International adoption continues to rise in popularity, thanks in part to celebrities like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, as well as storylines on shows such as Sex and the City. If you are planning to travel abroad in preparation for adopting a child, part of your international travel preparations should include receiving the necessary immunizations. Depending on the time of year that you are traveling and your destination, countries may have specific requirements for the immunizations travelers must have to enter the country.

Accurate and Current International Travel Health Information
Some countries, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia, have requirements about vaccinations that international visitors must have before they travel into the country. These requirements may change depending on the incidence rate of diseases. As this health context changes, Passport Health Miami continuosly monitors this information and can administer any vaccinations that you might need, as well as provide you with the required documentation.

Preparing Adoptive Families for Their Exciting Journey
Experiencing an adoptive child's country of origin can be exciting and provide an opportunity to understand his/her culture. The trip can also expose adoptive families to risks and illnesses that are not prevalent in the United States. Most of the times you are probably more likely to spend your time in an urban environment. Many diseases that are more common in foreign countries have lower incidence rates in cities than in the countryside. Nonetheless, you might need additional vaccines if your plans include venturing outside the city.

As a condition of The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, adoption agencies and adoptive families are required to obtain accreditation in order to participate in the intercountry adoption process. One part of the preparation of adoptive families includes pre-trip planning and training. Passport Health is specially equipped to help adoptive families prepare so their trip can be a special experience and unhampered by illness or complications.
Risks for adoptive families include disease exposure in orphanages, food and water borne illnesses and even just the difficulties of long distance travel. Adoptive family members should be up to date on all routine adult immunizations, such as Tetanus/Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and B, Measles/Mumps/Rubella and an adult booster of Polio, to name a few. This is in addition to the destination-specific travel immunizations and medications needed.

Passport Health works with agencies and adoptive families to ensure that everyone traveling to the adoptive child's country is informed of the risks, is immunized properly and has taken the proper precautions to make their journey a safe, healthy and wonderful experience.

At this very special time in the life of your family, Passport Health's professionals can help you take care of all your health needs. We can provide all necessary information, vaccination, medications, and documentation that you need for a safe and healthy trip.

To schedule an appointment, contact Passport Health Miami at 305-642-9889.

Visit also our Travel Medical Services page to learn more about preventative travel medicine, required and recommended vaccinations, and our customized approach to your travel immunizations.

Another valuable resource is the US Department of State's page regarding international adoption information: http://www.travel.state.gov/family/adoption/info/info_458.html