Planning an international trip is exciting. There are itineraries to build, luggage to pack, passports to check, and if you’re a pharmacist or pharmacy technician, maybe even a few travel health consults to squeeze in. But before you (or your patients) leave, there’s a critical question that often gets overlooked:
Are you protected against the diseases at your destination?
Vaccinations may not be the most glamorous part of international travel, but they’re one of the most important. Understanding which vaccines are needed, and why, is vital not just for personal safety, but for public health. So, let’s unpack it, pharmacy-style.
The Basics: Routine Vaccinations
Before diving into exotic-sounding illnesses, we can’t ignore the essentials. Some vaccines are considered “routine,” but that doesn’t mean they’re any less important when traveling. In fact, most international travel authorities recommend ensuring these are up to date before boarding any plane:
- Diphtheria
- Hepatitis B
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Influenza
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
- Pneumococcal Disease
- Polio
- Rotavirus
- Tetanus
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
Why? Because diseases that are rare in the U.S. may still be common in other parts of the world. Travel increases exposure risk, and in crowded airports, shared hotel rooms, and local markets, it only takes one unvaccinated person to cause an outbreak.
Destination-Specific Vaccines
Depending on where you’re headed, you might need additional vaccines that aren’t part of the routine U.S. schedule.
These vaccines are typically only recommended if you’re traveling to areas where certain diseases are endemic, meaning they’re regularly found in the local population.
Common examples include:
- Cholera
- Hepatitis E
- Japanese Encephalitis
- Meningococcal Disease
- Rabies
- Tick-Borne Encephalitis
- Typhoid Fever
- Yellow Fever
These aren’t just theoretical risks. In some cases, like yellow fever, you can’t even enter certain countries without proof of vaccination. For instance, many countries in Africa and South America require a Yellow Card, an official certificate documenting yellow fever immunization, as a condition of entry.
Where can you find this information?
Go online and enter the “CDC Yellow Book.”
Formally known as the CDC Health Information for International Travel, the Yellow Book is published every two years and offers country-specific health recommendations for travelers and healthcare professionals alike.
Let’s say a patient walks up to your counter and says, “I’m going to Thailand next month. Is there anything I need to do in order to prepare and be protected?” With the Yellow Book (or its online version), you can quickly look up Thailand and find detailed info on:
- Required and recommended vaccines
- Malaria precautions
- Water safety
- Regional disease outbreaks
- General travel health tips
It’s comprehensive, free online, and regularly updated. It’s also one of the most underused tools in pharmacy practice.
Pharmacy Pearls
No matter the area of pharmacy that you practice in, here is how you can integrate travel health:
- Be proactive – Always ask patients about travel plans.
- Schedule appropriately – Plan early so proper protection occurs.
- Educate, don’t assume – Never assume travelers know everything.
- Use the yellow book – Bookmark this tool to utilize in practice.
Final Thoughts
Whether your patient is heading to Southeast Asia for a backpacking trip, West Africa for a mission project, or Europe for a honeymoon, your guidance can protect them, and the communities they visit, from preventable diseases.
So, the next time someone asks, “Do I need shots before my trip?” you can confidently answer: “Let’s find out together.”
Safe travels and stay immunized!
References
- Travelers’ Health | CDC. Cdc.gov. Published 2018. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
- Yellow Book. Yellow Book. Published April 23, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/index.html
- Ponce C, Dolea C. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Travel and Health: New collaborative, evidence-based and digital directions. Travel Med Infect Dis. 2019;27:1. doi:10.1016/j.tmaid.2019.01.012
