Travel Vaccinations

International Travel Vaccinations

Travel vaccines are important because they protect against life-threatening diseases. Seeing a travel medicine specialist to determine the necessary vaccines for your itinerary and individual health is the first and most important step that you should take in preparing for international travel.

It is best to schedule your appointment with one of our travel clinics as soon as your itinerary is finalized, as some vaccines require 2-3 doses spaced out over several months. You can get all your travel vaccinations at any Travel Clinic of America. Search now to find a provider in your area.

Types of Vaccinations

Required Travel Vaccinations

Some countries require yellow fever and meningitis vaccinations. While these vaccines protect you, they are mandated by foreign governments to also protect their citizens. You must present your International Certificate of Vaccination, also known as Yellow Card, to enter these countries. Once you are vaccinated, your Travel Clinics of America specialist will provide this certification to you.

Routine Travel Immunizations

Routine immunizations begin at birth and are updated as needed throughout one’s lifetime. Bring your immunizations records, if available, to your appointment with your travel clinic or travel medicine provider.

Routine immunizations include Tdap, Polio, MMR, Varicella, Pneumonia, Rotavirus, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Meningitis. Preparing for travel provides an excellent opportunity to update these routine immunizations.

Vaccines preventing HPV and shingles have been recently developed. Ask your travel clinic about these immunizations at your appointment.

Again, while it is optimal to start travel vaccinations several months before you travel, a travel shot may offer protection even if administered within a few days of your departure.

Recommended Travel Vaccinations

Recommended travel vaccinations depend on your destination, health status, age and the details of your itinerary. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) websites provide general guidelines. Your travel clinic provider will advise you on which immunizations are appropriate for you. Recommended vaccines include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Polio and Japanese Encephalitis.

As always, while it is optimal to start travel vaccinations several months before you travel, many vaccinations offer protection even if administered within a few days of your departure.

The CDC summarizes your healthy travel strategy in this video