By Joy Pierce Mathews for Summit Medical Group

Now that December is here, millions of Americans are preparing for the holidays. While getting together with friends and family can be fun, it also increases the risk of spreading illness. If you are planning to travel this holiday season, there are a few simple steps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend you take to protect your health, including: 

• Traveling only if you are healthy
• Getting a seasonal and H1N1* vaccination
• Washing your hands often and avoiding touching your face
• Covering your coughs and sneezes with your sleeve or a tissue

CDC National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease Director, Anne Schuchat, MD, says, "The holidays are one of the busiest travel times of the year. People are in close contact whether they’re on a plane, train, ship, or just visiting with loved ones." She adds that although H1N1 is a concern for many people, it does not have to ruin the holidays. "By practicing a little prevention, people can enjoy their holidays and stay well at the same time."

Although priority groups are eligible for the H1N1, Dr. Schuchat emphasizes that the vaccine supply "continues to increase." She notes, "We’re not where we want to be, but available vaccine is being quickly ordered and shipped. And we are in better shape today than we were a couple of weeks ago." Dr. Schuchat adds that new doses are promptly being delivered to patients throughout the country.

If you would like more information about the CDC Traveler’s Health campaign and recommendations for travel, please visit wwwnc.cdc.gov.

*Click here for information about CDC priority guidelines for the H1N1 vaccination.
 
Reference
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/novel-h1n1-flu.aspx. Accessed December 1, 2009.