<![CDATA[Traveling internationally this summer? Whether you're studying abroad or planning a summer vacation, traveling to international destinations often requires getting vaccinations and or certain medications. A surprising number of people fail to realize they will need travel vaccines and either wait until the last minute to get them or forget altogether and find their travel plans thwarted. If you’re traveling internationally, do yourself a favor and get any necessary vaccinations sooner rather than later. Read on to see Urgent Care West Hartford's guide to summer vacation travel vaccines 2019.

Travel Vaccines for North America

Good news! If you are traveling within the U.S. or Canada you do not need any special vaccines other than the routine vaccines that most people have had as children, such as measles(link opens in new tab), tetanus, and polio. Make sure all of your boosters are in order, (and if traveling during the fall or winter, it’s always smart to make sure you’ve had your flu vaccination).

Travel Vaccines for the Caribbean

Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are recommended for most Caribbean islands, particularly if travelers are set to visit rural areas.
As you may have heard, Cholera remains a risk in the Dominican Republic (link opens in new tab) and Haiti. Visitors to Haiti are also often encouraged to take anti-malarials.

Travel Vaccines for Central and South America

In addition to the routine vaccines, visitors to South America should get a hepatitis A and a typhoid vaccine, as both can be transmitted via contaminated food.
Zika virus (link opens in new tab) is present in parts of central and South America, and while there is no vaccine, travelers can take precautions by avoiding standing water and wearing mosquito repellent. Pregnant women may prefer to opt out of these locations, as Zika in pregnant women has been linked to microscopically in children.

Travel vaccines for Europe

Visitors to most countries in Western Europe will not require any additional vaccines beyond the routine ones. However, the CDC recommends visitors to some eastern European countries such as Romania (link opens in new tab) also get vaccinated for hepatitis A (link opens in new tab), as it can be transmitted via contaminated food or water.

Travel Vaccines for Africa

For all countries in Africa, the CDC recommends yellow fever, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid vaccines (link opens in new tab). Polio and meningitis boosters may also be necessary depending on which region of Africa you are visiting. Visitors to most African countries will also want to protect against malaria by taking anti-malarials, usually for a short period of time before, during, and after a trip. As in South America, visitors to countries in Africa affected by the Zika virus (link opens in new tab)— such as in Western and sub-Saharan Africa — should take precautions against the mosquito-borne virus or avoid certain destinations if pregnant.
Many people travel to Africa for safaris or to spend time with animals in the wild, and a rabies vaccine is often recommended in these cases. Cholera is also a risk in certain countries.

Travel Vaccines for Asia

In most Asian countries, the CDC recommends hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines for visitors. Travelers who are staying more than a month or spending prolonged periods in rural areas of some parts of the continent may want to consider a Japanese encephalitis vaccine as well, as it can be transmitted via needles and mosquitoes.
Cholera is a risk in Thailand (link opens in a new tab), Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, India, and Bangladesh.