You are booked and eagerly awaiting your trip. Are shots required before take-off? This is a great question—but it does not have a one-size-fits-all answer. The need for immunization depends on a variety of factors. These factors include age, health history, pregnancy status and travel destination. Depending on where you are headed a <b>yellow fever immunization</b> may be necessary. It actually may be the law, as several countries demand a certificate from the world traveler stating they have receive the yellow fever vaccine before they will allow entry.

As of the writing of this article numerous places around the globe are red-flagged by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. Immunizations are necessary for individuals traveling to tropical and subtropical regions (dengue), Dominican republic (Cholera), Asia (chikungunya fever), Russia and Takjikistan (polio), and Indonesia (rabies). <b>Yellow fever</b> is in a class of its own, and is prevalent in numerous hotspots around the world. Anyone planning a trip anywhere in Africa or Central and South America should be immunized for yellow fever to ensure safe trip. The following is a list of who should not, under any circumstance, receive the vaccination.

The following is list of criteria which excludes a person from receiving the immunization:

• Due to the possible risk of developing viral encephalitis the vaccine should not be administered to infants under the age of six months. In many cases the vaccination should be held-off until the child is over 12 months.

• All pregnant women. This is due to the fact that there is a small chance of the fetus becoming infected with the disease through the mother.

• Any persons hypersensitive to eggs. Due to the fact that the vaccine is prepared in embryonic eggs, it is prudent that anyone allergic to eggs stay clear of the vaccine.

• Anyone with an already weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS or anyone whose immune system has been altered through leukemia or lymphoma or through drugs or radiation treatment.

A written waiver will be accepted by most countries for any of the above stated medical issues. It is recommended that a written waver be obtained from an embassy or consulate official before departure. These officials will need a <b>Travel Clinic</b> physician's letter explaining the reason for the waiver written on the physician's letterhead.