Passport Health offers vaccinations tailored to people’s destinations.
By Robert Annis
Robert.Annis@TheNoblesvilleLedger.com
May 2, 2006
INDIANAPOLIS — Whether you’re looking forward to an African safari, an adoption in Asia or mission work in Latin America, it’s best to plan ahead.
Passport Health, 1030 E. 86th St., can help. Part of a nationwide chain, the northside Indianapolis office opened last fall and has vaccinated people traveling to Ethiopia and Indonesia as well as first responders heading to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
“Our goal is to provide as much information to the client as possible,” said Michael Durs, president. “Our conversations depend on your health history and where you’re going. You’ve got to be careful when you’re traveling overseas, even if you’re staying at the Ritz-Carlton.”

Durs or one of the company’s nurses prepares a health report tailored to the client’s particular destination. The real-time information, obtained from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Ga., or other sources, is often more current than many countries’ official Web sites.
Washington Township (Marion County) residents Paula Davenport and Rick Voight are planning a safari to Kenya and Tanzania in August. While looking at the CDC Web site, the pair learned about Passport Health and made an appointment. After watching a 17-minute digital versatile disk with general travel information, Davenport and Voight discussed mandatory vaccinations, climate information, health alerts, consular information sheets for each country and more with Susan Bronaugh, a licensed practical nurse.
“My sister had mentioned malaria, but no one said anything about yellow fever (until we came here),” Voight said.
Yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, malaria and tetanus are the most common vaccinations that travelers need. In 50-60 countries, visitors are required to show an immunization form for yellow fever. According to Durs, if tourists return to the states without that form, they could be quarantined.
Travelers also shouldn’t wait until the last minute to get immunizations, as certain vaccinations take more than one visit.
“A lot of people in that situation will take two shots before they leave, then get the final shot when they get back,” Durs said. “That way, they’re protected.”
A series of shots can cost $300 to $1,000. Many of the vaccines are needed only once.
“Some people go into sticker shock, but what’s peace of mind worth?” Durs said about the high cost of getting vaccinated.
Passport Health doesn’t accept insurance, but it will provide clients with necessary paperwork to get reimbursed by insurance companies. The company also provides over-the-counter kits and medication to repel mosquitoes and relieve diarrhea. It is also the second-largest provider of flu shots in the nation after the federal government. Locally, Passport Health administered 32,000 flu shots this winter and has ordered 64,000 shots for the 2006-07 winter season.
While the bird-flu scare has died down — only about one in five clients ask about it, according to Durs — Passport Health is ready in case an outbreak occurs.
“(If an outbreak occurs) our (company’s) goal is to be the first responder,” Durs said. “Of course, we don’t want that business.”
For more information, call Passport Health at (317) 844-2990 or visit its Web site at www.passporthealthindiana.com
Call staff writer Robert Annis at (317) 444-5572.