Your Guide to Required Vaccinations for Travel

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” —Benjamin Franklin. With international travel vaccinations, that’s 100% true, mis amigos. A small jab in advance will keep you safe from a world of pain, or worse, seriously uncomfortable symptoms or life-threatening conditions.

Vaccines needed for travel can help keep you safe while you explore the world.

So, whether you’re planning to volunteer in Uganda or teach English in Thailand, you may be wondering, “What vaccines do I need to travel?” No matter which country you’d like to visit, this guide will cover all the required vaccinations for travel to every corner of the world.

You’ll also find out the recommended vaccinations so that your immune system will be fully prepared for other unexpected curveballs. Plus, you’ll get the answer to some of your top questions about vaccines, see locations for where you can get vaccinated, and discover some helpful tips along the way. Then, you’ll be ready to jet-set to your destination!

Are vaccines required to travel?

It depends. To travel to some countries, you’ll need proof of certain vaccinations, such as for COVID-19, yellow fever, or polio, so it’s important to check your destination’s requirements beforehand. Be sure to double-check your health records to confirm you’re up to date on routine vaccines—you may still need booster shots even if you’ve received the vaccine before.

It’s important to get vaccines at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip since you may need multiple doses, and your body will need time to build immunity. Some countries will also make strong recommendations for certain vaccines, especially if you’re traveling to rural or remote areas.

Do you need vaccinations to get a passport?

You can breathe a sigh of relief because no, you don’t need vaccinations to get a U.S. passport. You’ll need to submit a form, proof of citizenship, proof of identity, color photograph, and fees. Learn more about all of the specific requirements to get a passport.

However, some countries will require you to get a visa—which may require certain vaccinations—to travel to the country. Learn more about the specific vaccinations your travel destination requires at iVisa.com. This organization stays up to date on all the latest requirements to simplify the process.

READ: International Visas: What You Need to Know

Required vaccinations for travel by region

…plus a few more recommended international travel vaccines!

Before takeoff, make sure you know what vaccines you need to enter your destination country.

The CDC recommends that travelers be up to date on all routine vaccinations (chickenpox, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, flu, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, shingles), Hepatitis A, and Hepatitis B before traveling to another country.

For COVID-19, visit Travel.State.Gov for the latest information on specific vaccination and testing requirements by country. Requirements change regularly.

Let’s take a look at the required vaccinations for travel by continent and region:

1. North America

• United States: Non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. immigrants must be fully vaccinated with the primary series for COVID-19.
• Canada: Rabies vaccination only recommended for people directly handling wildlife.
• Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America:
• Rabies vaccination: Recommended, especially if handling wildlife.
• Typhoid vaccination: Recommended, and be sure to wash hands often, avoid ice, and drink only bottled water.
• Antimalarials: Recommended, and bring plenty of bug spray to avoid mosquito-borne diseases.
• Yellow fever (YF):
• Vaccination required in these countries if you’re traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission: Belize, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Martinique, The Bahamas, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Curaçao, Aruba, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Guatemala, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Sint Maarten, Saint Martin, Saint Barthelemy, and Montserrat.

2. South America

• Rabies vaccination: Recommended for most countries in South America.
• Typhoid vaccination: Recommended, and be sure to wash hands often, avoid ice, and drink only bottled water.
• Antimalarials: Recommended that you bring antimalarials for all South American countries except Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
• Yellow fever:
• Vaccination required if you’re traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission (or other specific countries): Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

3. Europe

• Rabies vaccination: Recommended if you’re going to be handling wildlife directly or if you’re traveling to an Eastern European country.
• Typhoid vaccination: Recommended if you’re going to Turkey.
• Tick-borne encephalitis vaccination: Recommended for most countries in Europe.
• Japanese encephalitis vaccination: Recommended if you’re traveling to Russia.
• Yellow fever:
• Vaccination required if you’re traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission: Albania and Malta.

4. Asia

Look forward to adventure (and unbeatable sunsets) once you’ve checked required vaccinations off your pre-travel to-do list.

• Rabies vaccination: Recommended for most countries in Asia.
• Typhoid vaccination: Recommended for most countries in Asia.
• Yellow fever:
• Vaccination required if traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates.
• Meningitis vaccination required: For all travelers going to Saudi Arabia to take part in the Hajj or Umrah.
• Antimalarials recommended: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Iran, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Vietnam.
• Cholera vaccination recommended: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Syria, Yemen.
• Japanese Encephalitis vaccination recommended:
• Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam.
• Tick-Borne Encephalitis vaccination recommended:
• China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, South Korea.

5. Africa

• Rabies vaccination: Recommended for most countries in Africa.
• Typhoid vaccination: Recommended for most countries in Africa.
• Antimalarials: It’s recommended to bring antimalarials along with you to most countries in Africa, along with bug spray.
• Yellow fever:
• Vaccination required for travelers older than 9 months or 1 year: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Côte d'ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda.
• Vaccination required for travelers from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission or transit for 12 hours in those countries: Algeria, Botswana, Cabo Verde (Cape Verde), Chad, Egypt, Eswatini (Swaziland), Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
• Cholera vaccination recommended: Benin, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia.
• Meningitis vaccination recommended: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda.

6. Oceania

• Rabies vaccination: It’s a good idea to get a rabies vaccination before traveling to Papua New Guinea or before going to Australia if you’re directly handling wildlife there.
• Typhoid vaccination: In all Oceanic countries except Australia and New Zealand, it’s recommended to get a typhoid vaccination, and to drink only bottled water.
• Antimalarials: In Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, you should take antimalarials to prevent malaria.
• Yellow fever:
• Vaccination required if traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission: Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands.
• Measles vaccination:
• Required to show proof of vaccination: Marshall Islands.

Where to get travel vaccines

Your doctor may have travel vaccinations, but if not, there are local clinics and online resources to help you out.

Plan to book an appointment at least a month or two in advance. Most places have limited openings, and you’ll also need time for your body to build immunity.

First, reach out to your local doctor’s office to see what travel vaccines they offer, and check to see if your health insurance covers travel vaccinations. Here are some other options:

• You can also contact your local health department for more information about accredited locations near you that offer travel vaccines.
• This online clinic directory lists travel vaccination clinics nearest you based on the specific services you need.
• Yellow fever vaccines are only available at authorized clinics, so be sure to use this directory.
• Many places have a Passport Health travel clinic that offers travel vaccines and can also help you answer, “What vaccines do I need to travel?”

If a vaccination isn’t required to travel to your destination but is recommended for certain situations, you may be able to get that vaccine in that country after you arrive. However, you’ll still need to take precautions and do your research ahead of time.

READ NEXT: 8 Post-COVID Safety Tips for Students Studying Abroad

Don’t skip international travel vaccinations

Go ahead, spin the globe. Once you know the ins and outs of required international travel vaccines, you’re ready for your next adventure.

Now you know exactly what international travel vaccinations you need to check off your list. While getting some vaccines needed for travel may be inconvenient, be sure to make them your top priority because your health should always come first. Plus, you’ll have more peace of mind knowing you’re vaccinated while traveling, which is priceless!

Plan Your Next Trip with our Travel Resources Hub!