Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need Travel Vaccines?
Which Vaccines Do I Need for…?
How Can I Prepare for My Appointment?
See full list of questions ▼
- Why Should I Visit a Travel Clinic?
- Why Should I Visit a Travel Clinic Instead of My Family Doctor?
- What Can I Expect From a Travel Clinic Appointment?
- When Should I Schedule My Travel Health Appointment?
- How Do I Schedule an Appointment at Passport Health?
- How Much Does A Travel Appointment Cost?
- Does My Assurance Cover Vaccines and Medicines for Foreign Travel?
- Do I Need Travel Vaccines Before Travelling Abroad?
- Do My Kids Need Vaccines Before Travelling?
- I Don’t Think I Need Any Immunisations for My Trip. Should I Still Make An Appointment?
- Do I Still Need Vaccines If I’m From the Country I’m Visiting?
- What Does A Vaccine (Immunization) Do?
- Which Vaccines Do I Need for India?
- Which Vaccines Do I Need for Africa?
- Which Vaccines Do I Need for Brazil?
- Is An Appointment Necessary to Visit a Passport Health Travel Clinic
- What Should I Bring to My Travel Clinic Appointment?
- How Can I Prepare for My Travel Clinic Appointment?
Why Should I Visit a Travel Clinic?
A Passport Health travel clinic is a one-stop destination for international travellers. Our travel medicine specialists administer, recommend and offer advice on:
Each traveller receives a comprehensive, destination-specific consultation that covers everything from avoiding and protecting yourself from contaminated food and water to properly guarding against mosquitoes that carry deadly diseases like yellow fever, malaria and dengue fever.
Why Should I Visit a Travel Clinic Instead of My Family Doctor?
Unlike primary care physicians, Passport Health travel clinics maintain a large inventory of hard-to-find travel vaccines to prevent yellow fever, typhoid fever, hepatitis A and other diseases endemic in countries around the globe. In fact, family doctors across North America refer thousands of their own patients to Passport Health every year because we offer a very high level of care in a specialized medical field.
What Can I Expect From a Travel Clinic Appointment?
Our bespoke travel consultations typically last 45 minutes and include a comprehensive itinerary with helpful information about the countries you will visit. Our highly skilled Travel Medicine Specialists will discuss health recommendations (from the ISTM, WHO and other sources) as well as medical or vaccination requirements specific to countries on your itinerary. Our consultation rooms are private and comfortable and your care is our top priority.
When Should I Schedule My Travel Health Appointment?
Many travel vaccines require two weeks to take full effect. Scheduling your appointment well in advance of your trip promotes health protection. Keep in mind, though, that it usually is not too late to visit our travel clinics. We will always do our best to accommodate last minute travelers.
How Do I Schedule an Appointment at Passport Health?
How Much Does A Travel Clinic Appointment Cost?
Prices vary from region to region and the cost of your visit depends on the recommended vaccinations you choose to receive. As the leading provider of travel vaccines, we are able to negotiate competitive rates with manufactures and pass the savings on to our patients. For more information, ring Passport Health at to be directed to your nearest Passport Health Travel Clinic or find a location near you.
Does My Insurance Cover Vaccines and Medicines for Foreign Travel?
While plans vary, many assurance providers do not cover travel vaccines under standard policies – even if administered by a family doctor. It is best to verify coverage with your provider. While Passport Health does not accept assurance, we do offer to submit a claim to your assurance provider at many of our clinics. In some case, a small fee for this service is applied. We also provide you with a chit that has all the information needed for you to submit your claim.
Do I Need Travel Vaccines Before Travelling Abroad?
Every itinerary is different, which is why we customize our consultations based on the countries you will be travelling to or through. We may recommend a yellow fever vaccination for some travellers, but not others. Generally, recommended travel vaccines include:
The combination of travel vaccines recommended depends on many factors, such as:
- Countries visiting or travelling through
- Length of stay
- Travel accommodations – hostel or five-star resort
- Time of year – rainy or dry season
- Elevation – sea level or above the tree line
- Immunisation and medical history
- Urban or rural travel
- Current outbreaks
- Countless other factors
Scheduling an appointment at one of our hundreds of travel clinics across the globe will connect you with a highly trained Travel Medicine Specialist who can tell you specifically the vaccines you should receive to stay healthy whilst travelling internationally.
Do My Kids Need Vaccines Before Travelling?
Yes, children also need travel vaccines. Common immunisations include: typhoid, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and rabies.
Passport Health provides these and other travel vaccinations and medication for children and young adults.
To ensure a high level of care, bring your child’s immunisation record to your appointment and a Travel Medicine Specialist will review it at the time of your consultation. Children under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present.
I Don’t Think I Need Any Immunizations for My Trip. Should I Still Make An Appointment?
No matter where you are travelling, you should know that you will be exposed to certain organisms that could make you severely ill. Passport Health has the most up-to-date travel health information. We are in direct contact with the NHS, CDC, World Health Organization (WHO), and world health surveillance sources who constantly monitor outbreaks and other health hazards. With Passport Health, you get the latest developments in travel medicine and first class customer service at each visit.
Do I Still Need Vaccines If I’m From the Country I’m Visiting?
Yes. People travelling to their home country after living abroad should visit one of our travel clinics because most antibodies or natural protection from disease is lost after leaving the country of origin for extended periods. Additionally, immunisation standards and schedules differ from those of the UK, making it imperative to receive the proper vaccinations before travelling abroad.
What Does A Vaccine (Immunisation) Do?
Immunisations work by tricking the body into believing it is experiencing a full-scale invasion by an infectious agent so that the immune system can fortify its defenses. During vaccination, a harmless pharmaceutical, bio-engineered product that cannot cause the actual disease is introduced to the body, and the immune system responds by producing antibodies to attack the intruder. Thereafter, a memory of this “invasion” remains so that the immune system can quickly recognize and neutralize disease-causing agents if they enter the body during your travels.
Still looking for answers? Ring up one of our helpful experts at or visit one of these helpful pages:
- Travel Medicine
- Vaccines For Travel
- Travel Health Consultation
- Passport Health Travel Clinic Locations
Which Vaccines Do I Need for India?
The NHS and WHO recommend travellers to India receive the following vaccines:
In-depth information on health considerations for people travelling to India are located on our India page. Or schedule an appointment and a highly skilled Travel Medicine Specialist will be able to recommend specifically what vaccines you need to travel to India.
Which Vaccines Do I Need for Africa?
While travelling to Africa offers peculiar adventure and cultural experiences, travellers need to prepare before visiting to ensure a healthy trip. The NHS and WHO recommend travellers to African countries receive the following vaccines:
Find more In-depth information on health considerations for people travelling to Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and other countries on our Destination Advice pages or schedule an appointment at one of travel clinics.
Which Vaccines Do I Need for Brazil?
While the Zika virus is present throughout Brazil and there is currently no vaccine for the disease, there are precautions you can take to protect your health. Mosquito nets and insect repellent sprays are recommended first lines of defense to keep yourself safe. But beyond Zika, the NHS and WHO recommend travellers to Brazil receive the following vaccines:
Learn more on what vaccines you need by visiting our Brazil page or ring up one of our experts at . Or schedule online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Is An Appointment Necessary to Visit a Passport Health Travel Clinic?
Yes, an appointment is necessary to allow enough time to provide a high level of care and to answer any and all of your questions.
What Should I Bring to My Travel Clinic Appointment?
Bring your medical history records, if you have them, including your International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV). If you do not have an ICV, one will be filled out properly and given to you at your appointment. There are no special preparations required before coming to an appointment.
How Can I Prepare for My Travel Clinic Appointment?
While generally there are no physical preparations required, arriving armed with as much detail about your travels will help our medical professionals ensure we provide the best possible care to protect your health whilst travelling.
It is important to be at least five to ten minutes early for your appointment. We also recommend that you complete the Patient Travel Health Information Form prior to an appointment via the online link that will be emailed to you.
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