FAQs
Q: Why doesn't the clinic have a list that tells me what shots I need for my travel destination?
A: There is no such list. Determining your specific needs is much more complicated than it used to be due to the availability of so many vaccines and the nature of your own personal health history. Seeking individualized advice tailored to your specific itinerary and medical history is always a good idea.
Q: What vaccines are required for travel?
A: Yellow Fever vaccination is the only one that is still required by some countries. Remember, requirements are established to protect the country you are traveling to, not you. There are many different recommended vaccinations, depending on your itinerary, that are for your protection. Many of these general recommendations can be found at the Center for Disease Control website.
Q: How soon before my trip should I be seen?
A: 4–6 weeks before your trip, set up an appointment with a travel health professional. If it is less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still visit a specialist in travel medicine. It might not be too late to get your shots or medications and other information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling. We can help you up to the day you leave.
Q: Do I need other things besides vaccinations?
A: You may need Malaria prevention medication. There are also medicines available for effective treatment of traveler's diarrhea, altitude sickness and more. The most important item is good, reliable, up-to-date travel health information.
We also have an on-site, fully stocked travel store, saving you time and the expense of having to make an extra trip to pick up those few specialty items such as money belts, mosquito netting and insect repellent plus a selection of first aid kits for travelers.
Q: Will my health insurance cover travel health such as vaccinations?
A: In most cases, no. Many health insurers, including Medicare, believe that travel is by choice, and costs associated with travel medicine should be the responsibility of the individual. Some medications and immunizations may be covered under some circumstances. You will need to check with your insurance to determine if and what they cover. We will provide you with an itemized receipt that is suitable to submit for reimbursement from your insurance provider.
Q: Why are vaccinations so expensive?
A: Vaccines, like all other medicines and health care in general, have dramatically increased in cost in recent years. Many vaccines are made by only one company and are not under the pressure of competition to keep prices lower. But even with the higher cost, vaccines save a lot of lives and are a good investment in your health.
Q: What happens during my office visit?
A: A clinician will review your health history, vaccine history and recommended and required vaccines for your destination.
The clinician will provide you will a list of vaccinations recommended for your destination. You will then decide which vaccines you want to take.
In addition to vaccinations, the clinician will provide you with information regarding traveler’s diarrhea, general travel health tips, specific destination information, and malaria risk. He or she will also cover anything else to help you have a safe and healthy trip.
Finally, you will be given a prescription for any necessary needs including: Malaria prophylaxis, traveler’s diarrhea treatment, sleeping aids, altitude sickness medications, etc.
Q: Is there anything besides vaccinations that I need?
A: As a part of the consultation you will be advised whether you need malaria prevention medication and/or medication for traveler’s diarrhea. We will prescribe these medications if indicated. The most important need, however, is the best reliable, up-to-date health information on the part of the world where you will be traveling.
We also have an on-site, fully stocked travel store, saving you time and the expense of having to make an extra trip to pick up those few specialty items such as money belts, mosquito netting and insect repellent plus a selection of first aid kits for travelers.
Q: How far in advance should I get a travel health consultation?
A: One to two months is recommended as some vaccinations require a series of shots over a period of time. However there are vaccinations that have an almost immediate effect and are worthwhile receiving even if you are coming to the clinic last minute before your departure.
A: There is no such list. Determining your specific needs is much more complicated than it used to be due to the availability of so many vaccines and the nature of your own personal health history. Seeking individualized advice tailored to your specific itinerary and medical history is always a good idea.
Q: What vaccines are required for travel?
A: Yellow Fever vaccination is the only one that is still required by some countries. Remember, requirements are established to protect the country you are traveling to, not you. There are many different recommended vaccinations, depending on your itinerary, that are for your protection. Many of these general recommendations can be found at the Center for Disease Control website.
Q: How soon before my trip should I be seen?
A: 4–6 weeks before your trip, set up an appointment with a travel health professional. If it is less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still visit a specialist in travel medicine. It might not be too late to get your shots or medications and other information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling. We can help you up to the day you leave.
Q: Do I need other things besides vaccinations?
A: You may need Malaria prevention medication. There are also medicines available for effective treatment of traveler's diarrhea, altitude sickness and more. The most important item is good, reliable, up-to-date travel health information.
We also have an on-site, fully stocked travel store, saving you time and the expense of having to make an extra trip to pick up those few specialty items such as money belts, mosquito netting and insect repellent plus a selection of first aid kits for travelers.
Q: Will my health insurance cover travel health such as vaccinations?
A: In most cases, no. Many health insurers, including Medicare, believe that travel is by choice, and costs associated with travel medicine should be the responsibility of the individual. Some medications and immunizations may be covered under some circumstances. You will need to check with your insurance to determine if and what they cover. We will provide you with an itemized receipt that is suitable to submit for reimbursement from your insurance provider.
Q: Why are vaccinations so expensive?
A: Vaccines, like all other medicines and health care in general, have dramatically increased in cost in recent years. Many vaccines are made by only one company and are not under the pressure of competition to keep prices lower. But even with the higher cost, vaccines save a lot of lives and are a good investment in your health.
Q: What happens during my office visit?
A: A clinician will review your health history, vaccine history and recommended and required vaccines for your destination.
The clinician will provide you will a list of vaccinations recommended for your destination. You will then decide which vaccines you want to take.
In addition to vaccinations, the clinician will provide you with information regarding traveler’s diarrhea, general travel health tips, specific destination information, and malaria risk. He or she will also cover anything else to help you have a safe and healthy trip.
Finally, you will be given a prescription for any necessary needs including: Malaria prophylaxis, traveler’s diarrhea treatment, sleeping aids, altitude sickness medications, etc.
Q: Is there anything besides vaccinations that I need?
A: As a part of the consultation you will be advised whether you need malaria prevention medication and/or medication for traveler’s diarrhea. We will prescribe these medications if indicated. The most important need, however, is the best reliable, up-to-date health information on the part of the world where you will be traveling.
We also have an on-site, fully stocked travel store, saving you time and the expense of having to make an extra trip to pick up those few specialty items such as money belts, mosquito netting and insect repellent plus a selection of first aid kits for travelers.
Q: How far in advance should I get a travel health consultation?
A: One to two months is recommended as some vaccinations require a series of shots over a period of time. However there are vaccinations that have an almost immediate effect and are worthwhile receiving even if you are coming to the clinic last minute before your departure.
Make an appointment
We offer immunizations and in-depth travel consultations tailored to your specific destination and individual health needs.
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Our Clinic Travel Store
For your convenience, we carry a wide range of travel products onsite—so you can pick up last-minute and hard-to-find items that are a must for any trip abroad.
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Travel Health
Malaria causes 350-500 million infections worldwide and approximately 1 million deaths annually.
(Skarbinski J, Eliades MJ, Causer LM, Barber AM, Mali S, Nguyen-Dinh P, et al. Malaria surveillance—United States, 2004. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2006;55:23-37.)
