Traveling Out of the Country?
Remember to pack good health for your trip! Vaccines are your passport to adventure around the world. You may come into contact with different diseases based on the countries you are visiting. For example, you may need the yellow fever vaccine if traveling to certain countries in Africa, Central America, or South America. In addition, some vaccines may be required for you to travel to certain places. Protect yourself and your community by getting vaccinated before you travel.
Know before you go: Which vaccines do you need for your trip?
Four to six weeks before you travel, make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccinations and schedule an appointment with your health care provider to get the recommended vaccines for the countries you plan to visit. This gives the vaccines enough time to start working and time for any vaccines that might require more than one dose.
Visit the CDC Travel Health site for details on vaccines and other important information to stay healthy while you travel. You can also download CDC's TravWell app, which helps users find out vaccine and medicine recommendations for each country.
Where to find travel vaccines
- Talk to your health care provider about recommended vaccines before you travel.
- Check with your local health department. Some health departments provide travel vaccines.
- Find a travel clinic in your area. You can search the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) for travel medicine specialists or the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) for infectious disease specialists who may or may not practice travel medicine.
- For the yellow fever vaccine you will need to go to an authorized vaccine center. Many yellow fever vaccine centers also provide other pre-travel health care services. Find an authorized center.
What you need to know about vaccinations and travel: A checklist
- Have you scheduled a visit to your doctor or a travel medicine provider?
- Are you aware which vaccinations you or those traveling with you may need?
- Do you have a weak or altered immune system due to illnesses such as diabetes or HIV?
- Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Are you traveling with a baby or child?
- If you haven't looked up health information for your destination, do so at the CDC Travel Health site.
Resources for Health Professionals
Keep patients safe by staying up-to-date on the latest travel health news and information. Find clinical updates, online learning, and other resources on CDC's Travel Health site for clinicians.
