travelling baby vaccinations

Does your child need vaccines before international travel? Here's what you need to know.

When you consider vaccines for international travel, different recommendations sometimes apply to children. This could mean getting the first MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine earlier than the standard one-year mark.

Traveling with kids exposes us to new family travel adventures , but it can also expose our immune systems to unfamiliar diseases, ones not covered by routine vaccinations in our home countries. For this reason, travel vaccines are a vital part of preparation for international travel to certain countries or regions of the world.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, close to 2.4 million children from the United States travel internationally every year. And when it comes to illness, kids face similar risks as adults – but depending on their age, kids may not have completed their routine vaccine schedule. When you consider vaccines for international travel, different recommendations sometimes apply to children.

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What to know about travel vaccinations

Pre-travel immunizations at a travel clinic can protect you and your children while you’re abroad, keeping everyone safe and happy as you explore the world. Here’s everything you should know about required vaccinations for travel, including travel vaccinations for babies, older kids, and everyone else in your family.

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Which travel vaccines should my child get before traveling internationally?

Recommended or required vaccines for travel depend on the destination. In some cases, recommended vaccines are based on the specific health risks.

Start by checking the CDC’s travel vaccination website to get a sense of which vaccines are recommended or required for your destination , then follow up with a travel clinic visit or appointment with a travel medicine specialist. These specialists can provide tailored information based on the destination and the vaccination schedule of your child, and can help you decide if optional vaccines for travel are right for you.

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Recommendations and travel vaccination schedules vary depending on where you live (schedules vary among countries, states and provinces), your child’s health and the type of vaccine. A travel specialist can help you find out if any additional travel vaccines are recommended.

Do some routine childhood vaccines require an adjusted schedule for travel?

Before you go on any trip, your children should be up to date on their routine immunizations. In some cases, routine childhood vaccination schedules may need to be adjusted to provide extra protection for travel.

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For example, often MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) is given at the 1-year-old visit. But in case of travel, your travel specialist may recommend giving a dose of MMR vaccine before age 12 months (minimum 6 months old). Note that in this case, you’ll still need to re-vaccinate the full course (two doses for MMR vaccine) after age 1.

When should travel vaccinations be assessed?

Once you’ve booked your travel, it’s a good idea to start assessing which vaccines you and your children should receive. You should schedule an appointment at your doctor’s office or at a travel vaccine clinic at least four to six weeks before you leave. The ideal time to receive required vaccinations for travel is usually at least a month before departure. That allows your body time to build immunity before your trip.

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However, even if you’ve left it to the last minute, a pre-trip doctor’s appointment is still important. Immunizations can still be necessary, and pre-travel care extends beyond vaccinations. You and your child may still benefit from medicine to bring along in case of illness, and doctors are the best source of pre-travel medical advice beyond travel vaccines.

How effective are travel vaccines?

The effectiveness of vaccines varies. In general, most childhood vaccines provide more than 90% protection against diseases that are otherwise related to severe complications and death.

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Factors contributing to the effectiveness of vaccines include the recipient’s age, the recipient’s health status, the recipient’s immune response to the vaccine, and how well the vaccine components match the disease-causing bacteria or virus circulating in the population. In some cases, people who have developed only partial immunity to the vaccine may contract the disease. In this case, the vaccine helps reduce disease severity and prevent complications.

Are travel vaccines safe for kids?

All routine childhood vaccines and vaccines for international travel in babies and children that are available have been fully tested and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Vaccines stimulate the body to develop protective responses and make antibodies against a disease. As a result, you and your child can be protected against the disease when you’re exposed to the actual bacteria or virus in the future.

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Rarely, vaccines may be contraindicated in some children, but the most common adverse effects of vaccines are minor and usually include fever and swelling or soreness at the injection site. Talk with a travel health care provider to know if a vaccine is right for your child, and about how to manage any adverse effect.

Does my child really need a vaccine against a disease that is now rare?

Widely adopted vaccination schedules are effective and may help explain the scarcity of diseases such as varicella or measles in your home country. But these diseases can still be prevalent in other parts of the world where such vaccination schedules are not in place.

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Traveling to such a country without immunization may expose your child to these preventable diseases. In addition, travelers can unknowingly bring back the disease-causing bacteria or virus. If the community is not protected by vaccines, these diseases can quickly spread again.

Will multiple vaccines at the same time overload a baby’s immune system?

The safety of giving multiple vaccines at once has been established by numerous studies. In fact, children are exposed to lots of foreign particles from the environment and their diets every day without adverse outcomes. Similarly, the amount of bacterial or viral particles in vaccines is not adequate to cause harm. Giving multiple vaccines at once ensures the child will acquire protection as early as possible and prevents unnecessary delay in vital vaccinations.

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Generally, there is no upper limit for the number of routine or travel vaccinations for babies that can be given at the same time. However, if live vaccines are to be given at separate times, each dose should be spaced out at least 28 days.

Tips for preparing your family for healthy travels

Schedule your family’s appointment with a travel clinic or travel medicine specialist four to six weeks before your departure date. Bring your and your children’s immunization records to every clinic visit so the health provider can sign and date each vaccination. And always bring your family’s immunization records with you when you travel.

Do Kids Need Vaccines Before Traveling?

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If your family plans to travel abroad or internationally, you and your kids might need to get certain vaccines. Different countries have different health risks and may require specific vaccines. For example, a family will need the yellow fever vaccine if they're traveling to tropical and sub-tropical areas in Africa or South America.

To find out which vaccines your family needs, ask your doctor or visit the CDC's travelers' health website for a list of recommended or required vaccinations (you can search by destination).

Most immunizations should be given at least 1 month before travel, so try to schedule a doctor's visit 4–6 weeks before your trip. This gives plenty of time for the vaccines to take effect, and allows for vaccines to be given over a period of days or weeks, if necessary. But even if you're leaving in less than 4 weeks, you should still make an appointment, as kids might still benefit from shots or medicines.

Depending on your travel plans, your doctor may recommend that besides routine immunizations , you and/or your kids be vaccinated against:

yellow fever
Japanese B encephalitis

All kids get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at 12–15 months of age, and the hepatitis A vaccine between their first and second birthdays. But any who will travel outside the United States before that can get these vaccines as early as 6 months of age. They will still need the routine vaccines after their first birthday.

Kids of any age can get malaria , so if you're traveling to a country with a malaria risk, talk to your doctor about antimalarial drugs.

An updated COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for all adults and kids ages 6 months and up, as is the yearly flu vaccine . Traveling can involve exposure to crowded airports and vacation destinations, which makes the spread of respiratory viruses much more likely. That's why experts strongly recommend that people make sure they're up to date on COVID-19 and flu vaccines before travel.

And if you're traveling internationally, be sure to take your kids' immunization records with you when you go.

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9 common questions about vaccines and travel

Joel Streed

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.

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Fact Sheets

Frequently Asked Questions: Guidance for Travelers to Enter the U.S.

Updated Date: April 21, 2022

Since January 22, 2022, DHS has required non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination upon request.  On April 21, 2022, DHS announced that it would extend these requirements. In determining whether and when to rescind this order, DHS anticipates that it will take account of whether the vaccination requirement for non-U.S. air travelers remains in place.

These requirements apply to non-U.S. individuals who are traveling for essential or non-essential reasons. They do not apply to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, or U.S. nationals.

Effective November 8, 2021, new air travel requirements applied to many noncitizens who are visiting the United States temporarily. These travelers are also required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. All air travelers, including U.S. persons, must test negative for COVID-19 prior to departure. Limited exceptions apply. See  CDC guidance  for more details regarding air travel requirements.

Below is more information about what to know before you go, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions about cross-border travel.

Entering the U.S. Through a Land Port of Entry or Ferry Terminal

Q. what are the requirements for travelers entering the united states through land poes.

A:  Before embarking on a trip to the United States, non-U.S. travelers should be prepared for the following:

Possess proof of an approved COVID-19 vaccination as outlined on the  CDC  website.
During border inspection, verbally attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status. 
Bring a  Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative  compliant border crossing document, such as a valid passport (and visa if required), Trusted Traveler Program card, a Department of State-issued Border Crossing Card, Enhanced Driver’s License or Enhanced Tribal Card when entering the country. Travelers (including U.S. citizens) should be prepared to present the WHTI-compliant document and any other documents requested by the CBP officer.

 Q. What are the requirements to enter the United States for children under the age of 18 who can't be vaccinated?

A:  Children under 18 years of age are excepted from the vaccination requirement at land and ferry POEs.

Q: Which vaccines/combination of vaccines will be accepted?

A:  Per CDC guidelines, all Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and authorized vaccines, as well as all vaccines that have an Emergency Use Listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization (WHO), will be accepted.

Accepted Vaccines:

More details are available in CDC guidance  here .
2 weeks (14 days) after your dose of an accepted single-dose COVID-19 vaccine;
2 weeks (14 days) after your second dose of an accepted 2-dose series;
2 weeks (14 days) after you received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine (not placebo) in a clinical trial;
2 weeks (14 days) after you received 2 doses of any “mix-and-match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines administered at least 17 days apart.

Q. Is the United States requiring travelers to have a booster dose to be considered fully vaccinated for border entry purposes?

A:  No. The CDC guidance for “full vaccination” can be found here.

Q: Do U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents need proof of vaccination to return to the United States via land POEs and ferry terminals?

A:  No. Vaccination requirements do not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs). Travelers that exhibit signs or symptoms of illness will be referred to CDC for additional medical evaluation.

Q: Is pre- or at-arrival COVID testing required to enter the United States via land POEs or ferry terminals?

A: No, there is no COVID testing requirement to enter the United States via land POE or ferry terminals. In this respect, the requirement for entering by a land POE or ferry terminal differs from arrival via air, where there is a requirement to have a negative test result before departure.

Processing Changes Announced on January 22, 2022 

Q: new changes were recently announced. what changed on january 22.

A:  Since January 22, 2022, non-citizens who are not U.S. nationals or Lawful Permanent Residents have been required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the United States at land ports of entry and ferry terminals, whether for essential or nonessential purposes. Previously, DHS required that non-U.S. persons be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the United States for nonessential purposes.  Effective January 22, all non-U.S. individuals, to include essential travelers, must be prepared to attest to vaccination status and present proof of vaccination to a CBP officer upon request. DHS announced an extension of this policy on April 21, 2022.

Q: Who is affected by the changes announced on January 22?

A: This requirement does not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents. It applies to other noncitizens, such as a citizen of Mexico, Canada, or any other country seeking to enter the United States through a land port of entry or ferry terminal.

Q: Do U.S. citizens need proof of vaccination to return to the United States via land port of entry or ferry terminals?

A: Vaccination requirements do not apply to U.S. Citizens, U.S. nationals or U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents. Travelers that exhibit signs or symptoms of illness will be referred to CDC for additional medical evaluation. 

Q: What is essential travel?

A:  Under the prior policy, there was an exception from temporary travel restrictions for “essential travel.” Essential travel included travel to attend educational institutions, travel to work in the United States, travel for emergency response and public health purposes, and travel for lawful cross-border trade (e.g., commercial truckers). Under current policy, there is no exception for essential travel.

Q: Will there be any exemptions? 

A: While most non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter the United States will need to be vaccinated, there is a narrow list of exemptions consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Order in the air travel context.

Certain categories of individuals on diplomatic or official foreign government travel as specified in the CDC Order
Children under 18 years of age;
Certain participants in certain COVID-19 vaccine trials as specified in the CDC Order;  
Individuals with medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine as specified in the CDC Order;
Individuals issued a humanitarian or emergency exception by the Secretary of Homeland Security;
Individuals with valid nonimmigrant visas (excluding B-1 [business] or B-2 [tourism] visas) who are citizens of a country with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability, as specified in the CDC Order
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces or their spouses or children (under 18 years of age) as specified in the CDC Order; and
Individuals whose entry would be in the U.S. national interest, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Q: What documentation will be required to show vaccination status?

A:  Non-U.S. individuals are required to be prepared to attest to vaccination status and present proof of vaccination to a CBP officer upon request regardless of the purpose of travel.

The current documentation requirement remains the same and is available on the CDC website . Documentation requirements for entry at land ports of entry and ferry terminals mirror those for entry by air.

Q: What happens if someone doesn’t have proof of vaccine status?

A: If non-U.S. individuals cannot present proof of vaccination upon request, they will not be admitted into the United States and will either be subject to removal or be allowed to withdraw their application for entry.

Q: Will incoming travelers be required to present COVID-19 test results?

A: There is no COVID-19 testing requirement for travelers at land border ports of entry, including ferry terminals.

Q: What does this mean for those who can't be vaccinated, either due to age or other health considerations? 

A: See CDC guidance for additional information on this topic. Note that the vaccine requirement does not apply to children under 18 years of age.

Q: Does this requirement apply to amateur and professional athletes?

A: Yes, unless they qualify for one of the narrow CDC exemptions.

Q: Are commercial truckers required to be vaccinated?

A: Yes, unless they qualify for one of the narrow CDC exemptions. These requirements also apply to bus drivers as well as rail and ferry operators.

Q. Do you expect border wait times to increase?

A:  As travelers navigate these new travel requirements, wait times may increase. Travelers should account for the possibility of longer than normal wait times and lines at U.S. land border crossings when planning their trip and are kindly encouraged to exercise patience.

To help reduce wait times and long lines, travelers can take advantage of innovative technology, such as facial biometrics and the CBP OneTM mobile application, which serves as a single portal for individuals to access CBP mobile applications and services.

Q: How is Customs and Border Protection staffing the ports of entry? 

A: CBP’s current staffing levels at ports of entry throughout the United States are commensurate with pre-pandemic levels. CBP has continued to hire and train new employees throughout the pandemic. CBP expects some travelers to be non-compliant with the proof of vaccination requirements, which may at times lead to an increase in border wait times. Although trade and travel facilitation remain a priority, we cannot compromise national security, which is our primary mission. CBP Office of Field Operations will continue to dedicate its finite resources to the processing of arriving traffic with emphasis on trade facilitation to ensure economic recovery.

Q: What happens if a vaccinated individual is traveling with an unvaccinated individual? 

A:  The unvaccinated individual (if 18 or over) would not be eligible for admission.

Q: If I am traveling for an essential reason but am not vaccinated can I still enter?

A:  No, if you are a non-U.S. individual. The policy announced on January 22, 2022 applies to both essential and non-essential travel by non-U.S. individual travelers. Since January 22, DHS has required that all inbound non-U.S. individuals crossing U.S. land or ferry POEs – whether for essential or non-essential reasons – be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination upon request.

Q: Are sea crew members on vessels required to have a COVID vaccine to disembark?

A:  Sea crew members traveling pursuant to a C-1 or D nonimmigrant visa are not excepted from COVID-19 vaccine requirements at the land border. This is a difference from the international air transportation context.

Entering the U.S. via Air Travel

Q: what are the covid vaccination requirements for air passengers to the united states  .

A:  According to CDC requirements [www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html | Link no longer valid], most noncitizens who are visiting the United States temporarily must be fully vaccinated prior to boarding a flight to the United States. These travelers are required to show proof of vaccination. A list of covered individuals is available on the CDC website. 

Q: What are the COVID testing requirements for air passengers to the United States? 

A:  Effective Sunday, June 12 at 12:01 a.m. ET, CDC will no longer require pre-departure COVID-19 testing for U.S.-bound air travelers.

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What vaccines do you need to travel?

The vaccines you need will depend on where you’re traveling and what you will be doing during your travels. Walgreens pharmacists are able to assist in helping you determine which vaccines you may need.

Which travel vaccines are available at Walgreens?

Travel vaccines Walgreens offers include: Yellow Fever, Meningitis, Polio, Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis, Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Rabies*.

*Vaccines offered at Walgreens vary by state, age and health conditions. Talk to your local pharmacist about availability.

What other vaccines should I have before traveling?

It’s important to be up-to-date on routine vaccinations before traveling as well—like Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Tetanus, Flu and COVID-19.

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What to Expect the First Year , 3rd edition, Heidi Murkoff. WhatToExpect.com, Do Babies Need Passports? , May 2019. WhatToExpect.com, Should You Bring Your Child’s Car Seat on an Airplane? , August 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Your Ultimate Guide to Traveling While Breastfeeding , August 2020. American Academy of Pediatrics, Family Friendly Flying , November 2015. American Academy of Pediatrics, Flying With Baby: Parent FAQs , November 2019. American Airlines, Traveling With Children . Delta Air Lines, Infant Air Travel , 2021. Federal Aviation Administration, Flying With Children , March 2021. Transportation Security Administration, Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQ . Transportation Security Administration, Identification . Transportation Security Administration, Will Minors Need to Have a State ID to Fly Domestically? United Airlines, Traveling With Children , 2021. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Children – Child Traveling With One Parent or Someone Who Is Not a Parent or Legal Guardian or a Group , December 2019.

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Vaccines at 1 to 2 Months

infant tilting his head and smiling, healthy thanks to the vaccines

Vaccinations are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages.

CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older. If your child has not gotten vaccinated yet, talk to his or her doctor about getting it as soon as possible.

Vaccines your baby should get

During the first months of your baby’s life, routine vaccines can help protect your child from a variety of serious or potentially fatal diseases.

At 1 to 2 months, your baby should receive vaccines to protect them from the following diseases:

1st dose of 5

A DTaP vaccine is the best protection from three serious diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis). All three of these diseases can be deadly for people of any age, and whooping cough is especially dangerous for babies.

See Related: DTaP vaccination

1st dose of 3 or 4

Hib disease is a serious illness caused by the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Babies and children younger than 5 years old are most at risk for Hib disease. It can cause lifelong disability and be deadly. Doctors recommend that your child get three or four doses of the Hib vaccine (depending on the brand).

See Related: Hib vaccination

2nd dose of 3

Hepatitis B is an infectious and potentially serious disease that can cause liver damage and liver cancer. If babies are infected at birth, hepatitis B can be a lifelong, chronic infection. There is no cure for hepatitis B, but the hepatitis B vaccine is the best way to prevent it.

See Related: Hepatitis B vaccination

1st dose of 4

Pneumococcal disease can cause potentially serious and even deadly infections. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine protects against the bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease.

See Related: Pneumococcal vaccination

Polio is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by poliovirus, which can infect the spinal cord and cause paralysis. It most often sickens children younger than 5 years old. Polio was eliminated in the United States with vaccination, and continued use of polio vaccine has kept this country polio-free.

See Related: Polio vaccination

1st dose of 2 or 3

Rotavirus can be very dangerous, even deadly for babies and young children. Doctors recommend that your child get two or three doses of the Rotavirus vaccine (depending on the brand).

See Related: Rotavirus vaccination

Additional protection for your baby during RSV season

Babies who are 1 to 2 months old should receive an RSV immunization (if not previously received) to protect them against severe RSV disease.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV is a common cause of severe respiratory illness in infants and young children. Those infected with RSV can have difficulty breathing and eating and sometimes may need respiratory support or hydration in the hospital. An RSV immunization uses monoclonal antibodies to protect infants and young children from severe RSV disease. This immunization gives your baby’s body extra help to fight an RSV infection.

Infants younger than 8 months old during RSV season (typically fall through spring) should get a one-dose RSV immunization to protect them against RSV. This dose should be given shortly before or during the RSV season.

Care for your child after vaccinations

Call 911 if you think your child might be having a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site.

Give your child extra care and attention

Pay extra attention to your baby for a few days. If you see something that concerns you, call your baby’s doctor.

Read the Vaccine Information Sheet(s) your baby’s doctor gave you to learn about side effects your baby may experience.
Offer breastmilk or formula more often. It is normal for some babies to eat less during the 24 hours after getting vaccines.

Treat mild reactions

Sometimes children have mild reactions from vaccines, such as pain at the injection site or a rash. These reactions, also called side effects, are normal and will soon go away.

Use a cool, damp cloth to help reduce redness, soreness, and/or swelling at the injection site.
Reduce fever with a cool sponge bath.
Ask your baby’s doctor if you can give your baby a non-aspirin pain reliever.

See which vaccines your child needs to stay on-track with routine vaccinations.

Birth to 6 years

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Take a short quiz to get a list of vaccines your child may need based on their age, health conditions, and other factors.

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Baby and toddler travel: what you need to know before going ahead

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While pre-baby journey prep involved chucking some things in a bag and a drink at the airport, travelling with a child can feel daunting. Here are some tips…

Travelling with a baby or toddler: the basics

If you want to stay put for a while when you have a newborn, that’s understandable and totally normal. But when you are ready to head off, you will have all kinds of fun and adventures. Here are some tips to help things go as smoothly as possible.

Baby and toddler travel essentials

Think about what you’ll need, particularly if the journey takes longer than planned. Stuff to tick off includes:

drinks and snacks
nappies, wipes and changing mat
change of clothes.

(Which? 2018a, b)

Keep it all easily accessible and prep a few bags with one or two nappies, a small packet of wipes and some cream for easy dashes to the loo (Which? 2018a, b) .

Baby and toddler holiday essentials

Things you’ll probably need include:

a lightweight buggy
a baby carrier/ sling
a travel cot
a first-aid kit, medicines and sun protection
travel blackout blinds.

If you're formula feeding, you'll also need to think about:

a travel steriliser
bottles and teats
formula milk

(Which? 2018b)

See our guide to sun safety for more tips.

Travelling with a baby or toddler: top tips

Try to organise your baby's passport in plenty of time (GOV.UK, 2018a) . NB: this will involve the most hilarious photoshoot of your life.
If you are travelling to countries where you need a visa, you’ll need to sort that out too (GOV.UK, 2012) .
Make sure you sort travel and health insurance before you go (annual family policies are often the best value) (GOV.UK, 2012) .
Find out about required travel vaccinations (GOV.UK, 2012; Fit for travel, 2018)
Try not to rush – this will make journeys way more stressful.
It might be easier to go when your baby is young. Small babies are portable and often a lot more flexible than their toddler buddies. Usually infants must be at least two weeks old before they can travel although some airlines allow seven-day old infants on board. The booking policy differs from one airline to another, so it is important to check directly with the airlines (Which? c) . But three to seven months is a great window (The Guardian, 2005) .
Book outside the school holidays if you can – way cheaper and less crowded.
You can make full use of the facilities: lots of airports have dedicated areas for entertaining children and have buggies you can use. Some airlines also let you keep your own pushchair with you right up to the boarding gate.
Try to keep stuff you need for your baby or toddler in your hand luggage.
It’s always good to check the weight limit for your airline before you travel.
Children under two years old usually sit on your lap, so taking a cushion or blanket can help.
On long-haul flights, you can request a bassinet for them to sleep in. Travelling at night can help them stick to their usual routines too.
A baby carrier or sling for very young children and a back/hip carrier for toddlers is great for walking babies up and down the aisles. It also keeps your hands free.
It’s good to find out from the airport and your airline about the rules for fluids allowed through security and in cabin baggage.
If you need transfers from the airport, check with your airline about taking your baby car seat, or arrange to hire one when you get there.
If possible, sit in an easily accessible seat on the plane.
Changing cabin pressure during take-off and landing can be uncomfortable for your children, you can ease the discomfort by feeding babies, giving toddlers a dummy and older children a sweet to suck on.
You could attach a luggage label to your child’s clothing with their name and flight number on it.

(Baby Can Travel, 2018b; Which? 2018a, b)

By train or bus

Try to avoid rush hour. This means the carriages and buses are less crowded and there will be extra seats.
You’ll thank yourself for checking which train stations have lifts for pushchairs.
Perhaps try to avoid quiet zones on trains – other passengers may not be sympathetic to a chatty toddler or crying baby.
Try to use a sling or baby carrier rather than a buggy. It can be overwhelming arriving at a train station with a buggy, whereas using a sling will keep your hands free to find things like tickets.
Sit near the toilets on trains as there’s often more space and flip-up seats for pushchair space. When you get off the train, watch gaps and get off backwards as it’s often safer.
Plan the most direct route to avoid awkward train changes.
Reserve a seat, choosing a window seat for older babies and toddlers to look out of.
Pack a light bag with nappies, snacks and toys so you can stow other luggage in the rack.
Plan how you get from the train station to your final destination, e.g. whether you need to book a taxi with a baby seat.

(My Train Ticket, 2018; TFL, 2018).

Try to time your journey around nap times and stop for breaks if you need.
If you need to, dispatch one parent to the back seat to keep your child company.
Take window blinds for bright sunshine and music for bored children. Warning: be prepared for long stints of Twinkle Twinkle.
Make sure you keep toys handy.
Stock up on essentials like snacks, water, formula, extra bottles, extra soothers.
Make sure your car seat meets all the safety criteria for your baby or toddler. Read our guidelines here and how to fit it here.

(Baby Can Travel, 2018c)

This page was last reviewed in March 2019

Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about labour and life with a new baby.

Baby Can Travel. (2018a) Airline perks for families with babies. Available at: https://www.babycantravel.com/2015/11/11/airline-perks-for-families-with-babies/ [Accessed 15th October 2018]

Baby Can Travel. (2018b) Inflight entertainment for babies and toddlers. Available at: https://www.babycantravel.com/2017/04/27/inflight-entertainment-for-babies-and-toddlers/ [Accessed 15th October 2018]

Baby Can Travel. (2018c) Road trip with a baby: 7 essential tips. Available at: https://www.babycantravel.com/2015/09/14/road-trip-with-a-baby-7-essential-tips/ [Accessed 15th October 2018]

Fit for travel. (2018) Travel health advice. Available at: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home Accessed 15th October 2018]

GOV.UK. (2012) Checklist for travelling abroad. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/checklist-for-travellers--2 [Accessed 15th October 2018]

GOV.UK. (2018a) HM Passport Office. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-passport-office [Accessed 15th October 2018]

GOV.UK. (2018b) Apply for a European Health Insurance Card. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/european-health-insurance-card [Accessed 15th October 2018]

My Train Ticket. (2018) Travelling by train with children. Available at: http://www.mytrainticket.co.uk/travelling-with-children [Accessed 15th October 2018]

TFL. (2018) Getting around with your buggy. Available at: https://tfl.gov.uk/transport-accessibility/getting-around-with-your-buggy [Accessed 15th October 2018]

The Guardian. (2005) Have baby, won’t travel? Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2005/oct/22/familyholidays.family.guardiansaturdaytravelsection [Accessed 15th October 2018]

Which? (2018a) Top 10 baby and child travel tips. Available at: https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/travelling-with-children/article/travelling-with-children/top-10-baby-and-child-travel-tips [Accessed 15th October 2018]

Which? (2018b) Baby products to take on holiday. Available at: https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/travelling-with-children/article/travelling-with-children/baby-products-to-take-on-holiday [Accessed 15th October 2018]

Which? (2018c) What are my rights when flying with a baby? Available at: https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/what-are-my-rights-when-flying-with-a-baby [Accessed 15th October 2018]

Information you can trust from NCT

When it comes to content, our aim is simple: every parent should have access to information they can trust.

All of our articles have been thoroughly researched and are based on the latest evidence from reputable and robust sources. We create our articles with NCT antenatal teachers, postnatal leaders and breastfeeding counsellors, as well as academics and representatives from relevant organisations and charities.

Read more about our editorial review process .

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Available travel vaccines

The following vaccinations are available for people travelling abroad.

Cholera vaccination

Vaccination against cholera isn't routinely needed for most travellers.

But in some cases it may be recommended for aid workers and people likely to have limited access to medical services – for example, people working in refugee camps or after natural disasters.

Most cases of cholera are confined to regions of the world with poor sanitation and water hygiene, such as parts of:

South America

The vaccine is usually given as a drink in 2 separate doses, taken 1 to 6 weeks apart.

Children aged 2 to 6 years old should have a third dose taken 1 to 6 weeks after the second dose.

You should make sure you have the final dose of this vaccine at least a week before you travel.

A single booster dose or full revaccination is usually recommended if you have previously been vaccinated against cholera and you're planning to travel to an area where the infection is common.

Diphtheria vaccination

A combined vaccination that protects against diphtheria , polio and tetanus is routinely given to all children in the UK.

You should make sure you and your children are up-to-date with your routine vaccinations before travelling.

Further booster doses are usually only recommended if you're going to visit parts of the world where diphtheria is widespread and your last vaccination dose was more than 10 years ago.

Diphtheria is more common in parts of the world where fewer people are vaccinated, such as:

Central and Southeast Asia
Eastern Europe

Additional doses of the vaccination are given in a single 3-in-1 Td/IPV (tetanus, diphtheria and polio) injection.

Hepatitis A vaccination

Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended if you're travelling to countries where there are poor levels of sanitation and hygiene, and hepatitis A is common.

Ask your GP, pharmacy or travel clinic if you should have the hepatitis A vaccine if you're travelling to:

Sub-Saharan and North Africa
the Middle East
South and Central America

The vaccination against hepatitis A is usually given as a single initial injection, with a second dose 6 to 12 months later. Two doses should protect you for at least 25 years.

You should preferably have the initial dose at least 2 weeks before you leave, although it can be given up to the day of your departure if needed.

Jabs that offer combined protection against hepatitis A and hepatitis B or typhoid are also available if you're likely to also be at risk of these conditions.

Hepatitis B vaccination

Vaccination against hepatitis B is recommended if you're travelling in parts of the world where hepatitis B is common, especially if you'll be doing activities that increase your risk of developing the infection.

Hepatitis B is spread through blood and body fluids. Things like having sex, injecting drugs or playing contact sports on your travels can increase your risk.

Anyone travelling for long periods or who's likely to need medical care while abroad is also at increased risk.

Hepatitis B is found worldwide, but it's more common in parts of:

Sub-Saharan Africa
Southern and Eastern Europe

The hepatitis B vaccination generally involves a course of 3 injections. Depending on how quickly you need protection, these may be spread over a period as long as 6 months or as short as 3 weeks.

A combined hepatitis A and hepatitis B jab is also available if you're likely to be at risk of both these conditions while travelling.

Japanese encephalitis vaccination

Vaccination against Japanese encephalitis is usually recommended if you're planning a long stay (usually at least a month) in a country where you could get the condition.

It's particularly important if:

you're visiting during the rainy season or there's a year-round risk because of a tropical climate
you're going to visit rural areas, such as rice fields or marshlands
you'll be taking part in any activities that may increase your risk of becoming infected, such as cycling or camping

Japanese encephalitis is found throughout Asia and beyond. The area it's found in stretches from the western Pacific islands in the east, across to the borders of Pakistan in the west.

It's found as far north as Northeastern China and as far south as the islands of the Torres Strait and Cape York in Northeastern Australia.

Despite its name, Japanese encephalitis is now relatively rare in Japan because of mass immunisation programmes.

Find out more about risk areas on the Travel Health Pro website

Vaccination against Japanese encephalitis usually consists of 2 injections, with the second dose given 28 days after the first.

Ideally, you need to have the second dose a week before you leave.

Meningococcal meningitis vaccination

Vaccination against some types of meningococcal meningitis is usually recommended if you're travelling to areas at risk and your planned activities put you at higher risk – for example, if you're a long-term traveller who has close contact with the local population.

High-risk areas for meningococcal meningitis include:

parts of Africa
Saudi Arabia during the mass gatherings of Hajj or Umrah

All travellers to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages are required to show proof of vaccination.

If travelling to a high-risk area, you should be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis with a MenACWY vaccine , also known as the quadrivalent meningococcal meningitis vaccine.

This is a single injection that should be given 2 to 3 weeks before you travel. Babies under a year old need 2 injections.

You should have the MenACWY vaccine before travelling to high-risk areas, even if you had the meningitis C vaccine as a child.

Read more about the meningococcal meningitis vaccines .

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination

The MMR vaccine that protects against measles , mumps and rubella is routinely given to all children in the UK.

You should make sure you and your children are up-to-date with routine vaccinations, including MMR, before travelling.

If you haven't been fully vaccinated against these conditions or you're not already immune, you should ask about MMR vaccination before you travel.

The MMR vaccine is given as 2 injections. These are usually given when a child is 3 years and 4 months old.

But if vaccination has been missed previously, adults can have the doses 1 month apart, and children can have them 3 months apart if necessary.

Polio vaccination

A combined vaccination that protects against diphtheria, polio and tetanus is routinely given to all children in the UK.

Further booster doses are usually only recommended if you're going to visit parts of the world where polio is, or has recently been, present and your last vaccination dose was more than 10 years ago.

Currently the condition is most common in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but it's also a risk in other regions of the world.

Read more about the Td/IPV (3-in-1) vaccine .

Rabies vaccination

Vaccination against rabies is advised if you're travelling to an area where you could get rabies, particularly if:

you're staying for a month or more
there's unlikely to be quick access to appropriate medical care
you plan to do activities that could put you at increased risk of exposure to rabies, such as cycling or running

Rabies can be found in many parts of the world. GOV.UK provides a detailed list of countries that have rabies in domestic animals or wildlife .

Vaccination involves a course of 3 injections before you travel, usually given over a period of 28 days.

If you're bitten, licked or scratched by an animal in a country where rabies is a problem, further doses of rabies vaccine (with or without a special anti-rabies injection given around the wound) may be required as emergency treatment.

Find out more about the rabies vaccine

GOV.UK: Rabies risks for travellers

Tetanus vaccination

A combined vaccination that protects against diphtheria, polio and tetanus is routinely given to all children in the UK.

Further booster doses are usually only recommended if:

you're travelling to areas where access to medical services is likely to be limited and your last vaccination dose was more than 10 years ago
you've not had two booster doses

Read more about the Td/IPV (3-in-1) vaccine .

Tick-borne encephalitis vaccination

Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is usually recommended for anyone who plans to live or work in a high-risk area, or hike and camp in these areas during late spring or summer.

The ticks that cause TBE are mainly found in forested areas of central, eastern and northern Europe, although at-risk areas also include eastern Russia and some countries in east Asia, including some regions of China and Japan.

The vaccination requires a course of 3 injections for full protection. The second dose is given 1 to 3 months after the first and provides immunity for about a year.

A third dose, given 5 to 12 months after the second, provides immunity for up to 3 years.

The course can sometimes be accelerated if necessary. This involves 2 doses being given 2 weeks apart.

Booster doses of the vaccine are recommended every 3 years, if necessary.

Tuberculosis (TB) vaccination

The BCG vaccine (which stands for Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine) protects against tuberculosis , which is also known as TB.

The BCG vaccine isn't given as part of the routine NHS vaccination schedule. It's given on the NHS only when a child or adult is thought to have an increased risk of coming into contact with TB.

When preparing for travel abroad, the BCG vaccine is recommended for any unvaccinated people under 16 who'll be living or working with friends, family or local people for more than 3 months in a country where TB is common or the risk of multi-drug resistant TB is high.

The BCG vaccine is given as a single injection.

Areas of the world where the risk of TB is high enough to recommend BCG vaccination for previously unvaccinated travellers include:

parts of South and Southeast Asia

Typhoid vaccination

Vaccination against typhoid fever is recommended if you're travelling to parts of the world where the condition is common, particularly if you'll:

have frequent or prolonged exposure to conditions where sanitation and food hygiene are likely to be poor
be staying or working with local people

High-risk areas include:

parts of South and Central America

Two main vaccines are available for typhoid fever in the UK. One is given as a single injection, and the other is given as 3 capsules to take on alternate days.

It's also possible to have a combined hepatitis A and typhoid jab.

Ideally, the typhoid vaccine should be given at least 1 month before you travel, but it can be given closer to your travel date if necessary.

Booster vaccinations are recommended every 3 years if you continue to be at risk of infection.

Yellow fever vaccination

Vaccination against yellow fever is advised if you're travelling to areas where there's a risk of getting yellow fever.

Some countries require a proof of vaccination certificate before they let you enter the country.

Yellow fever occurs in some areas of tropical Africa and Central and South America. More information about yellow fever and areas where it's found is available on Travel Health Pro .

A single dose of the yellow fever vaccine is thought to provide lifelong protection. For most people, a booster dose is no longer recommended.

You must have a yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days before you travel. You will also need to complete a yellow fever vaccination checklist to make sure you can have the vaccine.

Find out more about the yellow fever vaccination checklist on the Travel Health Pro website

You should be issued with an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis when you have the vaccine. This certificate is valid for life.

Some people cannot have the yellow fever vaccine.

Read more about the yellow fever vaccine and who can have it .

When to get further advice

Speak to your GP before having any vaccinations if:

you're planning to get pregnant
you're pregnant
you're breastfeeding
you have an immune deficiency
you have any allergies

Page last reviewed: 16 March 2023 Next review due: 16 March 2026

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Routine Vaccines

It’s important to be up to date on recommended routine vaccines prior to travel, including Flu, RSV and COVID-19.

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About the Handbook

Vaccination for international travellers

Ensure that travellers are up to date with routine vaccines. Also consider other vaccines based on travel itinerary, activities and risk of disease exposure.

Recently added

This page was added on 09 June 2018 .

Updates made

This page was updated on 23 October 2023 . View history of updates

Millions of Australians travel overseas every year. More than half of these trips are to destinations other than New Zealand, North America and Europe. 1

This page helps with making decisions about travel vaccines. Also check the disease-specific chapters in this Handbook for details about specific vaccines.

See also Infographic. Vaccination for international travellers .

Health risks of overseas travel

Health risks associated with international travel include exposure to:

infective agents
altitude and temperature extremes
other physical, psychological and environmental hazards
poor-quality or limited access to clean water, shelter, hygiene and sanitation facilities, and health and medical care

The level of health risks depends on factors such as:

the traveller’s underlying physical and mental health and physiological state
the itinerary and activities undertaken
the duration of exposure to various hazards during travel

Travellers at increased risk of serious travel-associated infections include:

young children and infants
pregnant women
people with underlying medical conditions, especially immunocompromising conditions due to disease or medical treatment
people spending extended periods in multiple regions with poor resources or in remote areas
people participating in events where large numbers of people will gather, such as major sporting, cultural, social or religious events
migrant families travelling back to their region of origin to visit friends and relatives

Those travelling to visit friends and relatives are more likely to: 2

have closer contact with local populations
stay in remote or rural areas
consume higher-risk food and beverages

Those travelling to visit friends and relatives are less likely to: 2,3

recognise the health risks associated with travelling
seek pre-travel health advice
obtain the recommended vaccines or prophylaxis

Common infections acquired by travellers

Exposure to infectious diseases is one of the many health hazards of international travel. Some of these diseases are vaccine preventable. Although some of these diseases are present in Australia, the risk of acquiring them overseas may be higher because of:

higher disease incidence in other countries
increased risk of exposure from participating in certain activities while travelling

Foodborne and waterborne infections

It is common for travellers to ingest contaminated food or beverages, resulting in an illness. 4-6 Practicing safe eating and drinking habits is essential to minimise the risk of contracting food and waterborne diseases while travelling. These include treating water or only drinking bottled water, avoiding undercooked meat, and avoiding raw fruit and vegetables (unless they can be peeled or washed in safe water prior to eating). Most infections are diarrhoeal diseases due to enteric pathogens, but some are due to extra-intestinal microorganisms, such as hepatitis A virus and Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi (causing typhoid).

Vaccines are available against hepatitis A, typhoid and cholera.

Vector-borne infections

Insect-borne — especially mosquito-borne — infections, such as malaria and dengue, are important causes of fever in Australian travellers returning from endemic areas, particularly Southeast Asia and Oceania. 4,6

A dengue vaccine (Dengvaxia) is available for the prevention of secondary dengue infections (not primary prevention of initial dengue infection ) in select individuals. See Clinical advice: ATAGI statement on use of Dengvaxia® for Australians .

Japanese encephalitis occurs throughout much of Asia and the Western Pacific region, including eastern Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. 7 Yellow fever occurs only in parts of Africa and South America, 8 and tick-borne encephalitis occurs in parts of Europe and Asia. 9

Vaccines are available against Japanese encephalitis , yellow fever and tick-borne encephalitis .

Some other vector-borne diseases and parasitic (including protozoal and helminthic) diseases are also important for international travellers. Some are preventable through appropriate barrier precautions and chemoprophylaxis (for example, malaria). 9

Aerosol-borne infections

Vaccine-preventable infections transmitted by aerosols and/or droplets include: 9

influenza (the most common vaccine-preventable infection among travellers) 10
meningococcal disease
varicella (chickenpox)

The incidence of measles and mumps is higher in many overseas countries, including some developed countries, than in Australia.

Tuberculosis is a rare infection in travellers. 11 Expatriates who live in endemic areas for a long time are more likely to acquire tuberculosis than short-term visitors. 12

Vaccines are available against all of these diseases.

Bloodborne and sexually transmitted infections

Some Australian travellers may be at risk from bloodborne and sexually transmissible infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. In some areas, healthcare workers using non-sterile medical equipment or other poor infection control practices may transmit these viruses and other bloodborne agents.

Vaccines are available against hepatitis B.

Exotic infectious agents

Travellers may be exposed to a variety of other exotic infections, such as:

rabies from bites or scratches from rabid dogs, bats and other mammals in many countries
schistosomiasis from exposure to water infested with the parasites, especially in Africa
leptospirosis through activities such as rafting or wading in contaminated streams

Of these diseases, vaccines are available only against rabies.

Recommending travel vaccines

Although recommending appropriate vaccines is important, it is not the only part of a pre-travel medical consultation. Travel vaccines — those relevant for travelling — include all relevant vaccines, not just the ones that prevent diseases that most commonly occur overseas.

Do not recommend a vaccine based only on the destination country, because there is no single ‘correct’ list of vaccines for travel to any particular country.

There are 3 categories of travel vaccines:

routinely recommended vaccines (not specific to travelling overseas)
selected vaccines based on travel itinerary, activities and likely risk of disease exposure
vaccines required by the International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR) or for entry into specific countries

Questions for a pre-travel medical consultation

During a pre-travel medical consultation, ask questions about the traveller’s:

personal information, including age and whether they are pregnant or planning pregnancy
underlying medical conditions, particularly immunocompromising conditions, and current medicines
vaccination history (including adverse events following immunisation) and allergy history
purpose of travel and intended activities, especially those associated with various environmental risks and hazards
plans for travel insurance

Also ask about their itinerary in detail, including:

date of departure and time available for vaccinations
specific localities and routes
rural versus urban stay
duration of stay
likely access to health care and other services
likelihood of changing the planned itinerary

This information helps to tailor recommendations about preventive vaccination or chemoprophylaxis for exposure risks during the proposed trip. It also allows the clinician to advise about other appropriate preventive health measures (for example, food and water precautions, avoiding bites from mosquitoes or other arthropods) and about managing possible health conditions during travel.

Organisational requirements for vaccination

Some overseas organisations, such as schools, colleges and universities, require evidence of vaccination or immunity against some vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles and meningococcal disease. Consider these requirements when planning and scheduling vaccines before departure.

Routinely recommended vaccines (not specific to travelling overseas)

Vaccinate all prospective travellers according to the recommended vaccination schedule appropriate for their age, underlying health conditions, occupation and lifestyle. Vaccines might include, for example, pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for an older person, or hepatitis B vaccine for a first aid officer.

Also ensure that all children are vaccinated according to the National Immunisation Program schedule. In exceptional circumstances, give the National Immunisation Program vaccines at the minimum age rather than the recommended age (see Table. Minimum acceptable age for the 1st dose of scheduled vaccines in infants in special circumstances ). Children vaccinated using the minimum age rather than the recommended age may need extra vaccine doses to ensure adequate protection. Observe the minimum interval requirements between doses (see Table. Minimum acceptable dose intervals for children <10 years of age ). The chances of being exposed to some diseases, such as measles and mumps, may be greater during overseas travel, even to other developed countries.

For some itineraries, it may be appropriate for the traveller to receive some booster doses earlier than the routine recommended time. An example may be diphtheria-tetanus booster.

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis

Vaccinate adult travellers against tetanus before departure, particularly if:

their risk of sustaining a tetanus-prone wound is high
there could be delays in accessing health services where they can receive tetanus toxoid boosters safely, if required

Offer dTpa vaccine during a pre-travel consultation if the traveller has never received a dose of dTpa . This provides protection against pertussis (see Pertussis ).

For high-risk travel, consider giving a booster dose of either dTpa or dT vaccine if more than 5 years have passed (see Tetanus ).

Hepatitis B

Most Australian children born since 2000 have been vaccinated against hepatitis B under the National Immunisation Program or state and territory school-based vaccination programs.

Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for long-term or frequent travellers to regions of intermediate or high endemicity of hepatitis B, including:

Central and South America

This is because travellers may be exposed to hepatitis B virus through bloodborne routes (including during emergency medical or dental procedures) or sexual routes. According to 1 survey, about half of Australian travellers who spent at least 3 nights in Southeast or East Asia participated in at least 1 activity that had a risk of hepatitis B transmission. 13

Influenza and pneumococcal disease

Older travellers and those with any relevant underlying medical or behavioural risk factors should receive pneumococcal vaccine. See Pneumococcal disease for more details.

Consider influenza vaccine for all travellers, especially if they are travelling to a region during its influenza season. Influenza vaccine is particularly relevant if:

there is an influenza epidemic at the traveller’s destination
the person is travelling in a large tourist group, especially one that includes older people
the person is travelling on cruises, where people are relatively confined for days to weeks

Measles, mumps and rubella

Inadequately vaccinated young adult travellers are responsible for most current measles outbreaks in Australia. This occurs when they acquire the infection overseas and bring it back to Australia. Some countries, regions or communities — including developed countries — have a higher incidence of measles and mumps than Australia. 9

Australians born during or since 1966 who have not received the recommended 2 doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella)–containing vaccines are recommended to receive MMR vaccine before travelling. This also applies to infants 6–12 months old travelling to areas with measles outbreaks or where measles is endemic . The exception is for pregnant women, because MMR is a live vaccine and is contraindicated in pregnancy.

People born before 1966 do not need to receive measles-containing vaccine (unless serological evidence indicates that they are not immune). This is because circulating measles virus and disease were prevalent before 1966, so most people would have acquired immunity from natural infection .

However, confirmed cases of measles have occurred in people born before 1966. 14 If in doubt about a person’s immunity, it may be faster and easier to vaccinate the person than conduct serological testing . See Serological testing for immunity to measles .

Meningococcal disease

Vaccination against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135, Y and B is recommended for certain age and population groups who are at increased risk of meningococcal disease.

In addition, MenACWY (quadrivalent meningococcal) vaccine is recommended for people who are:

planning travel to, or living in, parts of the world where epidemics of serogroup A, C, W-135 or Y meningococcal disease occur, particularly the ‘meningitis belt’ of sub-Saharan Africa 15
planning travel to mass gatherings, such as pilgrims travelling to the Hajj in Saudi Arabia

Seek up-to-date epidemiological information to determine whether a traveller needs meningococcal vaccination. See Accessing up-to-date travel information.

The Saudi Arabian authorities require that all pilgrims travelling to Mecca (for the Hajj or Umra) have evidence of recent vaccination with the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine. 16 See Requirements for travellers to Mecca and Accessing up-to-date travel information .

Poliomyelitis

Ensure that all travellers are age-appropriately vaccinated against polio (see Poliomyelitis ).

If the person is travelling to a country where wild poliovirus is still circulating, they should receive inactivated poliovirus ( IPV ) vaccine if they have not completed a 3-dose primary course of any polio vaccine. Travellers who have completed the primary course should receive a single booster dose.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Polio Eradication Initiative website website has an up-to-date list of polio-affected countries.

Documented evidence of polio vaccination is not routinely required for travellers under the International Health Regulations. However, documented evidence of vaccination may be temporarily required according to WHO recommendations in response to new evidence of the spread of wild poliovirus (see Vaccines required by the International Health Regulations or for entry into specific countries and Documentation and certificates ).

International polio epidemiology and associated travel requirements can change. Check the Australian Government Department of Health website for current recommendations for Australian travellers .

Ensure that all travellers are age-appropriately vaccinated against COVID-19. Foreign governments may require evidence of COVID-19 vaccination before a traveller is allowed to enter. The Australian-issued International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate is a secure way to prove COVID-19 vaccination history that has been developed to meet agreed international travel standards. Parents and carers of children <14 years of age, adolescents ≥14 years of age and adults can get a copy of their COVID-19 vaccination certificate at any time:

using their Medicare online account through myGov
through the Medicare Express Plus mobile app
by calling 1800 653 809 (free call)

Vaccines based on travel itinerary, activities and likely risk of disease exposure

Use a risk assessment approach when recommending travel vaccines. Weigh the potential risks of disease exposure and protective benefits from vaccination against potential adverse effects, and the non-financial and financial costs of vaccination.

Prioritise vaccines for diseases that are:

common and of significant impact, such as influenza and hepatitis A
less common, but have severe potential adverse outcomes, such as Japanese encephalitis and rabies

Consider booster doses, where appropriate (see disease-specific chapters in this Handbook for recommendations). If the person is departing for travel soon, consider an accelerated schedule, if appropriate, such as for hepatitis B vaccine or the combination hepatitis A-hepatitis B vaccine (see Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B ). Although immunity may be established sooner with the accelerated schedule, people who receive an accelerated schedule need another dose about a year later to complete the course and ensure long-term protection.

Most travellers do not need cholera vaccine. 16,17 The risk of a traveller acquiring cholera is very low if they avoid contaminated food and water.

No country requires travellers to have certification of cholera vaccination. No country has official entry requirements for cholera vaccination

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all travellers ≥1 year of age travelling to moderately or highly endemic countries (including all developing countries). The exceptions are people who have evidence of natural immunity after previous infection .

Normal human immunoglobulin is no longer used to protect travellers against hepatitis A.

Japanese encephalitis

While now considered an emerging disease in Australia, Japanese Encephalitis is more likely in travellers to endemic regions overseas. 18 Japanese encephalitis ( JE ) vaccine is recommended for travellers spending a month or more in endemic areas in Asia, Papua New Guinea or the outer islands of Torres Strait during the JE virus transmission season.

Consider JE vaccination for shorter-term travellers, particularly if:

travel is during the wet season
travel may be repeated
the person will spend a lot of time outdoors
the person’s accommodation has no air-conditioning, screens or bed nets

Check a reputable source before travel for information about JE virus activity — for example, Health Information for International Travel (the ‘Yellow Book’) . 19

A traveller’s overall risk of acquiring JE in these JE - endemic countries is likely to be low (<1 case per 1 million travellers). Determine the specific risk according to the: 17

season of travel
regions visited
duration of travel
extent of outdoor activity
extent to which the person avoids mosquito bites

Recommendations for rabies vaccination as pre-exposure prophylaxis

When deciding whether to give a pre-travel prophylactic rabies vaccination, assess the:

likelihood of exposure to potentially rabid animals
access to appropriate health care and availability of post-exposure prophylaxis , including rabies immunoglobulin , should there be an at-risk exposure
timeliness of access to health care after exposure

Use a lower threshold for recommending rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis for children travelling to endemic areas.

Benefits of vaccination as pre-exposure prophylaxis

Pre-travel rabies vaccination:

ensures that the traveller has received a safe and efficacious vaccine
simplifies the management of a subsequent exposure because the person will need fewer doses of vaccine
means that rabies immunoglobulin — which is often extremely expensive, and difficult or even impossible to obtain in many developing countries — is not needed
reduces the urgency of post-exposure prophylaxis

Tick-borne encephalitis

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is caused by a tick-borne RNA flavivirus. The disease may involve the central nervous system. TBE is prevalent in parts of central and northern European temperate regions, and across northern Asia. Travellers are at risk when hiking or camping in forested areas in endemic regions during the summer months.

Safe and effective vaccines are available. Vaccination is recommended only for people with a high risk of exposure.

TBE vaccine is not registered in Australia, but a small stock of vaccine may be available for use under the Special Access Scheme .

Tuberculosis

Vaccination with BCG (bacille Calmette–Guérin) vaccine is generally recommended for tuberculin-negative children <5 years of age who will be staying in high-risk countries for an extended period (3 months or longer).

Vaccinating older children and adults appears to be less beneficial. However, consider vaccinating tuberculin-negative children aged ≥5 years but <16 years who may be living or travelling for long periods in high-risk countries.

A high-risk country is one that has a tuberculosis incidence of >40 per 100,000 population.

For travellers who need BCG vaccine, consider the following precautions when scheduling their vaccination visits:

If possible, give BCG vaccine at least 3 months before the person will arrive in an endemic area.
Give other live viral vaccines (for example, MMR , varicella, yellow fever) at the same time or with a minimum 4-week interval after BCG vaccination.
A tuberculin skin test (TST; Mantoux), performed by trained and accredited healthcare practitioners, is recommended before receiving BCG vaccine for all individuals (except infants aged <6 months).
People may suppress reactions to tuberculin for 4–6 weeks after viral infections or live viral vaccines, particularly measles infection and measles-containing vaccines.

State and territory tuberculosis services can provide tuberculin skin tests and BCG vaccine.

Yellow fever

Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for all people ≥9 months of age travelling to, or living in, an area with a risk of yellow fever virus transmission. 20

To minimise the risk of introducing yellow fever, some countries require documented evidence of yellow fever vaccination for entry, in line with the International Health Regulations (see Vaccines required by the International Health Regulations or for entry into specific countries ).

When assessing the need for yellow fever vaccination, consider:

the risk of the person being infected with yellow fever virus
country entry requirements
individual factors such as age, pregnancy and underlying medical conditions

Vaccination is generally not recommended for travel to areas with a low probability of yellow fever virus exposure — that is:

where human yellow fever cases have never been reported
where evidence suggests only low levels of yellow fever virus transmission in the past

However, consider vaccination for a small subset of travellers to lower-risk areas who are at increased risk of exposure to mosquitoes or who are unable to avoid mosquito bites. 20

People aged ≥60 years are at increased risk of severe adverse events after primary yellow fever vaccination. Weigh the adverse effects of vaccinating people in this age group against the potential for yellow fever virus exposure and, in turn, the benefits of vaccination. 17

Booster doses

Most people do not need a booster dose of yellow fever vaccine. A single dose induces protective antibody levels that last for many decades. However, certain people are recommended to receive a booster if their last dose was more than 10 years ago and they are at ongoing risk of yellow fever virus infection . See Yellow fever .

Vaccines required by the International Health Regulations or for entry into specific countries

Yellow fever requirements.

The International Health Regulations require yellow fever vaccination for travelling in certain circumstances. This is to:

protect travellers who are likely to be exposed to yellow fever
stop importation of the virus into countries that have the relevant vectors (see Yellow fever ).

Some countries may require documented evidence of yellow fever vaccination as a condition of entry or exit (see Planning and documenting vaccines ). This includes countries that do not currently have yellow fever circulating.

Australia’s yellow fever travel requirements are detailed in the Australian Government Department of Health’s yellow fever fact sheet .

Contact the relevant embassies or consulates in Australia to confirm the entry requirements for yellow fever vaccination for the countries a traveller intends to enter or transit through.

Requirements for travellers to Mecca

Each year, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health publishes the requirements and recommendations for entry visas for travellers on pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj and Umra). 16

For pilgrims travelling directly from Australia, only evidence of MenACWY vaccination is currently mandatory. However, check the current requirements when advising prospective Hajj and Umra pilgrims (see Meningococcal disease and Accessing up-to-date travel information ).

Temporary requirements

The International Health Regulations may temporarily introduce requirements for other vaccine-preventable diseases in response to changes in disease epidemiology that are of international health concern. An example is for polio vaccination.

Because country vaccination requirements are subject to change at any time, confirm all current vaccination requirements for the countries a traveller intends to enter or transit through before travel. See Poliomyelitis and Accessing up-to-date travel information .

Planning and documenting vaccines

Ideally, start vaccination courses early enough before departure to allow:

monitoring of any possible adverse events
time for adequate immunity to develop

Requirements for multiple vaccines

A traveller may need multiple vaccines before they depart. Apply the standard recommendations and precautions when giving multiple vaccines (see Administration of vaccines ).

A traveller may need more than 1 clinic visit if they need multiple vaccines or doses (for example, rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis or hepatitis B vaccine). Pay special attention to scheduling of these visits, and consider:

dose interval precautions (for example, for multiple live vaccines)
requirements for pre-vaccination tests (for example, tuberculin skin test)
potential interference by some antimalarials, if relevant (for example, rabies vaccine)

Documentation and certificates

It is important to document travel vaccines:

in the clinic’s record
in the traveller’s record that they can carry with them
on the Australian Immunisation Register

The record should also include all the other routinely recommended vaccines that the traveller has ever received.

For yellow fever vaccination, a traveller needs to have an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), which only Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres can provide under the International Health Regulations (see Yellow fever ).

Travellers may also need an ICVP for other vaccine-preventable diseases, such as polio, based on temporary recommendations.

See also Accessing up-to-date travel information .

Vaccinating travellers with special risk factors

See Vaccination for women who are planning pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding , Vaccination for people who are immunocompromised and the disease-specific chapters in this Handbook for recommendations for travellers who are pregnant or immunocompromised.

Accessing up-to-date travel information

International travellers’ health risks constantly change. Up-to-date information, and knowledge of the changing epidemiology and current outbreaks of infectious and emerging diseases are essential. Reliable online information sources include:

World Health Organization (WHO) for disease outbreak news, and its Travel and health section for specific advice on travel and health, including travel vaccination recommendations
Travelers’ health , United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Travel health information , Australian Government Department of Health
Smartraveller , the Australian Government’s travel advisory and consular information service, which provides up-to-date advice about health, safety and other risks of specific destinations for Australian travellers

The following resources have comprehensive technical advice on international travel and health, including vaccination:

the latest edition of WHO’s International travel and health
the CDC’s Health Information for International Travel (the ‘Yellow Book’)
Australian Bureau of Statistics. 3401.0 – Overseas arrivals and departures, Australia, Mar 2018 (accessed May 2018).
Paudel P, Raina C, Zwar N, et al. Risk activities and pre-travel health seeking practices of notified cases of imported infectious diseases in Australia. Journal of Travel Medicine 2017;24(5):tax044.
Heywood AE, Watkins RE, Iamsirithaworn S, Nilvarangkul K, MacIntyre CR. A cross-sectional study of pre-travel health-seeking practices among travelers departing Sydney and Bangkok airports. BMC Public Health 2012;12:321.
Chen LH, Leder K, Barbre KA, et al. Business travel-associated illness: a GeoSentinel analysis. Journal of Travel Medicine 2018;25.
Angelo KM, Kozarsky PE, Ryan ET, Chen LH, Sotir MJ. What proportion of international travellers acquire a travel-related illness? A review of the literature. Journal of Travel Medicine 2017;24.
Freedman DO, Weld LH, Kozarsky PE, et al. Spectrum of disease and relation to place of exposure among ill returned travelers. New England Journal of Medicine 2006;354:119-30.
Halstead SB, Hills SL, Dubischar K. Japanese encephalitis vaccines. In: Plotkin SA, Orenstein WA, Offit PA, Edwards KM, eds. Plotkin's vaccines. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018.
Staples JE , Monath TP, Gershman MD, Barrett AD. Yellow fever vaccines. In: Plotkin SA, Orenstein WA, Offit PA, Edwards KM, eds. Plotkin's vaccines. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018.
World Health Organization (WHO). Chapter 6: Vaccine-preventable diseases and vaccines . In: International travel and health. Geneva: WHO; 2017.
Steffen R. Travel vaccine preventable diseases-updated logarithmic scale with monthly incidence rates. Journal of Travel Medicine 2018;25.
Denholm JT, Thevarajan I. Tuberculosis and the traveller: evaluating and reducing risk through travel consultation. Journal of Travel Medicine 2016;23.
Lachish T, Tenenboim S, Schwartz E. 35 - Humanitarian Aid Workers. In: Keystone JS, Kozarsky PE, Connor BA, et al., eds. Travel Medicine (Fourth Edition). London: Elsevier; 2019. (Accessed 6 July 2023). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323546966000355
Leggat PA, Zwar NA, Hudson BJ. Hepatitis B risks and immunisation coverage amongst Australians travelling to Southeast Asia and East Asia. Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease 2009;7:344-9.
Winkler NE, Dey A, Quinn HE, et al. Australian vaccine preventable disease epidemiological review series: measles, 2012-2019. Commun Dis Intell (2018) 2022;46.
World Health Organization (WHO). Epidemic meningitis control in countries of the African meningitis belt, 2017. Weekly Epidemiological Record 2018;93:173-84.
World Health Organization (WHO). International travel and health: health conditions for travellers to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) . 2017 (accessed May 2018).
Freedman DO, Chen LH. Vaccines for International Travel. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2019;94:2314-39.
Furuya-Kanamori L, Gyawali N, Mills DJ, et al. The Emergence of Japanese Encephalitis in Australia and the Implications for a Vaccination Strategy. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022;7.
Hills SL, Rabe IB, Fischer M. Infectious diseases related to travel: Japanese encephalitis . In: CDC yellow book 2018: health information for international travel. New York: Oxford University Press; 2017.
World Health Organization (WHO). International travel and health (accessed Apr 2018).

Page history

Minor updates to clinical guidance around routinely recommended vaccines (not specific to travelling overseas), including the addition of advice regarding COVID-19.

Editorial update to reflect changes to pneumococcal vaccine recommendations for older adults and people with medical risk factors.

Guidance on vaccination of travellers against measles, mumps and rubella updated to reflect advice in the Measles chapter.

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Acknowledgement

The Department of Health and Aged Care acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past and present.

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Vaccines for children: Childhood vaccination schedule

About vaccines

Childhood vaccination schedule

COVID-19 vaccination
What to expect at the vaccination appointment

Vaccine records

You can find out which vaccines your child has had by looking at their vaccine record. If your child doesn't have one, contact their health care provider or your local public health unit to get one.

Everyone should maintain a vaccination history throughout their life. Keep it in a safe place and present it at every vaccination appointment so it can be updated. In some regions, your child’s vaccine record may be electronic. Whether you have a paper or electronic vaccine record, you should ensure it's updated whenever your child receives a vaccine.

Vaccine records: Access your or your child’s vaccination history

Who to talk to for vaccine advice

Talk to your child's health care provider, local public health unit or pharmacist. They can provide you with more information about vaccines or direct you to sources of information about vaccines.

It’s important to get information about vaccines from reputable sources, like:

A Teen's Guide to Vaccination
A Parent's Guide to Vaccination
Canadian Pediatric Society
Vaccines and immunization (World Health Organization)

Some sources may contain information that's untrue, unclear or misleading (misinformation). There are resources to help you identify sources that may not be reliable or information that may not be true.

How to identify misinformation online

Where to get vaccinated

To find out where you can get your child vaccinated, you can:

contact a health care provider
search the internet or your local phone book for your nearest public health office (CLSC in Quebec) and contact them

Provincial and territorial immunization resources

Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as routine childhood vaccines

Children can receive multiple vaccines at the same time. Children 6 months of age and older can receive routine vaccines at the same time as the COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

This makes it easier to stay up to date on recommended childhood vaccines by reducing the number of appointments needed.

Learn more about:

Vaccines for children: COVID-19 vaccination
Vaccines for COVID-19: Book a vaccination appointment

When you travel, you may come in contact with diseases that aren't common in Canada. Talk to a qualified travel health provider or visit a travel health clinic at least 6 weeks before you and your child are scheduled to travel. They might recommend you and your child receive specific vaccinations based on your destination.

Travel vaccination advice and information

If your child hasn't received all recommended vaccines for their age, they can still catch up.

Talk to your child's health care provider or your local public health unit to discuss:

which vaccines your child has already had
which ones they still need
when and where to get them

Vaccine schedules may differ depending on your province or territory. If you move to another province or territory, contact your child's new health care provider or your new local public health unit. They will let you know which vaccines your child may need.

Immunocompromised means that the immune system may be weakened due to:

a health condition
certain medications

Children who are immunocompromised may not be able to receive certain vaccines or the vaccines may not work as well for them. It's very important for people who live with or have close contact with a child who's immunocompromised to stay up to date with their own vaccines to help protect the child. Talk to your child's health care provider or local public health unit about how to help keep your child protected.

Chickenpox (varicella)
Flu (influenza)
Hepatitis B
Hib ( Haemophilus influenzae type b)
HPV (human papillomavirus)
Meningococcal disease
Pneumococcal disease
Polio (poliomyelitis)
Whooping cough (pertussis)

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Travel vaccinations

Measles cases are increasing worldwide.

Before travelling, check that you and your family have received the recommended measles vaccinations.

Do not travel if you have symptoms of measles or have been in contact with someone with measles.

If you develop symptoms of measles after your return to Canada, call a health care provider right away.

Global Measles Notice

When travelling outside Canada, you may be at risk for a number of vaccine preventable illnesses.

You should consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before you travel. This is an opportunity to:

review your immunization history
make sure your provincial/territorial vaccination schedule is up-to-date
discuss any trip-related health concerns you may have
assess your needs based on where you plan to travel and what you plan to do

You may need additional vaccinations depending on your age, planned travel activities and local conditions. Preventing disease through vaccination is a lifelong process.

Use the reference below to determine which vaccinations may be recommended or required for your destination.

Vaccination recommendations by destination

Yellow fever vaccination.

Some countries require proof that you have received a yellow fever vaccination before allowing you to enter the country. Consult an embassy or consulate of your destination country in Canada for up-to-date information on its entry and exit requirements before you travel abroad.

Other countries may require you to have been vaccinated for yellow fever if you have passed through an area where yellow fever may occur .

Proof of vaccination must be documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis . You must carry the original certificate with you.

In Canada, the vaccination is only given at designated yellow fever vaccination centres .

Immunization records

Download the free CANImmunize app from the iOS App Store or Google Play, and manage your family’s vaccination records on the go.
Carry copies of your family’s immunization records while you travel and leave the originals at home.
Sickness or injury
Travel Advice and Advisories
If you get sick after travelling
Receiving medical care in other countries
Travel health kit
Travel insurance
Well on Your Way - A Canadian’s Guide to Healthy Travel Abroad
Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada , Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
Recommended Immunization Schedules , PHAC

COMMENTS

Vaccine Recommendations for Infants & Children
Infants who do not receive vaccination who will be traveling for >1 month but ≤2 months should receive an IG dose of 0.2 mL/kg. If the traveler remains in a high-risk setting, IG (0.2 mL/kg) should be administered every 2 months until hepatitis A vaccine can be given at ≥6 months of age, if not contraindicated.
Travel Vaccines to Protect Your Family
Protect your child and family when traveling in the United States or abroad by: Getting the shots required for all countries you and your family plan to visit during your trip. Making sure you and your family are up-to-date on all routine U.S. vaccines. Staying informed about travel notices and alerts and how they can affect your family's ...
Travel vaccinations for children: Everything you need to know
For example, often MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) is given at the 1-year-old visit. But in case of travel, your travel specialist may recommend giving a dose of MMR vaccine before age 12 months ...
Traveling Safely with Infants & Children
Advise adults traveling with children to seek medical attention for an infant or young child with diarrhea who has signs of moderate to severe dehydration, bloody diarrhea, body temperature >101.3°F (38.5°C), or persistent vomiting (unable to maintain oral hydration). Adequate hydration is the mainstay of TD management.
Do Kids Need Vaccines Before Traveling? (for Parents)
rabies. All kids get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at 12-15 months of age, and the hepatitis A vaccine between their first and second birthdays. But any who will travel outside the United States before that can get these vaccines as early as 6 months of age. They will still need the routine vaccines after their first birthday.
Need travel vaccines? Plan ahead.
Find out which travel vaccines you may need to help you stay healthy on your trip. Before Travel. 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 ...
Your Travel Vaccine Checklist
Below is a list of vaccine-preventable travel-related diseases that are not covered by routine adult vaccinations: Hepatitis A. Hepatitis B. Typhoid and paratyphoid fever. Meningococcal disease ...
Vaccine Schedules for Parents
Making the Vaccine Decision; Strengthening Your Baby's Immune System; Combination Vaccines; Vaccine Schedule plus icon. Child Schedule; Teen Schedule; Who sets the Vaccine Schedule; Reasons to Follow the Schedule; Vaccines by Age plus icon. Pregnancy; Birth; 1-2 Months; 3-4 Months ; 5-6 Months ; 7-11 Months; 12-23 Months; 2-3 Years; 4-6 Years ...
9 common questions about vaccines and travel
Pneumococcal. Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) Polio. Shingles. 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.
Recommended Vaccines by Age
There are usually no vaccinations scheduled between 7 and 11 months of age. However, if your baby has missed an earlier vaccination, now is a good time to "catch up." Babies 6 months and older should receive flu vaccination every flu season. Immunization Schedule Recommended Immunizations for Children from Birth through 6 years Old
Frequently Asked Questions: Guidance for Travelers to Enter the U.S
Updated Date: April 21, 2022 Since January 22, 2022, DHS has required non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination upon request.
Travel Immunizations & Resources
Essentials you don't want to be without. We've got you covered. Travel safely with our TSA-approved items. At-home COVID-19 tests. Travel-sized toiletries. Shop all travel items. Walgreens can help you prepare for your next adventure. Talk to a pharmacist to find out what vaccines, prescriptions and OTC medicines you need for your trip.
Flying With a Baby
A passport for international flights. All U.S. citizens, including newborns, need their own passports to fly internationally. To obtain one for your baby, you'll need to use the DS-11 form and apply together in person, so plan ahead. For domestic flights, babies and children under 18 don't need a passport or an ID. Her birth certificate.
Travelers' Health Most Frequently Asked Questions
If you need to contact a US embassy or consulate, call 1-888-407-4747 (from the US or Canada) OR 00-1-202-501-4444 (from other countries). Travel healthy, from CDC's Travelers' Health! CDC Travelers' Health Branch provides health advice to international travelers, including advice about medications and vaccines.
Tips for healthy travel with children
Air travel is safe for healthy infants and children, but ear pain due to changes in pressure during landing is more common in children than in adults. To lessen the pain you can: bottle-feed or breastfeed infants. encourage older children to chew gum, swallow or yawn. If you are travelling by air with a newborn who is 1 to 2 weeks old, check ...
Travel vaccination advice
The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS from your GP surgery: polio (given as a combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio jab) typhoid; ... it's unlikely a vaccine given while you're pregnant or breastfeeding will cause problems for the baby. But the GP will be able to give you further advice about this. People with immune deficiencies.
Baby Vaccines at 1-2 Months
During the first months of your baby's life, routine vaccines can help protect your child from a variety of serious or potentially fatal diseases. At 1 to 2 months, your baby should receive vaccines to protect them from the following diseases: Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP) Haemophilus influenzae type b disease ...
Baby and toddler travel: what you need to know before going ahead
If you are travelling to countries where you need a visa, you'll need to sort that out too (GOV.UK, 2012). Make sure you sort travel and health insurance before you go (annual family policies are often the best value) (GOV.UK, 2012). Find out about required travel vaccinations (GOV.UK, 2012; Fit for travel, 2018)
Available travel vaccines
If travelling to a high-risk area, you should be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis with a MenACWY vaccine, also known as the quadrivalent meningococcal meningitis vaccine. This is a single injection that should be given 2 to 3 weeks before you travel. Babies under a year old need 2 injections.
Travelers' Health
More. Learn about CDC's Traveler Genomic Surveillance Program that detects new COVID-19 variants entering the country. Sign up to get travel notices, clinical updates, & healthy travel tips. CDC Travelers' Health Branch provides updated travel information, notices, and vaccine requirements to inform international travelers and provide ...
Vaccination for international travellers
Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all travellers ≥1 year of age travelling to moderately or highly endemic countries (including all developing countries). The exceptions are people who have evidence of natural immunity after previous infection.
Vaccines for children: Childhood vaccination schedule
No matter where you live in Canada, childhood vaccines are provided for free and offered according to your province or territory's routine or catch-up schedules. Your child will usually be vaccinated: between birth to 2 months. at 4 months. at 6 months. at 12 months. at 18 months. between 4 to 6 years of age. Get your child's vaccination schedule.
Travel vaccinations
When travelling outside Canada, you may be at risk for a number of vaccine preventable illnesses. You should consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before you travel. This is an opportunity to: You may need additional vaccinations depending on your age, planned travel activities and local conditions.

Does your child need vaccines before international travel? Here's what you need to know.

What to know about travel vaccinations

Which travel vaccines should my child get before traveling internationally?

Do some routine childhood vaccines require an adjusted schedule for travel?

When should travel vaccinations be assessed?

How effective are travel vaccines?

Are travel vaccines safe for kids?

Does my child really need a vaccine against a disease that is now rare?

Will multiple vaccines at the same time overload a baby’s immune system?

Tips for preparing your family for healthy travels

Do Kids Need Vaccines Before Traveling?

9 common questions about vaccines and travel

Share this:

Here are answers to common questions about travel medicine:

2. What vaccinations do I need to travel overseas?

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

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

Recommended vaccines may include:

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

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

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

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

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

9. How do I stay healthy while traveling?

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Q: What documentation will be required to show vaccination status?

Q: What happens if someone doesn’t have proof of vaccine status?

Q: Will incoming travelers be required to present COVID-19 test results?

Q: What does this mean for those who can't be vaccinated, either due to age or other health considerations?

Q: Does this requirement apply to amateur and professional athletes?

Q: Are commercial truckers required to be vaccinated?

Q. Do you expect border wait times to increase?

Q: How is Customs and Border Protection staffing the ports of entry?

Q: What happens if a vaccinated individual is traveling with an unvaccinated individual?

Q: If I am traveling for an essential reason but am not vaccinated can I still enter?

Q: Are sea crew members on vessels required to have a COVID vaccine to disembark?

Entering the U.S. via Air Travel

Q: What are the COVID testing requirements for air passengers to the United States?

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Because you shouldn’t stress about your health when you travel

No one wants to get sick on vacation

Making passport renewal easy

Need help with travel medical insurance?

Essentials you don’t want to be without

Flying With a Baby? Here’s What to Know Before You Go

Trending On What to Expect

Vaccines at 1 to 2 Months

Vaccines your baby should get

Additional protection for your baby during RSV season

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Care for your child after vaccinations

Give your child extra care and attention

Treat mild reactions

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

Baby and toddler travel: what you need to know before going ahead

Travelling with a baby or toddler: the basics

Baby and toddler travel essentials

Baby and toddler holiday essentials

Travelling with a baby or toddler: top tips

By train or bus

Further information

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NCT New Baby course

NCT Introducing Solid Foods workshop

Baby & Child First Aid

Available travel vaccines

 Q. What are the requirements to enter the United States for children under the age of 18 who can't be vaccinated?

Q: Do U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents need proof of vaccination to return to the United States via land POEs and ferry terminals?

Processing Changes Announced on January 22, 2022 

Q: Will there be any exemptions? 

Q: What does this mean for those who can't be vaccinated, either due to age or other health considerations? 

Q: How is Customs and Border Protection staffing the ports of entry? 

Q: What happens if a vaccinated individual is traveling with an unvaccinated individual? 

Q: Are sea crew members on vessels required to have a COVID vaccine to disembark?

Q: What are the COVID testing requirements for air passengers to the United States? 