by Angela V Are you traveling abroad with your family soon? International travel to developing countries and rural areas may put you at higher risk of exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases that may be common in other parts of the world.
We are going to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic in a few weeks and we recently visited a local Travel Clinic to speak with a doctor and get the recommended vaccines for everyone in our family, all personalized to our destination.
If you are planning to travel internationally with your family then be sure to plan ahead and visit your family doctor or your local Travel Clinic to chat about your travel destination, your vaccination history and the recommended vaccines you should get to lower your chances of getting or spreading certain diseases. Make sure you book an appointment at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip, to ensure your body builds up immunity after getting the vaccines and before exposure.
The Canadian Government has a great website where you can find up to date information on which vaccines are recommended for specific destinations as well. You can just enter your destination on the box and find a list of their recommendations, super handy!
Getting all of your vaccinations before your trip is highly recommended but the best way to protect yourself and your family against disease is by using common sense and being careful with what you eat or drink at your destination, following water safety tips, using bug repellent and washing your hands often with soap and water. These easy little tips will help keep you stay healthy and safe while you enjoy your family holidays.
Are you thinking about traveling abroad soon? Where are you going? Any exotic destinations? Share below!
17 Comments on “International Family Travel: Get Your Vaccines Before You Go!”
too many folks are too excited and in a rush to “just get there” that they don’t consider vaccines…..
Great tips! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you for reminding people to stay up on vaccines. Traveling to other countries can expose us to more diseases. Be careful not to drink the water, not even brush your teeth using tap water – use bottled water.
We always check to see if the area we are visiting requires any vaccinations. One time we needed a three month head start before leaving!
I have no immediate travel plans to anywhere tropical, but someday! I hear of people coming back sick and it’s very scary! Immunizations are a must!
Great tips! It’s important to get vaccines before traveling internationally.
This is great to know, honestly I wouldn’t even think about this while planning my vacation, but it’s a big must!!
We travel all the time and the government website is a great tool! 🙂
Thank you especially for the Canadian website link! Such a great resource!!
I just realised I need to get my twinrix shot (1 of 2)
Getting vaccines before traveling are a must nowadays.
In the past I never even thought about getting vaccinated but I only went to Caribbean islands and Hawaii so I didn’t really think it was necessary but I guess better safe than sorry.
Important information to use before you travel.
so important to keep them up to date. I remember I wanted to do a vaccine before traveling but it required 2 shots and they had to be 4 months apart. Keep this in mind for last minute travel. Thanks for the information as always you write about such great topics.
I’ve never traveled to a place where I need special vaccinations, but that could change and will for sure check quite a bit ahead of our travel plans.
Always good to remember this before traveling Internationally
Next weekend, my family and I are going to Washington, DC. We decided to organize a family trip there, so we rented a car here more details and plan to drive around the neighborhood and see interesting places and sights and just have fun together