Selling Health Tips to Globe Trotters

October 26, 2009-- Dispensing advice and vaccines for world travelers is paying off for this growing franchise business.
(Fortune Small Business) While running health services at the University of Baltimore in the early 1990s, Fran Lessans met a law student who was petrified about the prospect of attending her mother-in-law's funeral in Ghana. The young woman had visited the country once before but ended up getting sick and spending two weeks in the hospital. For the funeral trip, she'd done her homework and gotten the right shots, Lessans recalls. But no one had counseled her about water purification and what foods to avoid.

In 1994, Lessans founded Passport Health to provide counseling and vaccines for travelers headed overseas. "I noticed that when people got good counseling they stayed healthy, so we spend about an hour with each of our travelers," says Lessans, 61.


In 1997, she started franchising the company, which has since grown to more than 160 locations nationwide. Franchisees pay a onetime $35,000 franchise fee, as well as 7% of all revenues. Altogether they deliver 30,000 to 40,000 injections a month.


The franchise network has landed contracts with such national corporations as Macy's (M, Fortune 500) and PNC Bank (PNC, Fortune 500), driving revenues from $5 million in 2003 to $37 million last year. About 60% of the company's sales come from providing vaccines to travelers, and the rest from flu vaccines delivered during the fall.


"Doing both was an intentional way to balance revenue streams," says Lessans. "I didn't think travel would be enough to sustain the revenue model."


That turned out to be a canny choice this year. An international travel slump provoked a 10% slump in Passport's travel vaccine sales, Lessans says. But franchisees have seen a 10% increase in flu shot bookings because the swine flu scare has reminded people to get their regular flu shots as well. She expects 2009 revenues to be about level with last year's.


Before swine flu arrived, the influenza vaccine market "was already growing pretty consistently," says Bruce Carlson, publisher at Kalorama Information, a medical industry research firm. He attributes some of that growth to America's aging population. According to Kalorama, flu vaccine sales hit $3.2 billion in 2008, up 15.1% from 2007, and should rise 16.6% annually through 2013.

Swine Flu Vaccine Closer to Release

BALTIMORE- 9/24/09- The novel H1N1 virus (Swine Flu Virus) is expected to complicate the 2009/2010 flu season. At this time novel H1N1 vaccine has been approved for release but availability and access is still unknown. Seasonal influenza vaccine (flu shot) is available and the CDC recommends vaccination as flu season peaks over the next few months.

The H1N1 vaccine will most likely start to be released in mid to late October, “but the supply will be limited and only those at highest risk will be able to receive it,” stated Fran Lessans, founder and CEO of Passport Health, the largest private provider of travel medical services and immunizations in the nation. “We still do not know when the general public will be able to receive the H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccine. We recommend that everyone get a seasonal flu vaccine.”

Passport Health plans to administer the novel H1N1 vaccine as a community vaccinator and has been attending weekly conference calls held by the CDC who will ultimately determine who receives it and who administers it.

Those at highest risk include:

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age.
• Healthcare and emergency medical personnel.
• Those between 6 months and 24 years.
• People 25 through 64 years with chronic health issues.

“Businesses have to understand the storm that’s coming and take measures to insure their viability since the Swine Flu is highly contagious. They should have a pandemic plan in place which should include a seasonal influenza program and possibly antivirals,” continued Lessans. “There should also be special guidelines to follow if businesses are sending their workers overseas.”

Passport Health is gearing up for what will be undoubtedly be a “challenging” flu season, as described by Lessans. “Our priority is to help immunize the public against the seasonal flu first, and then assist in the administration of novel H1N1”. Lessans also explained that demand for the seasonal flu vaccine has increased significantly and manufacturers are having problems delivering the vaccine. “We have been through shortages before, and it’s challenging, but we have always been able to pull through.” Passport Health conducts on-site flu clinics for corporations nationwide and has an antiviral program in place.

For more information visit http://swineflu.passporthealthusa.com. To schedule an on-site flu clinic, contact Passport Health at 1-888-499-PASS (7277).

Jorge Castillo

Jorge.castillo@passporthealthusa.com

410.727.0556

Travel Health Tips for Typhoon Volunteers Traveling to Philippines and Vietnam

October 5, 2009-Country Information: Typhoon Ketsana dumped more than a month’s worth of rain on Manila and surrounding areas in a 24-hour period Sept. 26, flooding 80 percent of the city of 15 million people. Almost 250 people were reported killed and dozens were missing. Ketsana then moved on to Vietnam, where it killed at least 38 people and threatened to cause the worst flooding in decades in the central provinces. In both countries thousands of volunteers were mobilized to evacuate people, and carry out needs assessments, as well as provide food and water to survivors. Contaminated water and unsanitary conditions are a real issue to volunteers in the region. Unders these conditions, disease can spread quickly.

Visas: Philippines-- U.S. citizens are allowed to enter the Philippines without visas for a stay not exceeding twenty-one (21) days, provided they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or next port of destination and their passports valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the contemplated period of stay. However, Immigration Officers at ports of entry may exercise their discretion to admit holders of passports valid for at least sixty (60) days beyond the intended period of stay.

Vietnam-- A valid passport and Vietnamese visa or visa exemption document from a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. Entry visas are not available upon arrival. Vietnamese visas are usually valid for only one entry. Persons planning to leave Vietnam and re-enter from another country should be sure to obtain a visa allowing multiple entries. U.S. citizens wishing to travel to Laos by a land route should obtain the type of Vietnamese visa that adheres to the passport. Detachable visas are removed by Vietnamese immigration authorities upon departure, thereby eliminating any documentation of leaving Vietnam, which is required by Laos immigration for entry. This situation can result in the traveler being returned to Vietnam. Even while in possession of a valid visa, some travelers have been refused entry to Vietnam.

Medical Issues for region:

• Water and food-borne diseases such as leptospirosis (one death in Philippines) and diarrhea. There is also a greater risk of acute respiratory infection and injuries/wound infection from doing repairs after the floods. Health care waste management is also a priority. Water purification devices are a must.
• Schistosomiasis: Endemic in the south of Phillipines. Avoid swimming and paddling in stagnant fresh water.
• Malaria: Vietnam-- Rural, forested areas, except none in the Red River delta and the coast north of Nha Trang. None in Can Tho, Da Nang, Haiphong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Hue, Nha Trang, and Qui Nhon. Philippines-- Risk throughout the year in areas below 600m, except in the Provinces of Bohol, Catanduanes, Cebu and Manila.
• Avian Flu: 109 cases confirmed to date in Vietnam, 53 have been fatal. Antivirals recommended.
• Dengue Fever: 44,571 cases and 37 deaths confirmed. Mosquito repellent and Permethrin
• Chikungunya fever is particularly common in urban areas of the central islands, such as Manila.

Consult with your medical insurance company to confirm policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Medical facilities in Vietnam do not meet international standards and frequently lack medicines and supplies. Medical personnel in Vietnam, particularly outside Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, may speak little or no English. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services. International health clinics in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City can provide acceptable care for minor illnesses and injuries, but more serious problems will often require medical evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore.

Critical Vaccines:

• Pneumonia: Upper and lower respiratory cases reported. Recommended for those with Asthma, chronic conditions or over 50 years of age.
• Hep A & B: Highly recommended. Hep A is easily transmitted in food and contaminated water.
• MMR: Ten cases reported in one Philippines’ evacuation center. Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccination recommended. 2 doses recommended for those born after 1956, if not previously given.
• Typhoid: Typhoid Fever spread by contaminated food and water.
• Yellow Fever: Required in Philippines if travelers come from countries where yellow fever is present.
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/acellular Pertussis: Booster recommended every five years for foreign travel or injury. CDC now recommends Tdap for ages 11-64. May boost with Tdap if it has been 2+ years since last Td booster.
• Pre-Rabies: Outbreak in Vietnam and present in Philippines. For travelers spending a lot of time outdoors, or at high risk for animal bites, or involved in any activities that might bring them into direct contact with bats.

Security & Safety: Crucial security info at The Department of State Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts.

Philippines-- The southern island of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago are of particular concern. Travelers should exercise extreme caution in both central and western Mindanao as well as in the Sulu Archipelago. A number of robberies and assaults involving the “date rape drug” (known locally as Ativan) have occurred; the drug is generally administered to unwitting male or female victims via food or drink. It is best not to accept food, drink, or rides in private vehicles from strangers, even if they appear legitimate. Vietnamà Border areas with China, Cambodia and Laos are not always marked, and there are no warnings about prohibited travel. Travelers should avoid such areas unless written permission is obtained in advance from local authorities. Passengers riding in cyclos (pedicabs) are prone to thefts of personal possessions by snatch-and-grab thieves. It may be risky to hire cyclos not associated with reputable hotels or restaurants. The Department of State encourages all U.S. citizens traveling or residing abroad to register via the State Department's travel registration.

Other Issues for Volunteers during tropical storms:

- secure loose outdoor items (limbs, roofing material, windows (coverings), doors, debris (trash), etc.)

- fill vehicle, generator fuel, and water tanks

- check and charge radios

- charge cell phones

- order bottled water; make ice

- gather flashlights, tools, and first aid supplies

- procure fresh batteries, candles, matches, water, groceries (canned and/or dry foods), and pet supplies

- assure an adequate supply of first aid materials and prescription medications

For more information contact your local Passport Health office at 1-888-499-PASS(7277) or visit www.passporthealthusa.com. More health alerts at:http://www.passporthealthusa.com/home.HealthAlerts.html