Preparing for International Travel
Students planning travel to a foreign country are advised to see a travel health provider well in advance of their departure. The travel health clinic or provider will:
- assess and address any general or specific health needs
- provide any pre-travel immunizations or preventive care
- supply or prescribe any necessary medications
Immunizations
Immunizations are administered according to the health risk that the traveler is likely to face. Risk depends on itinerary, type of travel, age, previous vaccinations, medical history, and length of stay. Students in study abroad programs may need more protection than the casual tourist, especially if they will be living for prolonged periods in developing countries. Some general guidelines apply:
- All travelers should be up to date on “routine” immunizations (e.g., measles, tetanus).
- Some countries may require vaccinations against certain diseases for entry (e.g., yellow fever).
- People who travel to any developing country need to be concerned about food- and water-borne illnesses and should be sure to receive the appropriate immunizations (e.g., hepatitis A).
Usually, no special immunizations are needed for travel in Western Europe, Australia, or New Zealand. Regardless of destination, however, all routine immunizations should be current. If unsure whether immunization is necessary, find the country on the CDC’s list of destinations. A list of immunization prices at UHS is available here.
HIV testing
Some countries require an HIV test before entry for travelers and may require that it be done in-country; check with the country’s consular office for details. The U.S. State Department also maintains a list of HIV testing requirements. HIV testing must be done confidentially (using one’s name) and not anonymously. When calling UHS to schedule an appointment, mention that the HIV test is required for travel.
Appointments
Call 265-5600 or use MyUHS to schedule a travel consultation to determine which immunizations are needed and to obtain necessary medications. Some vaccines, for example, need to be administered more than one month before travel. There is considerable demand for Travel Clinic appointments, and you may be disappointed if you call at the last minute and cannot get in. Please plan ahead and try to schedule an appointment at least six to eight weeks prior to departure.
Make sure to provide routine immunization information when coming in for the consultation. Students who do not have their full immunization records available by the appointment may be rescheduled for a later date.
