Non-travel Vaccines & Medicine
VACCINES AREN’T JUST FOR VACATIONERS
Every year hundreds of thousands of Canadians contract vaccine-preventable infectious diseases.
HPV, shingles, and pneumonia are just some of the serious non-travel illnesses we can protect you against.
We also provide routine vaccinations for diseases like chicken pox, mumps, measles, and rubella.
Every TMVC location stocks the vaccines you may need on site.
NON TRAVEL VACCINES
Chickenpox (Varicella)
WHAT IS IT?
Varicella is a virus that causes the disease chicken pox It never leaves the body and can re-activate to cause shingles.
HOW DO I GET IT?
From other people who have it.
WHAT HAPPENS?
It causes fever, malaise, and a blistering rash The disease can cause neurological complications like encephalitis (an inflammation of a part of the brain) resulting in stroke-like symptoms.
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?
In the event of an infection, drug therapy can be taken to limit the disease. Immunization is the only prevention.
HPV(Gardasil) Vaccine
WHAT IS IT?
A virus that can cause warts and cervical, oral, and anal cancer.
There are multiple sub-types.
HOW DO I GET IT?
Direct contact with other people and indirectly from items that have been handled by carriers.
WHAT HAPPENS?
It can cause an outbreak of genital warts and longer term can cause some cancers.
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?
Vaccination is the most effective way of preventing the transmission of HPV.
Influenza
WHAT IS IT?
A virus that infects the respiratory system.
HOW DO I GET IT?
Through droplets spread by people who are infected.
WHAT HAPPENS?
Symptoms vary but at its worst, it can be fatal.
This is especially true for younger children and the elderly, or people with other medical problems.
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?
There is no effective drug treatment.
Vaccination is the best prevention.
Meningitis ACYW
WHAT IS IT ?
A bacteria that infects the brain
HOW DO I GET IT?
From being around other people that carry the disease
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?
Antibiotics can be tried but there is a high failure rate The disease can progress so quickly it is often too late Vaccination is the only effective prevention
THE HAJJ AND MENINGITIS
Heading To The Hajj? See here for more information.
Meningitis ACYW
WHAT IS IT ?
A bacteria that infects the brain
HOW DO I GET IT?
From being around other people that carry the disease
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?
Antibiotics can be tried but there is a high failure rate The disease can progress so quickly it is often too late Vaccination is the only effective prevention
THE HAJJ AND MENINGITIS
Heading To The Hajj? See here for more information.
Pneumonia
WHAT IS IT ?
A lung infection caused by a variety of bacteria
HOW DO I GET IT?
By inhaling airborne droplets typically spread by people who carry the bacteria or have the disease
WHAT HAPPENS?
The disease usually lasts weeks
Severity can vary and complications include lung abscess and fatality despite treatment
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?
Vaccination in susceptible individuals is highly effective at preventing common causes of the disease
There are 2 shots available, each protects against multiple types of bacteria
Shingles (Shingrix)
WHAT IS IT?
A viral infection caused by the “Varicella” virus.
HOW DO I GET IT?
The Varicella virus causes chickenpox when you first catch it.
But it stays in the body for years and can reactivate to cause shingles.
You can’t get shingles if you haven’t had chicken pox.
WHAT HAPPENS?
A painful blistering rash usually on one side of the body that can cause months of pain.
If it affects the ear or eye it can be even more serious.
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?
Drugs like Valtrex can be used to limit the disease if taken quickly after the rash appears but the only effective prevention is the shingles vaccine.
Tetanus Diphtheria Whooping Cough/Pertussis (TdaP)
WHAT IS IT?
Tetanus is a toxin produced by a bacteria that lives in soil.
Diphtheria is caused by a bacteria that infects the respiratory system.
Pertussis is a type of bacteria that causes whooping cough.
HOW DO I GET THESE DISEASES?
Tetanus: From cuts that get dirt in them. Eg: falling off a motorbike and getting ‘road rash’.
Diphtheria: From being around other people who carry the disease.
Pertussis: Droplets spread from people who have the disease.
WHAT HAPPENS?
Tetanus: Can cause severe muscle spasms and admission to intensive care is often required.
Symptoms can last for weeks.
Without proper care, it can be fatal.
Diphtheria: Can be treated with antitoxin and antibiotics.
Untreated it can be fatal.
Pertussis: Fever, malaise, and a barking cough which can last weeks.
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?
Vaccination is an effective prevention for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
A booster should be given every 10 years.
SHINGLES
1 in 3 Canadians over the age of 50 will suffer from shingles. The new Shingrix vaccine is an extremely effective defence. We are BC’s #1 provider of Shingrix.
GOOD TO KNOW PEOPLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO
GET A FLU SHOT WHEN THERE’S A CLINIC IN THEIR WORKPLACE
HPV
70% of people who are sexually active will be infected with at least one type of HPV at some time in their lives. Gardisil 9 protects against 9 types of HPV.