When traveling abroad, you may be exposed to illnesses not commonly found in the United States. Vaccines are a key part of travel preparation, helping protect both you and the communities you visit.
Need travel vaccines? What You Should Know.
When you travel outside your home region, you may be exposed to illnesses that are uncommon in the U.S. or in Iowa. Being vaccinated in advance helps reduce your risk of catching or spreading disease while abroad. The right vaccines depend on where you’re going, your health history, and the activities you plan.
At Iowa Immunizes, we encourage travelers to start planning early to make sure every trip is a healthy one. Talk with your healthcare provider well before your trip to make sure you are protected.
How To Prepare
It’s best to start preparing for your trip early by visiting a healthcare provider at least four to six weeks before you leave. This allows enough time for vaccines to take effect and for any multi-dose series to be completed. Bring a copy of your vaccination record (either printed or digital) so your provider can easily review which immunizations you may still need.
Be sure to share details about your travel plans, including your destinations, trip length, accommodations, and planned activities such as rural travel, outdoor stays, or animal contact. Also mention any health conditions like pregnancy, chronic illness, or allergies. Some countries require proof of specific vaccinations, such as yellow fever, before allowing entry, so your provider or a travel clinic can help determine what’s necessary.
If your travels include higher-risk areas, extended stays, or unique medical considerations, scheduling an appointment with a travel medicine specialist may be beneficial.
Destination-Specific and Travel-Only Vaccines
For certain international destinations, additional vaccinations may be recommended or required depending on your itinerary, regional disease risk, and activities. Some examples include:
- Yellow fever: required by some countries and must be administered at an authorized clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Typhoid: for travel to areas with risk from contaminated food or water.
- Japanese encephalitis: for travel in parts of Asia or the western Pacific, especially if staying long or spending time outdoors.
- Meningococcal disease: may be required for travel, for example for the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
Because disease risks and recommendations vary by country and region, check destination-specific guidance and consult with your provider to decide exactly which additional vaccines you should consider.
What to Keep in Mind
Even after being vaccinated, practice prevention: avoid unsafe food and water, use insect repellent or bed nets if in mosquito-or-tick habitat, maintain good hygiene, and seek medical care if you feel unwell during or after your trip.
Keep your vaccination record with you, and plan for booster doses if recommended. Some vaccines may require follow-up shots at intervals.
If you fall ill while traveling or soon after returning, make sure to tell the provider your travel history and your immunization status. It may affect diagnosis and treatment.
The following links direct you to an external site. As with all vaccinations, we encourage you to discuss with your healthcare provider which vaccines are right for you.
Principal Resources
Search for recommendations related to specific destinations, including vaccinations, malaria prophylaxis, and prevention of foodborne and vector-borne diseases.
- CDC Travel Health Notices
See a list of all active travel health notices for all destinations - CDC Find a Clinic
Search for public health and private clinics that administer travel vaccines. This list is not comprehensive. - CDC Yellow Fever Vaccination Clinics
Locate facilities in each state authorized to administer yellow fever vaccine. Facilities listed also typically offer other travel vaccinations.
The key resource for healthcare professionals providing care to international travelers. It compiles the US government’s most current travel health guidelines, including pretravel vaccine recommendations, destination-specific health advice, and easy-to-reference maps, tables, and charts.
- CDC Yellow Book Resources
This page connects to a wide range of travel resources for clinicians in the following categories:- Contact information for clinicians needing CDC assistance with the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of travel-related diseases
- Yellow Book maps
- Travel medicine resources
- Travel-associated diseases
- Travel vaccines and medicines
- Pre- and post-travel evaluation resources
- Yellow Fever Vaccine & Malaria Prevention Information, by Country
Country-specific information on yellow fever vaccine requirements and recommendations, and malaria transmission information and prevention recommendations. Country-specific maps are included here. - Vaccination & Immunoprophylaxis – General Principles
Specific considerations for immunization of travelers - Immunocompromised travelers
Specific considerations for immunocompromised travelers - Pregnant travelers
Specific considerations for traveling while pregnant
Non-Governmental Resources
This site provides WHO recommendations and considerations for travel vaccination, including some vaccines not licensed or recommended in the United States.
This global professional membership society offers training and certification, in addition to health information for travelers.
- Global Travel Clinic Directory
Search for travel medicine clinics in the United States and around the world. - Education & Resources
Access ISTM resources open to healthcare professionals who want to learn more about travel medicine
This professional membership society offers training and resources for healthcare professionals.
- Education & Resources
Access ASTM resources for healthcare professionals
Disease Directory
Chikungunya virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. The most common symptoms of this acute illness are fever and joint pain. Some travelers at higher risk of exposure to chikungunya virus or at increased risk of severe disease should consider vaccination.
Cholera is caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria and is spread by contaminated food or water. It causes severe watery diarrhea. Vaccination is recommended for certain travelers at risk of exposure in areas of active cholera transmission.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which typically spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets and small particles. It occurs worldwide. Vaccination is routinely recommended in the United States. Travelers should be up to date on COVID-19 vaccination.
Dengue viruses are spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Dengue is an acute febrile illness that can have serious complications. Dengue occurs in many tropical and subtropical regions. A vaccine is licensed, but vaccination is not recommended by CDC for travelers.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection of the skin or respiratory tract spread through respiratory droplets or contact with infected wounds. The disease exists in regions where diphtheria-containing vaccines are not used or where few people get vaccinated. Vaccination is routinely recommended in the United States. Travelers who are not up to date can become infected.
Hepatitis A (HepA)
Hepatitis A virus causes acute liver disease. Hepatitis A virus is typically spread through the fecal-oral route, including through contaminated food or water. It is common in many parts of the world. Vaccination of U.S. children is routinely recommended. Unvaccinated travelers should be vaccinated before travel to areas where hepatitis A is common.
Hepatitis B (HepB)
Hepatitis B virus can cause acute and chronic liver disease, including cancer. The virus is found in the blood and body fluids of infected people. Hepatitis B is found worldwide. CDC recommends vaccination of all people through age 59 years. Unvaccinated travelers should be vaccinated before travel to areas where hepatitis B is common.
Influenza (IIV, RIV, LAIV)
Influenza is an acute respiratory viral disease that causes seasonal epidemics during winter months. It occurs worldwide. Annual seasonal vaccination is routinely recommended. Travelers who have not had a current seasonal vaccine should get one before travel.
Japanese Encephalitis (JE)
JE virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito in some parts of Asia and the Western Pacific. Infection may lead to severe disease and death. The risk to most travelers is very low, but vaccine may be recommended for certain travelers based on their destination, itinerary, and duration of travel.
Measles (MMR)
Measles virus is highly contagious, spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It causes an acute febrile rash illness that can be severe. Vaccination is routinely recommended in the United States. Most U.S. measles cases occur among unvaccinated travelers who get infected while traveling internationally and their contacts who are not fully vaccinated.
Meningococcal Disease (MenACWY)
Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness spread through close contact with an infected person. It occurs worldwide, but vaccination is recommended for travelers to some parts of the world, such as the “meningitis belt” of Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as travelers to the Hajj or Umrah in Saudi Arabia.
Mpox
Mpox is caused by the mpox virus and is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact. It was primarily found in central and west Africa, but a global outbreak began in 2022, and it now circulates in many places where it was not previously present. CDC recommends vaccination of people based on behavioral risk factors, not specific destinations.
Mumps (MMR)
Mumps virus infection is spread by contact with infectious saliva or respiratory droplets. It often causes salivary gland swelling and is common in many parts of the world. Vaccination is routinely recommended in the United States. Unvaccinated travelers are at risk.
Pertussis (DTaP, Tdap)
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory disease that can cause fits of uncontrollable coughing. It is present worldwide. Vaccination is routinely recommended in the United States. Travelers should be up to date.
Pneumococcal Disease (PCV, PPSV)
Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection that occurs worldwide. Vaccination of children, people with certain health conditions, and older adults is routinely recommended in the United States. Travelers should be up to date.
Polio (IPV)
Polio is a viral infection that affects the nervous system and is spread by fecal-oral transmission. Vaccination is routinely recommended in the United States. All travelers who are not up to date with polio vaccines are at risk. Adult travelers to a polio-affected country who have been previously vaccinated may need a one-time booster.
Rabies
Rabies is a deadly viral neurologic disease. Although any mammal can transmit rabies, dog bites are how most travelers get rabies. Vaccination is recommended for certain travelers based on their destination, activities, and duration of travel.
Rubella (MMR)
Rubella is a viral rash illness that can cause birth defects in infants whose mothers are infected during pregnancy. It has been eliminated through vaccination in South and North America. Vaccination is routinely recommended in the United States. Unvaccinated travelers going to areas with rubella can get infected.
Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE)
TBE is a serious viral disease transmitted primarily by the bite of infected ticks in parts of Asia and Europe. Vaccination is recommended for certain travelers whose destination and activities put them at risk.
Tetanus (DTaP, Td, Tdap)
Tetanus is a disease that causes severe muscle spasms (“lockjaw”) caused by bacteria typically found in soil. It is present worldwide and any unvaccinated person can get it. Vaccination is routinely recommended in the United States. Travelers should be up to date on tetanus vaccination.
Typhoid
Typhoid fever is caused by a bacteria spread where water and food may be unsafe and sanitation is poor. Vaccination is recommended for certain travelers based on their destination and itinerary.
Yellow Fever (YFV)
Yellow fever virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito and causes a serious acute illness. It is found in certain parts of South America and Africa. Travelers to areas where yellow fever occurs may be recommended or required to be vaccinated.