A guide to getting the right vaccinations and health preparations before international travel, covering required and recommended vaccines, travel health kits, and destination-specific precautions.
Book a travel medicine appointment 6-8 weeks before departure
Some vaccines require 2-3 doses over several weeks to reach full protection. Hepatitis B, for example, needs 3 doses over 6 months (though an accelerated 4-week schedule exists). Starting 6-8 weeks out gives time for multi-dose series.
Find a travel health clinic near you
Bring your vaccination records to the appointment
Bring your complete travel itinerary to the appointment
Your doctor needs to know every country, region, and type of accommodation (urban hotel vs. rural lodge). Disease risk varies dramatically within a single country. A 5-star resort in Bangkok has different risks than a rural village 200 miles away.
Share your medical history and current medications
Certain vaccines are not safe for pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, or people with specific allergies. Some travel medications interact with common prescriptions. Your doctor needs your full health picture to make safe recommendations.
Ask about your destination's required vs. recommended vaccines
Yellow fever vaccination is legally required for entry to 16 countries and recommended for many more. Required vaccines need an International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Card). Airlines may deny boarding without proof of required vaccines.
Common Travel Vaccines
Verify your routine vaccinations are up to date
Check that MMR, tetanus (Tdap booster every 10 years), polio, and varicella are current. Adults born after 1957 need at least 1 MMR dose. Request a blood test (titer) if you are unsure of your immunity status.
MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
Polio booster if traveling to endemic areas
Get Hepatitis A and B vaccines if not already immunized
Hepatitis A is recommended for travel to most developing countries and provides protection for 25+ years after the 2-dose series. Hepatitis B is spread through blood and bodily fluids. A combination vaccine covers both in 3 doses over 6 months.
Discuss typhoid vaccination for South Asia, Africa, and Latin America
Typhoid fever is spread through contaminated food and water. The injectable vaccine provides 50-80% protection for 2 years. The oral vaccine (4 capsules over 1 week) provides similar protection. Get vaccinated at least 2 weeks before departure.
Ask about yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and rabies vaccines
Yellow fever vaccine ($150-300) provides lifetime protection. Japanese encephalitis vaccine ($350-700 for 2 doses) is recommended for extended stays in rural Asia. Pre-exposure rabies vaccine ($900-1,200 for 3 doses) is advised if you will be around animals.
Get a meningococcal vaccine if traveling to the African meningitis belt
The meningitis belt stretches across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia. The quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine is required for Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. Protection starts 7-10 days after vaccination and lasts 5 years.
Malaria and Mosquito-Borne Disease Prevention
Determine if you need antimalarial medication
Malaria is present in 87 countries. Common antimalarials: atovaquone-proguanil (start 1-2 days before, take daily), doxycycline (start 1-2 days before, take daily), or mefloquine (start 2 weeks before, take weekly). Your doctor selects based on destination resistance patterns.
Pack insect repellent with 20-30% DEET
DEET at 20% provides 5 hours of protection; 30% provides 8 hours. Apply to exposed skin after sunscreen. Permethrin-treated clothing provides additional protection and lasts through 6 washes. Treat clothing before your trip as treatment takes 2 hours to dry.
Bring a permethrin-treated bed net if staying in rural areas
Bed nets reduce malaria transmission by 50%. Pre-treated nets ($10-25) maintain effectiveness for 3-5 years or 20 washes. Tuck the net under the mattress on all sides before sleeping. Check for holes before each use.
Know the symptoms of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya
All three are spread by daytime-biting mosquitoes. Symptoms appear 3-14 days after a bite: sudden fever, severe headache, joint pain, and rash. There are no vaccines widely available for these. Prevention through repellent and protective clothing is your only defense.
Build a Travel Health Kit
Pack a basic medical supply kit
Include adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, blister pads, tweezers, a digital thermometer, and hand sanitizer. In many countries, pharmacies may not stock familiar products or may be closed outside business hours. Being self-sufficient for minor issues saves time and stress.
Bring prescription medications in original labeled containers
Carry a 2-week extra supply in case of travel delays. Split medications between carry-on and checked luggage. Bring a doctor's letter listing all prescriptions, especially for controlled substances. Some countries ban specific medications; check before you go.
Pack traveler's diarrhea treatment
Traveler's diarrhea affects 30-70% of travelers to developing regions. Pack loperamide for symptom relief and ask your doctor for a 3-day course of antibiotics to carry. Oral rehydration salts ($1-2 per packet) prevent dehydration. Start treatment at the first loose stool.
Include altitude sickness medication if traveling above 8,000 feet
Acetazolamide (125mg twice daily, starting 1 day before ascent) prevents altitude sickness in 75% of travelers. Symptoms start at 8,000+ feet and include headache, nausea, and shortness of breath. Ascend no faster than 1,000-1,500 feet per day above 10,000 feet.
Travel Insurance and Emergency Planning
Purchase travel health insurance that covers medical evacuation
A medical evacuation can cost $50,000-250,000 out of pocket. Most domestic health insurance plans do not cover care abroad. Travel health insurance costs $50-200 for a 2-week trip and should include at least $100,000 in medical coverage and $250,000 in evacuation coverage.
Save the nearest embassy and hospital contacts for your destination
Store these in your phone and on a printed card in your wallet. The US State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is free and sends safety alerts for your destination. Register at least 1 week before departure.
Carry a medical ID card with blood type and allergies
In an emergency abroad, language barriers delay treatment. A medical ID card in English and the local language lists your blood type, drug allergies, current medications, and emergency contact. Template cards are available free online; print 2 copies.
Research healthcare quality at your destination
The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT) provides free directories of English-speaking doctors in 90+ countries. Download the list before you travel since internet access may be unreliable at your destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I get travel vaccinations?
Schedule a travel health consultation 4-6 weeks before departure. Some vaccines like hepatitis A and typhoid need 2-4 weeks to build immunity. The yellow fever vaccine requires 10 days minimum. Japanese encephalitis needs 2 doses given 28 days apart. Last-minute travelers (under 2 weeks before departure) can still receive most vaccines, but accelerated schedules may provide less protection.
How much do travel vaccinations cost?
Costs vary widely: hepatitis A ($50-$120 per dose, 2 doses), typhoid ($75-$150), yellow fever ($200-$350), Japanese encephalitis ($300-$400 per dose, 2 doses), and malaria pills ($50-$400 depending on the drug and trip length). Insurance rarely covers travel vaccines. Travel clinics at pharmacies (CVS MinuteClinic, Walgreens) are often 20-30% cheaper than hospital travel clinics.
Which travel vaccines are required versus recommended?
Yellow fever is the only vaccine required by international law, and about 40 countries in Africa and South America mandate proof of vaccination. Saudi Arabia requires meningococcal vaccine for Hajj pilgrims. All other travel vaccines are recommended based on your destination, activities, and health status. The CDC Travelers Health website lists country-specific requirements.
Do I need malaria prevention medication for my trip?
Malaria affects travelers to parts of Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Central/South America. No vaccine is widely available yet. Prevention relies on antimalarial pills taken before, during, and after travel. Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone) is best tolerated with the fewest side effects. Doxycycline is the cheapest option at $15-$30 per trip. Consult your doctor for advice specific to your situation.
Where can I get a yellow fever vaccine?
Yellow fever vaccines are only available at designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centers authorized by your state health department. Not every pharmacy or doctors office carries it. Find a center at the CDC website (wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel). The vaccine costs $200-$350 and a single dose provides lifetime immunity for most travelers. You will receive an International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card) as proof.