Here’s How to Plan Ahead for Your Family's Travel Vaccinations

When planning an international trip, families often think about passports, flights, and sightseeing—but forget about one of the most important things: vaccinations. If you or your children aren’t up to date on routine or travel-specific vaccines, you could risk serious illness far from home.

With just a little planning, you can avoid unnecessary stress and protect your family from preventable diseases. Here’s how to make travel vaccinations part of your travel checklist.

Why Travel Vaccines Matter

Travel vaccines are essential for two main reasons:

1. Exposure to Diseases in New Regions

Different countries have different disease risks. Many illnesses that are rare in the U.S. may be more common elsewhere due to:

• Lower local vaccination rates
• Poorer sanitation or water quality
• Regional wildlife or insects that carry disease

While local residents often build natural resistance over time, your body won’t have the same defenses if you haven’t been vaccinated.

2. Lack of Natural Immunity

Because many diseases have been largely eliminated in the U.S., Americans are less likely to have natural immunity. That makes you—and especially your children—more vulnerable when traveling abroad.

When Should You Schedule Travel Vaccines?

Plan to meet with your healthcare provider at least one month before your trip. This allows time for:

• Reviewing your family’s vaccine history
• Getting any required boosters
• Receiving destination-specific guidance or prescriptions (such as malaria prevention)

Some vaccines require multiple doses over time, so the earlier you start, the better.

Vaccines Commonly Recommended for Travel

Depending on your travel destination, your provider may recommend vaccines such as:

• COVID-19
• Influenza (Flu)
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Cholera
• Rabies
• Polio
• Tetanus (TDAP)
• Shingles (for older adults)
• Meningococcal or Pneumococcal vaccines

You may need a vaccine you’ve never received or a booster to maintain protection. The CDC Traveler's Health website has up-to-date vaccine recommendations by country.

Don’t Touch Wildlife—Seriously

While it's tempting to get close to animals in new environments, you should never touch wild or stray animals while abroad.

• Many animals—especially monkeys, dogs, or bats—can carry rabies, parasites, or other infectious diseases.
• These illnesses may not exist or are rare in the U.S., so you may not be vaccinated against them.
• Even small bites or scratches can transmit serious viruses.

Remind children especially that unfamiliar animals—no matter how cute—should not be approached.

Keep Your Children’s Vaccines Up to Date

Before international travel, double-check that your kids are current on their routine vaccinations. These protect against highly contagious diseases like measles, which still circulates in many countries.

‍Read our blog on the Recommended Vaccination Schedule for Children →‍

Travel Smart with BASS Medical Group

Protecting your family’s health while traveling starts with proper preparation. At BASS Medical Group, our board-certified physicians can:

• Review your family’s vaccination history
• Recommend travel-specific vaccines or medication
• Offer guidance on how to stay safe abroad

Whether you’re traveling to a major city or a remote village, we’ll make sure your family is ready.

Ready to Travel? Let’s Make Sure You’re Protected

Schedule a visit with a BASS provider to plan your family’s vaccinations and travel health needs—so your vacation doesn’t come with a side of sickness.