Vaccines for travellers include those that are used routinely, particularly in children; others that may be recommended before travel; and those that in some situations are mandatory. Pretravel precautions should incude booster doses of routine vaccines if needed, or a full course of primary immunization for people who have never been vaccinated.
Other vaccines are advised based on a travel risk assessment for the individual traveller. In deciding which vaccines are appropriate, factors considered include:
- risk of exposure to the disease
- age, health, vaccination history
- special risk factors (length and type of travel)
- reactions to previous vaccine doses, allergies
- risk of infecting others
- costs
Mandatory vaccinations, as authorized by International Health regulations, only concerns yellow fever. Yellow fever vaccination is carried out for two different reasons: (1) to protect the individual in areas where there is a risk of yellow fever infection; and (2) to protect vulnerable countries from importation of the yellow fever virus.
Travellers should receive vaccine if they visit a country where there is a risk of exposure to yellow fever disease. They must be vaccinated if they visit a country that requires yellow fever vaccination as a condition of entry; this applies to all travellers who arrive from (including airport transit) a yellow fever endemic country. Yellow fever vaccine must be documented in an International Certificate of Vaccination record.
Try to arrange travel immunization at least 6 to 8 weeks before your trip and earlier for long term, high-risk travel.
Vaccines for children:
- Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio
- Hemophilus B influenza (Hib)
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) - 2 doses
- Chicken pox (varicella)
- Hepatitis B (given in grade 5)
- meningococcal
- pneumococcal
Vaccines for Adults:
- diphtheria, tetanus – every 10 years
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) for persons born 1970 or later - 2 doses
- flu for travel during November to March
Some vaccines may be legally required for entry into some countries. These vaccines must be documented in an International Certificate of Immunization.
The most commonly required vaccine is yellow fever. It is available only through federally designated travel clinics such as Travellers' Health Services. When immunization for yellow fever is contraindicated for medical reasons, a "letter of exemption" is given.
The recommendations for other vaccines depend on the degree of risk for each traveller.
Try to arrange travel immunization at least 6–8 weeks before your trip and earlier for long term, high-risk travel.
- Diphtheria
Diphtheria bacteria cause a severe infection of the throat. The disease can result in complete blockage of the windpipe and death. It is especially common in the colder months of the year. - Measles (Rubeola, Red Measles)
Measles is a very contagious disease that spreads in infected droplets of salive when people cough, sneeze, etc. Measles causes a rash, fever and flu-like symptoms. - Mumps
Mumps causes swelling of the salivary glands - the glands on the face that produce saliva. - Recommended Vaccines
Recommendated vaccines depend on specific travel risk factors. - Required Vaccines
Some vaccines may be legally required for entry into some countries. The most commonly required vaccine is yellow fever. - Rubella (German Measles)
Rubella usually causes a rash and a mild illness. However, if a pregnant women contracts rubella, it can cause severe problems in the unborn child. - Special Circumstances
Information about vaccines required under special circumstances (e.g. tuberculosis, cholera, and tick borne encephalitis) and not routine in Canada. - Tetanus (Lockjaw)
Information about Tetanus (Lockjaw) - Traveller's Diarrhea
Travellers' diarrhea is usually caused by germs (bacteria, parasites or viruses) which have contaminated your food, water or fingers. Even a change in the environment can cause mild diarrhea. - Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is a serious viral illness spread by day-biting mosquitoes. Yellow fever occurs only in sub-Saharan Africa, Panama, Trinidad and parts of South America not in any part of Asia.
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