Vaccinal issues between Belgian and French travelers

Abstract

Introduction: The yellow-fever vaccination center of the Tourcoing Hospital (France) has been accessible to Belgian travelers since its opening in 1994.

Method: The authors reported the specificities of these consultations during the year 2010, by retrospectively analyzing electronic medical records.

Results: Some medical issues encountered during the consultation were due to differences in vaccination schedules: for the polio vaccine, since the last dose is administered between 5 and 7 years of age in Belgium; and for the measles vaccine since a late two-dose schedule (second dose between 12 and 13 years of age) is recommended in this country. Moreover, some specific vaccines are available only in Belgium: a diphtheria-tetanus bivalent vaccine, and a live attenuated oral typhoid vaccine.

Discussion: The specificities of the Belgian border traveler consultation in our French yellow-fever center are due to a difference in European vaccination schedules; the physician must be aware of these.

Conclusion: The physician has to propose updates on vaccination schedules, and be aware of yellow-fever vaccine compatibility with vaccines recently administered in Belgium.