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Raj Palraj, M.B.B.S., M.D.

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9 common questions about vaccines and travel

• Immunizations

Travel does more than just transport you to a different place. It can broaden your perspective, increase your happiness, give you a chance to try new things, boost your creativity and help you recharge. Even planning a trip can be an exciting task. The anticipation of mapping an itinerary and scheduling your must-see attractions can bring a lot of joy and happiness.

One of the most important tasks before taking a trip is to make an appointment with a travel medicine specialist. These health care professionals help keep travelers safe and happy before and after their journeys.

Here are answers to common questions about travel medicine:

1. who should make an appointment with a travel medicine specialist.

Anyone planning a trip overseas can benefit from seeing a travel medicine specialist. However, a travel clinic appointment is critical if you are traveling to underdeveloped or developing countries where there's a higher risk of contracting severe communicable illnesses while abroad. It is also important for patients with certain medical conditions that make their immune systems weaker and more vulnerable to infectious diseases.

2. What vaccinations do I need to travel overseas?

All travelers should be vaccinated against the flu and current with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.

In addition, it's important to complete the adult vaccination schedule that includes vaccinations for:

• Chickenpox (varicella)
• Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP)
• Pneumococcal
• Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)

Additional vaccines may be recommended depending on your travel itinerary. For example, hepatitis A vaccination is recommended if you are traveling to Southeast Asia. During your appointment, we can discuss which vaccines are appropriate for your itinerary.

3. Are there travel destinations that have different vaccination recommendations?

Yes. Infectious diseases thrive in different climates. If you travel to a new climate, you may be exposed to diseases to which you don't have any immunity.

Some infections are more prevalent in tropical settings compared to temperate climates. For example, typhoid and hepatitis A are more common in Southeast Asia because these communicable diseases can be spread through contaminated water. Some areas of Africa and South America have a higher prevalence of yellow fever and malaria, which are mosquito-borne infections.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has good information online for travelers for each travel destination.

Recommended vaccines may include:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Japanese encephalitis
• Yellow fever

4. Can my primary care provider give me travel vaccinations?

It depends on your travel destinations and vaccine recommendations. I recommend starting the conversation with your primary care provider and reviewing the CDC recommendations .

If you have a complex itinerary with multiple countries or are traveling to Southeast Asia or Africa, it's better to make an appointment at the travel clinic. I also would recommend patients with organ transplants and immunocompromising conditions seek travel medicine consultation to reduce the risk of illness during travel. During that appointment, we will review your itinerary, provide necessary vaccinations and discuss ways to prevent mosquito-borne or tick-borne diseases.

5. How long before my trip should I go to the travel clinic?

Plan to have an appointment at least four weeks before you travel. Some vaccines require several weeks for immunity to develop, while others require more than one dose of vaccine for full protection.

If your trip is to an underdeveloped or developing country, you may need to schedule an appointment up to two months in advance to receive a complete set of immunizations. This gives your body time to produce the protective antibodies, so you are well protected when you land at your destination.

6. Can I only go to the travel clinic before I travel?

No. The Travel and Tropical Medicine Clinic is available before or after travel. The team can provide consultative services and treatment if you get sick after you return home.

7. I'm going to an all-inclusive resort. Will I have a lower risk of getting sick?

Maybe, but no traveler should take safety for granted. Even in an all-inclusive resort, knowing how food is prepared or the water supply quality is not possible. Mosquitos and other insects could still be a concern. It's important to take all necessary precautions and follow vaccination recommendations when you travel, regardless of your accommodations.

8. How do I lower my risk of malaria when traveling?

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite. It's spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Prophylactic malaria medications are available and are started before the travel, continued during the stay and for a certain duration after returning home. A travel medicine specialist can review the risks and benefits of all prevention and treatment options.

9. How do I stay healthy while traveling?

Nothing can ruin a trip like illness. Make sure all your vaccinations and boosters are up to date, and get any new vaccinations recommended for your destinations.

Food and water safety is important while traveling. Only eat well-cooked food. Avoid eating from roadside stands and uncooked foods, like salad and raw vegetables. Drink bottled beverages only, including bottled water. This is especially important if you travel in resource-limited regions, such as Southeast Asia or Africa.

Hand hygiene is important at home and overseas. Wash your hands often using soap and hot water. Avoid crowded places, follow respiratory etiquette and consider optional masking. Mosquitos and bugs can transmit parasites and diseases, like yellow fever and malaria. Use mosquito repellents. Mosquito nets may be appropriate in some parts of the world, as well.

As you make travel plans, schedule an appointment with a travel medicine specialist to get the vaccinations and information you need to be healthy and safe on your journey.

Raj Palraj, M.D. , is a physician in Infectious Diseases and Travel and Tropical Medicine in La Crosse , Wisconsin.

Related Posts

Immunization Information for International Travelers

• Immunization Information for International Travelers Home
• International Travel Health Clinics
• Criteria for Clinics Providing Yellow Fever Vaccinations

Related Topics

• International Travel and Infectious Diseases
• Measles (Rubeola)
• Mosquitoborne Diseases

Contact Info

International travel health clinics serving minnesota residents.

The international travel vaccines you need depend on your travel destination, age, current medical condition, occupation and lifestyle. Start planning now. Some vaccines take up to six months for the entire series.

The Minnesota Department of Health does not provide international travel health consultation or travel shots. Information on international travel shots and other travel health issues including disease and concerns about food and water supplies is available by country on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Travelers' Health .

• If you are going to Africa, Central America, or South America , you may need yellow fever vaccine or other vaccines your health care provider might not have. International travel health clinics are the only places that can give yellow fever vaccine. The international travel health clinics listed below are authorized to administer yellow fever vaccine. They also provide a variety of other pre- and post-travel services to travelers. To find other clinics authorized to administer yellow fever vaccine visit CDC: Search for Yellow Fever Vaccination Clinics .
• If you are going to Europe, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Australia, or New Zealand , your health care provider should be able to give you the shots you need. If you are going to any other country than those just listed, an international travel health clinic is your best resource.
• Don't just get your international travel shots! It’s a good idea for adults and children to be up to date with routine vaccines before they leave the country. If you are not sure if you or your children are up to date with routine shots, call your health care provider. More information is also available on our Immunization website.

NOTE: Always call the clinic before going. Most require an appointment and may require you to see a health care provider first.

The international travel health clinics listed below are authorized to administer yellow fever vaccine. They also provide a variety of other pre- and post-travel services to travelers.

Greater Minnesota clinics  

• Sanford Health Broadway Clinic Alexandria 320-762-0399
• Mayo Clinic Health System - Austin Austin 507-434-1020
• Essentia Health - Brainerd Clinic Brainerd 218-828-7100
• Essentia Health - Duluth Clinic Duluth 218-786-3926
• St. Luke's Infectious Disease Associates Duluth 218-249-7990
• Allina Health - Faribault Faribault 507-334-3921
• Hutchinson Health Clinic Hutchinson 320-587-2020
• Mayo Clinic Health System - Mankato Mankato 507-594-5857
• Mayo Clinic Travel and Tropical Medicine Clinic Rochester 507-255-7763
• Olmsted Medical Center Rochester 507-288-3443
• CentraCare - Northway Family Medicine St. Cloud 320-251-1775
• Carris Health - Willmar Willmar Phone: 320-231-5070

Twin Cities metropolitan clinics  

• M Health Fairview - Apple Valley Clinic Apple Valley 952-997-4100
• Noble Parkway Medical Clinic Brooklyn Park 763-496-1562
• Park Nicollet Travel Clinic Burnsville Burnsville 952-993-3131
• Passport Health - Edina Travel Clinic Edina 877-358-8648
• Park Nicollet Travel Clinic Maple Grove Maple Grove 952-993-3131
• Minneapolis Health Clinic Golden Valley 763-496-5708
• Allina Health - Nicollet Mall Minneapolis 612-333-8883
• Allina Health - Uptown Minneapolis 612-824-1772
• Boynton Health Travel Clinic Minneapolis 612-625-8400
• HealthPartners Travel and Tropical Medicine Center Minneapolis 952-541-2611
• Hennepin Healthcare - International Travel Medicine  Minneapolis 612-873-2942
• Homeland Health Specialists Minneapolis 763-746-8060
• M Health Fairview Infectious Disease Clinic Minneapolis 612-625-4680
• M Health Fairview - Uptown Clinic Minneapolis 612-827-4751
• Northwest Family Physicians Minneapolis 763-287-6500
• Park Nicollet Clinic Minneapolis 952-993-3131
• Crown Medical Support Services Clinic Minneapolis 612-978-3783
• HealthPartners Travel and Tropical Medicine Center St. Paul 651-254-7044
• M Health Fairview - Bethesda Clinic St. Paul 651-227-6551
• Passport Health - St. Paul Travel Clinic St. Paul 877-358-8648
• Allina Health - Shoreview Shoreview 651-483-5461
• Allina Health - Woodbury Woodbury 651-241-3000

Clinics near Minnesota borders  

• North Iowa Mercy Internal Medicine Mason City, IA 800-756-4423
• Fargo/Cass Public Health Department Fargo, ND 701-298-6938
• Altru Main Clinic Grand Forks, ND 701-780-6234
• Sanford Health Sioux Falls, SD 605-328-8120
• Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center La Crosse, WI 800-362-9567
• St. Croix Regional Medical Center St. Croix Falls, WI 800-828-3627

Where can I get information on travel shots?  

The Minnesota Department of Health does not provide travel health consultation or travel vaccines. Use one of these Centers for Disease Control and Prevention resources below to learn about travel vaccines and other travel health issues. If you have insurance, call your health plan's member services office to see if you are covered for your travel vaccines.

• CDC Travelers' Health Health information for specific destinations or diseases, plus general travel health tips.
• Contact CDC: 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: 888-232-6348

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Find a travel health clinic

It is recommended that you contact a doctor, nurse or health care provider, or visit a travel health clinic, preferably six weeks before you travel.

Travel health services are available in most communities or through your family doctor. One way to find a health care site that provides travel health services is through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s list of designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres. 

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Travel Medicine

Find a travel clinic in san diego at scripps health.

Whether you are taking a trip for business or personal reasons, the travel medicine services at Scripps Health are tailored to meet your individual travel needs with the goal of keeping you healthy during and after your trip.

Illness is not uncommon while traveling so preparation can be an effective method of prevention. Taking your destination and unique health history into consideration, our travel clinics can help you travel smart and stay well while away from home.

Services we provide may include:

• Recommended and required immunizations to prevent illnesses, such as malaria, typhoid and yellow fever
• Preventive medications for infectious diseases
• Health information to reduce the risk of injury or illness while traveling abroad
• The latest updates on safety and security precautions, and medical evacuation

All patients can benefit greatly from a pre-travel consultation, which should be scheduled at least one month prior to travel, if possible.

Travel medicine services are offered at the following Scripps Health locations in San Diego County:

• Scripps Clinic Carmel Valley
• Scripps Coastal Medical Center Hillcrest
• Scripps Coastal Medical Center Vista

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Vaccines for Travelers

Vaccines protect travelers from serious diseases. Depending on where you travel, you may come into contact with diseases that are rare in the United States, like yellow fever. Some vaccines may also be required for you to travel to certain places.

Getting vaccinated will help keep you safe and healthy while you’re traveling. It will also help make sure that you don’t bring any serious diseases home to your family, friends, and community.

On this page, you'll find answers to common questions about vaccines for travelers.

Which vaccines do I need before traveling?

The vaccines you need to get before traveling will depend on few things, including:

• Where you plan to travel . Some countries require proof of vaccination for certain diseases, like yellow fever or polio. And traveling in developing countries and rural areas may bring you into contact with more diseases, which means you might need more vaccines before you visit.
• Your health . If you’re pregnant or have an ongoing illness or weakened immune system, you may need additional vaccines.
• The vaccinations you’ve already had . It’s important to be up to date on your routine vaccinations. While diseases like measles are rare in the United States, they are more common in other countries. Learn more about routine vaccines for specific age groups .

How far in advance should I get vaccinated before traveling?

It’s important to get vaccinated at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel. This will give the vaccines time to start working, so you’re protected while you’re traveling. It will also usually make sure there’s enough time for you to get vaccines that require more than 1 dose.

Where can I go to get travel vaccines?

Start by finding a:

• Travel clinic
• Health department
• Yellow fever vaccination clinic

Learn more about where you can get vaccines .

What resources can I use to prepare for my trip?

Here are some resources that may come in handy as you’re planning your trip:

• Visit CDC’s travel website to find out which vaccines you may need based on where you plan to travel, what you’ll be doing, and any health conditions you have.
• Download CDC's TravWell app to get recommended vaccines, a checklist to help prepare for travel, and a personalized packing list. You can also use it to store travel documents and keep a record of your medicines and vaccinations.
• Read the current travel notices to learn about any new disease outbreaks in or vaccine recommendations for the areas where you plan to travel.
• Visit the State Department’s website to learn about vaccinations, insurance, and medical emergencies while traveling.

Traveling with a child? Make sure they get the measles vaccine.

Measles is still common in some countries. Getting your child vaccinated will protect them from getting measles — and from bringing it back to the United States where it can spread to others. Learn more about the measles vaccine.

Find out which vaccines you need

CDC’s Adult Vaccine Quiz helps you create a list of vaccines you may need based on your age, health conditions, and more.

Take the quiz now !

Get Immunized

Getting immunized is easy. Vaccines and preventive antibodies are available at the doctor’s office or pharmacies — and are usually covered by insurance.

Find out how to get protected .

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5 Reasons To Visit a Travel Medicine Clinic Before Going Abroad

October 24, 2021

Regardless of where your visit to an exotic destination may be, it’s important that you're able to enjoy the time away.  While a trip to any exotic locale is sure to be memorable, it also comes with health risks.  A visit to a travel medicine clinic can help address these risks.

Why Visit a Travel Clinic?

“A visit to a travel clinic can help a traveler avoid minor illness, which may be inconvenient or spoil part of a trip -- and more important -- can help prevent life-threatening illnesses like malaria, typhoid fever or yellow fever,” says infectious disease specialist  Keith Armitage, MD , a physician with the  UH Roe Green Center for Travel Medicine and Global Health .

Here are a few key reasons to visit a travel medicine clinic for your needs before traveling abroad, Dr. Armitage says:

Get Vaccinated

Vaccinations will prevent you from illness and infection while abroad. When you travel, you may encounter diseases you may not already be vaccinated against, which are not present in the United States, such as yellow fever. You may even need several immunizations to keep you protected on your trip, depending on where you go.

Obtain Medicine to Treat Illnesses

When you visit a travel medicine clinic, you may be prescribed medication for common illnesses for general travel overseas as well as illnesses specific to your location. Medication can be used to treat motion sickness, diarrhea, malaria and other issues while you're abroad.

Receive Education on Food and Water Safety

You will also want to be aware of what is safe to eat and drink while on your trip. A travel medicine expert can provide insight on safe food and water habits for your destination. Regardless of destination, it is important you wash and sanitize your hands frequently, especially before eating, to limit your risk of illness.

Understand Safety Requirements for Special Health Needs

Not all travelers are created equally and may have different health and safety concerns. If you are pregnant, have a weakened immune system, or are an older adult, you might need additional or different vaccinations to ensure your safety. A travel medicine physician can provide specific healthcare expertise for your needs.

Discuss Safe Travel Habits

Your travel medicine provider will also share specifics around safe travel with you. This may include mention of traveling in groups at night and monitoring alcohol consumption. Your travel medicine expert will want to ensure you adhere to practices that maximize your enjoyment and minimize your risk of illness on a trip.

Related Links

As you think about planning for your healthcare needs for your next big trip, the clinicians at the UH Roe Green Center for Travel Medicine and Global Health  are ready to help you prepare to be safe and healthy while you build lifelong memories.

Tags: Vaccines , Food- and Water-Borne Illnesses , Mosquito-Borne Illnesses

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Travel Clinic

As trips to exotic destinations becomes more common, travelers increasingly are exposed to infectious diseases which are not present or common at home. Fortunately, many of these diseases can be prevented through vaccination, medication, and some simple precautions.

All patients at the MCG Travel Clinic get an individualized assessment of their needs based on their travel itinerary and personal medical history. They are counseled regarding precautions to take during travel. Anti-malarial medication and antibiotics for Traveler's diarrhea are prescribed when necessary. The Travel Clinic also provides necessary vaccinations. We are a certified yellow fever vaccine station.

Evaluation of infections acquired during travel is also available. A previous visit prior to travel greatly facilitates the evaluation of signs and symptoms of infections that may develop later.

Travelers are seen by appointment only. Appointments for the Travel Clinic can be made by calling 721-1450. You will be asked for your travel itinerary so that an appropriate set of recommendations can be prepared for you. In order to allow vaccinations to take effect,  appointments should be scheduled at least 1 month before departure .

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Destinations travel clinic.

Walk-In Clinic

Patient services, patient enrollment, patient upload, prescription renewals: how does it work.

• As per clinic policy, it is the patient’s responsibility to track when medication refills are running low.
• Please note that a fax request from your pharmacist DOES NOT automatically renew your prescription— an appointment with your family doctor is required.
• We kindly ask that patients call to book an appointment in advance , as it can sometimes take 2+ weeks to get in to see your doctor.
• Contact your pharmacy
• Inform them of your upcoming appointment date
• Request a prescription extension from your pharmacist to tide you over until your appointment date.

** Please note: prescription extensions are done at the pharmacist’s discretion , and there may be a standard charge for this service. **

Orleans family health clinic.

Please note: It is our clinic policy that we do not accept infants or children under 5 years of age unless at least one parent or guardian is also registered as a patient of Orleans Family Health Clinic.

Frequently asked questions

How long will it take before I can see my family doctor? We are unable to accurately predict wait times. Patients are seen in order of arrival and the length of their visit with the physician depends on the nature of their visit. On occasion a patient may be seen ahead of others due to an emergent matter.

Why are some patients being taken to see a doctor before others? There are many doctors working at the clinic. Patients are taken back according to who they are seeing and whether they have a booked appointment with their family physician. Not all of the patients and doctors you may see in the clinic are servicing the walk in on that day. Patients of Orleans Family Health Clinic are able to book an appointment with their own family doctor. There may also be instances where some patient are given priority in the event of a medical emergency.

Can I come in to see a doctor for a travel medicine consults to see if I need any vaccines or drugs for my trip? Travel Medicine services are not covered by OHIP but are highly recommended before you travel abroad. We are pleased to provide comprehensive travel medicine consultations at our location provided by Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic. They will be pleased to provide you and your family with a personalized travel medicine consult, and can recommend any medications or administer any vaccines that you may need for your trip.

Can I discuss my results with the doctor over the phone? Our physicians do NOT give telephone advice and it is always better make an appointment with your physician to discuss your results in person. If you do require telephone advice, you may call Telehealth Ontario at 1 866-797-0000 .

Can someone else call on my behalf to find out my test results? Due to the Privacy Act we are unable to disclose information regarding your health over the phone or in person, to anyone other than the patient without expressed consent.

Can I renew my prescription over the phone? No, it is always a better idea to come in and see a physician to renew your medication.

Click here to refill your prescriptions online or contact Centrum Pharmacy.

What services are not covered by OHIP? Please check the Non Insured Services page.

What if I cannot attend my scheduled appointment with my doctor? Patients are required to call and cancel their appointment with at least 48 hours of notice. Appointments missed without notice or recurrent missed appointments may be subject to $50 fee for a regular appointment and an $85 fee for a missed physical appointment.

Our group of Family Doctors are now a FHO (Family Health Organization).

What is a FHO? A group of family physicians working together to provide primary car to patients, this includes on evenings and weekends.

We encourage you to schedule regular visits for prescriptions, reassessment of chronic issues and preventive care with your physician.

Patients are strongly encouraged to see their physician before going to a walk-in clinic. In the FHO model of care this has implications for your family physician.

If your physician is unavailable, another physician in the group can see you for the acute or urgent issues.

After hours clinics will be available for all rostered patients for acute conditions.

THE AFTER HOURS CLINIC AS FOLLOWS:

Monday to Thursday  5pm – 8pm

Saturdays  9am – 3pm

EMERGENCY? CALL 9-1-1

If you have a life-threatening medical emergency, contact 911 immediately.

Dial 911 to call an ambulance. Calling this number is free from any phone. Once in contact with the 911 operator, notify them of any health problems you or someone you know is facing. They will be able to evaluate the urgency of the situation and send an ambulance if needed.

For non-life-threatening conditions, same day emergency appointments are available with your doctor. (Please note that same day emergency appointments MUST be booked in the morning.)

After hours or on holidays, please call Telehealth Advisory (1-866-797-0000) to speak with a registered nurse. This service is free, confidential and available 24/7.

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Before You Travel

Before you travel, take steps to prepare so you can stay safe and healthy during your trip.

Check CDC’s destination pages for travel health information . Check CDC’s webpage for your destination to see what vaccines or medicines you may need and what diseases or health risks are a concern at your destination.

Make sure you are up to date on all of your routine vaccines . Routine vaccinations protect you from infectious diseases such as measles that can spread quickly in groups of unvaccinated people. Many diseases prevented by routine vaccination are not common in the United States but are still common in other countries.

Know Your Health Status

Make an appointment with your healthcare provider or a travel health specialist  that takes place at least one month before you leave. They can help you get destination-specific vaccines, medicines, and information. Discussing your health concerns, itinerary, and planned activities with your provider allows them to give more specific advice and recommendations.

Learn About Blood Clots

Airplane travel, especially flights longer than 4 hours, may increase your risk for blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Learn how to prevent blood clots during travel.

Share the following information about yourself or your trip with your provider:

• Special conditions such as pregnancy, allergies, or chronic health problems.
• Destinations on your itinerary.
• Type of accommodations (hotels, hostels, short term rentals).
• Type of travel (cruise, business, adventure travel).
• Timing and length of your trip.
• Planned activities.

Take recommended medicines as directed. If your doctor prescribes medicine for you, take the medicine as directed before, during, and after travel. Counterfeit drugs are common in some countries, so only take medicine that you bring from home and make sure to pack enough for the duration of your trip, plus extra in case of travel delays. Learn more about traveling abroad with medicine .

Plan for the Unexpected

Sometimes unexpected issues occur during travel. Learn what you can do before you leave to protect yourself and your travel companions.

Get travel insurance.  Find out if your health insurance covers medical care abroad. Travelers are usually responsible for paying hospital and other medical expenses out of pocket at most destinations. Make sure you have a plan to  get care overseas , in case you need it. Consider buying  additional insurance  that covers health care and emergency evacuation, especially if you will be traveling to remote areas.

There are different types of travel insurance such as trip cancellation insurance, travel health insurance and medical evacuation insurance. Learn more about travel insurance .

Enroll with the Department of State’s  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  (STEP) . Check for and monitor any travel advisories for your destination. Enrolling also ensures that the  US Department of State  knows where you are if you have serious legal, medical, or financial difficulties while traveling. In the event of an emergency at home, STEP can also help friends and family contact you.

Prepare for emergencies. Leave copies of important travel documents (e.g. itinerary, contact information, credit cards, passport, proof of school enrollment) with someone at home, in case you lose them during travel. Make sure someone at home knows how to reach you in an emergency. Carry your emergency contacts with you at all times.

Some other tips to prepare for emergencies:

• Write down the contact information of people or services you may need while abroad.
• Check in with someone regularly during your trip.
• Dial 1-888-407-4747 if calling from the United States or Canada,
• Dial 00 1 202-501-4444 if calling from overseas, or
• Let family members know they can contact the embassy or consulate for help if they are worried about your safety while abroad.

Prepare a  travel health kit  with items you may need, especially those items that may be difficult to find at your destination. Include your prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines in your travel health kit and take enough to last your entire trip, plus extra in case of travel delays. Depending on your destination you may also want to pack a mask ,  insect repellent , sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher), aloe, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, water disinfection tablets, and your health insurance card.

More information for some travelers who may need to take extra precautions:

• Traveling with a disability
• Travelers with a weakened immune system
• Traveling with a chronic illness
• Pregnant travelers

Follow CDC’s guidance on how to stay safe during travel and after travel .

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