Aust Fam Physician
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The field of travel medicine is undergoing rapid change. Vaccination recommendations change with disease outbreaks, emerging infections and the availability of new vaccines. The following information on typhoid and cholera vaccination should be used in conjunction with up to date information and individualised for each traveller. It is emphasised that vaccination forms just part of the pretravel health consultation and does not replace the need for appropriate preventive advice and information.
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Pneumococcal infection is a major health problem in both developed and developing countries. Adult patients with a range of chronic illnesses are at increased risk of both morbidity and mortality from this condition. ⋯ However, case control and cohort studies have established the vaccine's effectiveness in patients with a number of chronic illnesses as well as those undergoing splenectomy. The vaccine is safe and should be more widely used by practitioners with patients who meet the current NHMRC guidelines.