Vaccinations for safe travel: Timing is important – be prepared well in advance!

Planning a trip? Healthy travel is happy travel! And the time to start preparing is now! Because travel often involves time in shared space with many people, our immune defenses are especially important. Ideally, at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance, consult your healthcare provider and review your medical records for your vaccination history.

Start by ensuring that you and your family are up-to-date with vaccinations to protect against common and highly contagious airborne illnesses such as influenza and COVID-19. How about those routine immunizations? This is especially important for those not previously vaccinated, since health risks may be greater in other countries than in Canada.

Your age (e.g., being younger or older), medical conditions, where you are going, for how long, and the activities you have planned help determine the vaccinations you may need. Having a pre-travel medical consultation can help ensure you receive the vaccinations you need for a safe, smooth travel experience.¹

Measles vaccination has become a top priority with the resurgence of this highly contagious virus in North America, Europe and the UK. Since the most recent outbreak of measles in late 2024, Canadian infection rates have surpassed those in both the US and UK.² Older Canadians may have natural immunity to measles. Children and adults born in 1970 or after who are travelling outside Canada should receive the measles, mumps, and rubella/ varicella vaccine (MMR / MMRV) vaccination, unless they have been previously vaccinated.³

Older adults should be vaccinated against the highly contagious respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Vaccinations should occur just before or during the RSV season, from November to April. RSV symptoms are most severe in older adults, who may be at risk of hospitalization, or death. Three RSV vaccines have been approved for older adults, including single-dose RSVPreF3 recently authorized for adults age 50 to 59 at high risk of RSV disease.⁴

Another potential travel risk is mpox, which has long been common in Central and West Africa. However, since May 2022, the infection has occurred in several countries where it was not previously reported, including Canada. This vaccine recommendation is limited to travellers with known exposure to mpox, and those who meet the high risk criteria. Notably, the vaccine may be used before or after a high-risk exposure to mpox, or to a setting where transmission is happening.⁵

Those heading for tropical destinations, such as Mexico or the Caribbean, will want protection against Chikungunya; this mosquito-borne virus can have severe health consequences, especially for older adults, infants, and those who have a chronic health condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure.⁶ Similarly, depending on your destination, ask your vaccine provider about protection against Japanese Encephalitis (JE), Travelers' Diarrhea, yellow fever, and cholera. For those travelling to high-risk areas, a medication may be prescribed to reduce your risk of malaria.¹

Do you need to update any of these vaccinations?⁷

Chickenpox (Varicella)
Hepatitis A / Hepatitis B (individual or combined vaccines)
Human papilloma virus (HPV)
Meningococcal vaccine
Pneumococcal vaccination
Poliomyelitis
Tuberculosis
Rabies
Shingles (zoster) vaccination
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) (Td & Tdap)
Typhoid

Check out our travel vaccines brochure to make sure your family is fully protected before your trip. Whatever your reason for travel, planning well in advance and getting the vaccines you need is the only way to go!

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This information should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your doctor. There may be variations in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.