Vaccines for foreign travel.

Exotic infections are a significant threat to the child traveling to or going to live in the developing world. Vaccines are available that can prevent some of these infections. It is essential that basic routine childhood vaccination be up to date and that necessary modifications be made from the usual schedule in the United States. The current requirements and local disease conditions (both endemic and epidemic) for each country to be visited must be known so that appropriate vaccines are received. Resources for this information are listed. Details for each vaccine are given, including indications, dose, booster, side effects, contraindications, and other specific information.