Recommended Based on Your Destination
The Travel Clinic offers a complete line of immunizations to protect you while traveling abroad. The most appropriate immunizations and travel medications will be recommended based on your destination, duration of travel, activities, and medical conditions. See the list below for descriptions of each immunization. Please call for for the most up-to-date prices.
Hepatitis A Vaccine
Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus is spread by close contact with someone who has the infection or by eating contaminated food or water. Receiving the vaccine can prevent hepatitis A. People traveling or working in countries with high rates of hepatitis A should receive the vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine given at least six months apart are needed for lasting protection.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
Hepatitis B may cause acute illness or long-term illness that leads to liver damage and can be spread through contact with blood or body fluids of an infected person. Hepatitis B vaccine can prevent hepatitis B. People who should receive this vaccine include everyone 18 years of age and younger, adults who have more than one sex partner, men who have sex with men, injection drug users, health care workers, anyone who may be exposed to infected blood/body fluids, and travelers who plan on living or working in certain countries for greater than six months. The immunization series consists of three shots.
Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib)
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a bacteria that may cause meningitis and other severe bacterial infections primarily among infants and children. This vaccine is recommended for children under the age of five.
Cost: Call for availability.
Influenza Vaccine
Influenza is a serious disease that is caused by a virus that spreads from infected persons to the nose or throat of others. People of any age can get influenza. The risk of exposure to influenza during international travel varies depending on the time of year and destination. Travelers should receive the vaccine before travel if:
- The influenza vaccine was not received during the preceding fall or winter,
- Travel is planned to the tropics,
- Travel is planned with large groups of tourists at any time of year, or
- Travel is planned to the Southern Hemisphere from April through September.
Japanese Encephalitis (JE)
JE is a mosquito-borne viral encephalitis in Asia. This vaccine may be recommended to people who plan to live in areas where JE is endemic or for travelers who plan activities in rural farming areas in endemic regions. The primary immunization series consists of two shots.
Meningococcal Vaccine
Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitides. This bacteria can cause life-threatening meningitis. Receiving the meningococcal vaccine can decrease the risk of acquiring this infection. This vaccine is recommended for travelers going to certain parts of sub-Saharan Africa, pilgrims attending the annual Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia and college students living in dorms or crowded apartments.
Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR)
Measles, mumps, and rubella are serious infections. The MMR vaccine can prevent these diseases. Two doses of MMR should be received during childhood. Adults born after 1956 who have not received two doses of MMR should receive one dose prior to travel. Pregnant women should wait until after they have given birth to receive this vaccine. Women should not get pregnant for one month after getting the MMR vaccine.
Pneumococcal Vaccine
Pneumococcal disease is a serious disease that may cause meningitis, pneumonia, ear infections, and blood infections. There are two different vaccines to prevent this infection:
- Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, which is recommended for all adults 65 years of age or older and people over two years of age who are immunocompromised or have chronic medical conditions.
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, which is recommended for all children under two years of age. This vaccine may be recommended for certain groups of children between two and five years of age.
Polio Vaccine
Polio is a disease caused by a virus that enters the body through the mouth. Sometimes it causes paralysis. The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) can prevent polio. Most people receive the polio vaccine when they are children. Adults who were vaccinated as children but who are traveling to areas of the world where polio is present or are health care workers should receive a booster dose of IPV.
Rabies Vaccine
Rabies is a viral infection of the brain transmitted by infected saliva. The virus usually enters the body through an animal bite. Dogs are the main reservoir of infection in developing countries. Pre-exposure vaccine may be recommended to some international travelers depending on their individual risk of acquiring rabies. The risk of rabies is highest in parts of Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. Pre-exposure rabies vaccine requires three doses.
Tetanus/Diphtheria Vaccine (TD)
Tetanus is caused by bacteria that enter the body through a cut or wound. Diphtheria spreads from an infected person to the nose or throat of others. People who have received at least three doses of Td during their lifetime need a Td booster every 10 years.
Tetanus, Diptheria, and Pertussis Vaccine (Tdap)
Whooping cough—known medically as pertussis—is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. Although it initially resembles an ordinary cold, whooping cough may eventually turn more serious. The best way to prevent it is through vaccinations. The childhood vaccine is called Dtap. The whooping cough booster vaccine for adolescents and adults is called Tdap. Both protect against whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria. All adults should get a booster dose of Td every 10 years. Adults under 65 who have never gotten Tdap should substitute it for the next booster dose.
Typhoid Fever Vaccine
Typhoid fever is a life threatening illness that may be acquired through contaminated food and water. The typhoid fever vaccines can reduce the risk of developing this infection. Travelers who are spending time in regions where food and water precautions are recommended should receive this vaccine. There are two different typhoid fever vaccines available.
- ViCPS: Single dose injection; allows for two years of protection
- Ty21a: Oral vaccine (no needles); allows for five years of protection
Pills must be kept refrigerated. One pill is taken every other day for a total of four doses. It cannot be taken within two weeks of taking antibiotics. This vaccine should not be administered to pregnant women or people who are immunocompromised.
Varicella Vaccine (Chickenpox)
Chickenpox is caused by a virus that can be spread from person to person through the air or by contact with fluid from chickenpox blisters. The chickenpox vaccine can prevent chickenpox. This vaccine is recommended for children older than 12 months and adults if they have never had chickenpox.
Yellow Fever Vaccine
Yellow fever is a mosquito borne viral disease that may cause severe hepatitis and hemorrhagic fever. This disease is preventable by a safe and effective vaccine. The vaccine is recommended and may be required for travel to certain areas of South America and Africa. Reactions to this vaccine are mild. This vaccine should not be administered to pregnant women, people who are immunocompromised or people with an egg allergy.
Zostavax Vaccine (Shingles)
Shingles is a painful localized skin rash often with blisters that is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles because VZV remains in the nerve cells of the body after the chickenpox infection clears, and VZV can reappear years later causing shingles. Shingles most commonly occurs in people 50 years old or older, people who have medical conditions that keep the immune system from working properly, or people who receive immunosuppressive drugs.
This vaccine is recommended for people 60 year old or older.
