Do I need vaccines before I travel?
- If you plan to travel outside the United States (US), you may need vaccines to protect yourself against diseases that aren't common in the US.
- Depending on where you go, vaccines against diseases like chikungunya, hepatitis, Japanese encephalitis (JE), typhoid, cholera, and yellow fever may be necessary.
- Some countries may ask for proof of immunization before entry (i.e. yellow fever, meningococcal, and polio).
- Staying current on vaccinations is also important if you plan to travel within the US. Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and whooping cough (pertussis) continue to occur throughout the US.
Where can I find health information specific to my travel plans?
- For health information specific to your destination, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travelers' Health website.
- For current health issues at destinations that may impact you, visit the CDC Travel Notices webpage.
- For key travel vaccine resources and a disease directory associated with travel, visit VaccineInformation.org’s Travel Vaccine Basics webpage.
How do I get travel vaccines?
- Your first step should be to contact your insurance provider to find out which vaccines are covered.
- Routine vaccines are covered by most insurance companies.
- Travel vaccines (i.e. yellow fever) and medicines to prevent certain diseases (i.e. malaria) are not always covered by standard health insurance, but it is worth asking because your insurance may cover some or all immunizations.
- Overall, investing in travel vaccinations is important for ensuring your health and safety abroad.
- To find a local travel vaccination clinic, check your local pharmacies or your primary care provider’s office to see if they offer travel vaccines.
- If you are traveling with children, the Washington State Childhood Vaccine Program provides routine vaccines at no cost to all children younger than 19. Travel vaccines are not included in this program.
What additional travel vaccines or medications should I ask about?
In addition to making sure that your routine vaccinations are up-to-date, such as flu, COVID-19, polio, MMR, hepatitis A and B, and Tdap, there are 11 travel-related diseases you should review and talk about with your pharmacist or travel clinic health care provider. This Travel Vaccine Guide is a great resource to review well in advance of when you plan to travel. The guide covers the following diseases:
- Chikungunya
- Cholera
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Japanese encephalitis
- Malaria
- Meningococcal diseases
- Rabies
- Tick-borne encephalitis
- Typhoid
- Yellow fever