of Medical Women is encouraging is that we bring vaccines back into schools, have public health clinics, give the vaccines to pharmacies, hold clinics the way we held COVID-19 clinics, and take mobile units into certain communities,” says Dr. Brown. “We’re saying do everything, not just one thing. There are a lot of barriers in the system, and we need to make this accessible and convenient. In addition, catch-up metrics need to be established and plans modified if metrics aren’t met.”

Protecting children’s health

We owe it to Ontario children to make vaccination accessible and convenient, especially when these particular vaccines are so important for their health.

Playing catch-up

Instead, Ontario’s 34 Public Health units are playing catch-up in a “patchwork” method, says Dr. Brown. While some units are planning Saturday clinics and some are going into schools, there’s no unified strategy — nor has there been an education campaign to help alert parents that their child may have missed vaccines or that they should attend a clinic.

The University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health and McMaster University’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine co-published a report regarding how to maintain school-based immunization programs during the pandemic. It recommends that Ontario implement a comprehensive catch-up strategy to close the gaps in immunization coverage and prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. The report recommends a multi-pronged and transparent

“Meningitis has a 10 to 20 percent mortality rate,” says Dr. Brown. “It’s not a common disease but it’s a very severe disease when it happens. Hepatitis B affects your liver and you can die from it or become a chronic carrier, putting yourself or your partner at risk. As for HPV, it’s a common virus and about 75 percent of adults will have it at some point in their life, and most of us clear the virus the way you clear a common cold. But about 20 percent will have persistent HPV, which increases your risk of six different kinds of cancer, including cervical cancer, head and neck/throat cancer, anal cancer, and other genital cancers.”

The HPV vaccine is so effective that the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer released a plan showing that Canada could completely eliminate cervical cancer, and getting vaccination rates to 90 percent is part of that plan.

“These are deadly diseases that we don’t see often because we’ve been immunizing, which is why the fall-off of the school-based vaccine program is so worrisome,” notes Dr. Brown.

As Dr. Brown, the University of Toronto, and McMaster University outline, a collaborative approach is needed to get us back on track.

To find out how to catch up your kids on immunization please contact your local public health unit. Visit www.phdapps. health.gov.on.ca/ phulocator to find yours.

Dr. Vivien Brown Family Physician, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto, & Chair of the Task Force on the Crisis in HPV Vaccination in School System, Federation of Medical Women of Canada

We want everybody to have access and we know that school-led vaccine programs are the mostwayequitable to have theimmunized.population

Vaccination Is Key for Canadians to Stay Healthy in All Stages of Life

As populations age globally, the public health and economic burden of vaccine-preventable disease among adults is set to increase; adult immunization rates need to improve.i,ii

Immunization is often thought of as something only for kids as childhood vaccination has become so well engrained in our society today.

But, the importance of vaccination continues throughout life — teenagers receive vaccines to prevent meningococcal disease, HPV, and hepatitis B. There are also vaccines recommended for adults, as well as for people with certain chronic diseases.

Since our immune systems gradually weaken as we age and our bodies aren’t as well-equipped to fight infection, immunization is especially important for Canadian adults as they age. In fact, there are diseases that are more common in older age, even in healthy adults, for example, shingles and pneumonia.

Additionally, as we get older, protection from previous vaccination against some diseases can wane. In this case, getting a booster dose can increase immunity to provide the best protection. In other cases, adults may have missed one or more of their vaccines from childhood and need to catch up.iii

Immunization is a public health success story

“Immunization is a public health success story,” says Marni Freeman, Country Medical Director at GSK, adding that the World Health Organization estimates that vaccines prevent two to three million deaths worldwide every year.iv

“Despite this, we’re seeing that vaccination rates in Canadian adults are historically low.v The success of vaccination programs has meant that many people no longer see diseases such as polio, tetanus, and measles, that used to be common,” says Freeman. “They may have forgotten how potentially devastating they can be. We need to get better at helping people understand the benefits of vaccination beyond childhood, particularly as there are vaccine preventable diseases that can significantly impact older adults including shingles, influenza and pneumonia.”

Creating greater access to vaccines around the globe GSK is a leading vaccine company, delivering vaccines that help protect people at all stages of life. The company invests in scientific and technical excellence to develop and launch innovative vaccines and is committed to creating greater access to vaccines around the globe.

GSK has 12 vaccine manufacturing sites across nine countries, including its Ste-Foy vaccine manufacturing site in Quebec, which produces a portion of Canada’s seasonal influenza vaccine, delivered as part of the national

immunization program. This global network produced and delivered 767 million doses in 2021.

The company’s research and development team has 21 potential vaccines in development vi and its portfolio of 20 vaccines is the broadest in the industry, helping protect people worldwide from a range of diseases, including meningitis, shingles, influenza, whooping cough, measles, hepatitis, and more.vii

For seniors and adults with chronic diseases, pneumonia is a major cause of hospitalizations and can be life-threatening. In 2017 and 2018, pneumonia led to 138,485 emergency department visits across Canada.ix It was also the ninth-leading cause of a trip to the ER.x

Additionally, due to the natural aging of our immune systems, adults 50 years and older are at increased risk for shinglesxi — 1 in 3 will develop the disease in their lifetime.xii It typically presents as a painful, itchy rash that develops on one side of the body and can last for two to four weeks.xiii Once the rash is gone, some people have experienced what is known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a painful condition that can last for several months, and in some rare cases, up to several years.xiv

But there are encouraging signs that Canadians are changing their attitudes toward vaccination. A recent survey found that since the onset of the pandemic, eight out of 10 people have a greater understanding of the benefits of vaccination as a means of self-protection.xv “The COVID-19 pandemic has bred a broader awareness about the vulnerability of our immune system and the very real benefits of vaccination,” Freeman says.

“Vaccine manufacture is a complex and time-consuming process, involving multiple operations with total cycle times of approximately 18 to 24 months, of which, 70 percent is focused on quality control and assurance steps. It was extraordinary to witness industry and governments work at an incredible pace to deliver vaccines to address the COVID-19 pandemic around the world,” Freeman says. “Our vaccines scientists are focused on discovering and developing novel vaccines to help address public health challenges and get ahead of disease around the world. Their work in vaccine platform technologies enables us to select the most promising approach to develop new vaccines previously not thought possible.”viii

Greater awareness of vaccine benefits is critical

While vaccine development is vital, Freeman says it’s also critical to educate people on the benefits of adult vaccination. “If adult vaccination coverage rates don’t improve, I’m concerned we could see an increase in illness and death caused by vaccine-preventable diseases,” she says.

Influenza can cause mild flu symptoms resolving for most people within a couple of weeks. However, some people may develop more severe symptoms leading to complications, like, pneumonia, some of which can be life-threatening.

REFERENCES

i WHO.PlanfortheDecadeofHealthyAging. https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/decade-of-healthy-ageing/final-decade-proposal/ decade-proposal-final-apr2020-en.pdf?sfvrsn=b4b75ebc_3 iiOzawaetal.HealthAff(Millwood).2016Nov 1;35(11):2124-2132 iii Canada.AdultVaccination.https://www.canada.ca/ en/public-health/services/vaccination-adults.html iv https://www.who.int/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization#tab=tab_1 vhttps://www.canage.ca/wp-content/ uploads/2022/01/VRC_2022_MedRel-NTL.pdf viOurpipeline.https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/ research-and-development/our-pipeline(accessed March2022)

vii GSK2021AnnualReport,p.32 viii GSK2021AnnualReport,p.19 ix CanadianInstituteforHealthInformation.(2018).

EmergencyDepartmentVisits:Volumesand MedianLengthofStaybyTriageLevel,VisitDispositionandMainProblemhttps://www.cihi.ca/en/ nacrs-emergency-department-ed-visits-volumesand-median-length-of-stay-by-triage-level-visit xCanadianInstituteforHealthInformation.(2018).

NACRSEmergencyDepartmentVisitsand LengthofStay,2017–2018https://www.cihi.ca/en/ nacrs-emergency-department-visits-and-lengthof-stay-2017-2018

xiWeinbergAetal.Influenceofageandnature ofprimaryinfectiononvaricella-zostervirusspecificcell-mediatedimmuneresponses.The Journalofinfectiousdiseases,201(7),1024-1030. Availableat:https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/201/7/1024/807004

xiiCDCShingles(HerpesZoster)BurdenandTrends. Availableat:https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/surveillance.html

“I hope that Canadian adults can take this awareness and apply it towards routine vaccinations. Canadians should know that they have access to many effective vaccines. The first step is to speak with your healthcare provider about the benefits and safety of vaccines and to understand which ones are right for you.” Speak to

xiii Shingles(HerpesZoster).Signs&Symptoms Availableat:https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/ symptoms.html

xivVaccineInformationStatements(VISs).Live ShinglesVIS.Availableat:https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/shingles.html

xv https://ca.gsk.com/en-ca/media/press-releases/ changing-attitudes-to-vaccination-post-covid-suggest-investing-in-our-own-health-is-a-key-priorityfor-many-canadians/

Abigail Cukier

Marni Freeman Country Medical Director, GSK Canada

Our vaccines scientists are focused on discovering and developing novel vaccines to help address public health challenges and get ahead of disease around the world.

With Proper Planning and Preparation, You Can Enjoy a Safe and Healthy Trip Abroad

According to Statistics Canada, the number of Canadian residents returning from visiting abroad was 7.9 million in 2021. While well below pre-pandemic numbers, this is a sign that international travel is on the minds of many Canadians. In fact, a recent survey from Expedia reported that about two thirds of Canadians are planning a “no regrets” trip for 2022.

Travel-related health risks are also on the minds of Canadians planning a trip abroad. “I think COVID-19 has created an awareness of how quickly diseases can travel and how important it is to be not only properly vaccinated but also properly educated before we go somewhere,” says Kelly Haggerty, a pharmacist at Bright’s Grove Family Pharmacy in Brights Grove, Ont.

Beyond COVID-19, there are many other infectious diseases not typically found in Canada to be aware of. A couple of years ago, for example, several southern destinations reported infections of Zika virus and chikungunya and, more recently, an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis (JE) has been reported in certain regions of Australia.

The importance of pre-departure consultation

A comprehensive consultation with a travel health care provider can help ensure a safe and healthy trip. “In addition to walking you through which vaccines and medications you’ll need, these individuals can advise on the risks associated with the destination you’re going to, whether these be political, climate change-related, or anything else,” says Dr. Aisha Khatib, Clinical Director of Travel Medicine at Medcan and Chair of the Responsible Travel Interest Group for the International Society of Travel Medicine. The ideal time to meet with your travel health care provider is six to eight weeks before departure to allow ample

time to complete any necessary vaccine schedules or get medication.

when

What to consider

planning your trip

The vaccines you’ll need depend on your destination and the types of activities you’ll be engaged in. Make sure you’re up to date with your routine immunizations. Travel vaccines to consider may include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, JE, and yellow fever. Less obvious but no less significant is rabies — a viral infection spread through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. While rare in Canada thanks to our vaccination programs for domestic animals, rabies can be a serious risk in other countries where vaccination isn’t so common. “It’s really important to talk about this one because it has a 100 percent case fatality rate,” says Dr. Khatib. “If you get bitten or scratched by an infected animal and you’re not vaccinated, you have a 10-day window to acquire immunoglobulin treatment, which is currently in short supply around the world. The good news is that if you’ve had the pre-exposure series of rabies vaccines, you’re protected for life.”

Mosquito-borne illnesses, such as malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika virus, are other serious disease risks in certain countries, as is the rare but potentially fatal JE. Vaccination may be recommended for JE, especially for those frequently travelling to South Asian countries such as China, Thailand, Taiwan, and India, where there are high populations of JE-carrying mosquitoes. Travellers

can additionally protect themselves from mosquito diseases by planning activities for low-risk exposure times, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and using insect repellent.

Food and water-borne diseases can be debilitating and ruin a trip. Diarrhea during travel can affect about 50 percent of travellers. “You could be staying in a five-star resort, but if somebody hasn’t washed their hands or you eat something that’s contaminated, you can still get travellers’ diarrhea,” says Dr. Khatib.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (E.coli), or ETEC, is one of the most common pathogens causing diarrhea in many areas of the world. Aside from applying the “boil, cook, and peel” mantra to food and water consumption, travellers may want to consider a preventive oral vaccine to help reduce the risk of a particular strain of bacteria producing a heat-sensitive toxin called LT-producing ETEC, especially if they have sensitive or compromised digestive systems.

Keep safe by understanding risks and being prepared

Other considerations for your trip include having emergency contact information and a travel first aid kit tailored to your destination. “Access to different types of medication or finding help may be difficult once you’re there, so it’s important to have these with you and your travel health care provider can help with that,” says Dr. Khatib.

Finally, if you feel sick after you return, especially if you have a fever, you should seek immediate medical attention. “Follow up with your travel health provider or go to the emergency room to make sure you haven’t picked up something that’s potentially serious or life-threatening,” says Dr. Khatib.

While no travel is completely riskfree, you can help keep yourself and the communities you’re visiting safe by understanding the risks and being prepared.

This story was created by Mediaplanet on behalf of a Canadian biopharmaceutical company.

As Canadians return to international travel, COVID-19 isn’t the only infectious disease they should be thinking about when planning their

trip.

Anne Papmehl

Kelly Haggerty Pharmacist, Bright’s Grove Family Pharmacy

Dr. Aisha Khatib Clinical Director, Travel Medicine, Medcan & Chair, Responsible Travel Interest Group for the International Society of Travel Medicine

I think COVID-19 has created an awareness of how quickly diseases can travel and how important it is to be not only properly vaccinated but also properly educated before we go somewhere.