Travel Vaccine News

The Ministry of Health (MoH) in Israel recently confirmed the ninth polio case diagnosed in the Jerusalem area since March 2022.
These are Israel's first local polio cases in more than three decades.
Furthermore, testing of the virus revealed genetic links to circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 3 (cVDPV3) strains detected in environmental samples collected between September 2021 and January 2022 from sites in Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Tiberias, and Modiin Illit.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced two COVID-19 travel-related updates based on the evolving COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and internationally.
As of April 13, 2022, the CDC confirmed its Mask Order remains in effect while the agency assesses the potential impact of the rise of cases on severe disease, including hospitalizations and deaths, and healthcare system capacity.

Airports Council International (ACI) World recently published the top 10 busiest airports worldwide for 2021.
Eight of the top 10 airports for passenger traffic are located in the United States, with two in China. 
According to the ACI, total global passengers in 2021 were estimated to be about 4.5 billion, representing an increase of almost 25% from 2020 or a 50% decrease from 2019.
Both the ACI data and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reporting on April 11, 2022, indicate encouraging signs of air travel recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced a Public Health Alert advising consumers and retailers to avoid potentially contaminated raw oysters from British Columbia, Canada.
On April 4, 2022, the FDA confirmed that the agency is working with federal, state, and local officials and Canadian public health authorities regarding potential norovirus outbreaks.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced a Public Health Alert advising consumers and retailers to avoid potentially contaminated raw oysters from British Columbia, Canada.
On April 4, 2022, the FDA confirmed that the agency is working with federal, state, and local officials and Canadian public health authorities regarding potential norovirus outbreaks.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently deployed an innovative technology that enables airline passengers to use their Arizona state-issued mobile driver’s license or mobile identification card in Apple Wallet to verify their identity for airport security screening purposes.
Starting at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), PreCheck® passengers with driver’s licenses or state IDs issued by the State of Arizona will be able to add a digital version of their license or ID to their Apple Wallet for TSA identity verification purposes.

Researchers with the Georgia Institute of Technology recently stated in a press release, ‘If you’re looking for an indoor space with a low level of particulate air pollution, a commercial airliner flying at cruising altitude could be your best option.’
An Original Article on air quality in indoor spaces published by peer-reviewed journal Wiley Only on March 1, 2022, shows while in-flight, aircraft cabins have one of the lowest levels of tiny aerosol particles.
This is because aircraft air is generally exchanged between 10 and 30 times per hour.

An innovative cruise line recently announced it is enhancing the preboarding guest experience and making embarkation easier by adding facial recognition and vaccine verification programs.
Holland America Line confirmed on March 18, 2022, all U.S., Canadian and European homeports will be implementing these digital technologies.
mBark is a mobile system that enables guests to digitally check in for their pending voyage.

Just as Spring Break 2022 travelers are booking last-minute flights, rushing through airport security has become easier when ‘looking’ into unique cameras.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoints at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) recently introduced facial recognition technology to verify the identity of prospective flyers.

Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) recently announced that the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) had approved the use of single-dose Kozenis (tafenoquine) in children in combination with chloroquine for the prevention of relapse of Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) malaria.
The TGA approval confirmed on March 14, 2022, includes a novel, 50 mg dispersible tablet that can be dispersed in water and developed by GSK in partnership with MMV to facilitate use in children who are disproportionately affected by the disease.