Travel Service

Attention International Travelers: There is a national shortage of yellow fever vaccine, an immunization required for travel to many areas of Africa and tropical South America. Travelers to South American and Africa should make their appointments for a travel consult and yellow fever immunization well in advance of departure, as adequate supply of vaccine may not always be available. The travel shot must be scheduled through our Immunization & Travel Clinic. It is not available on a walk-in basis. You will need an order for this shot from a healthcare provider.

The Travel Service at McKinley Health Center provides information from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) as well as immunizations and travel consultations for international travelers. The service is available to students, faculty/staff and spouses of faculty/staff.

The Travel Service goal is to promote safe, health travel through education and administration of preventive vaccines and medications.

Please read the following information first. Call the West 2 Clinic if you have questions at 333-2715.

Pre-travel checklist:

START EARLY...preferably three months before your travel to prepare for your trip. Use the following checklist:

Have an eye exam if you wear contact lens or glasses.
Before you leave, have a dental exam and teeth cleaned.
Medic-Alert bracelets are recommended if you have a drug allergy or chronic condition that may present a medical emergency.
Check your health insurance for coverage during travel - Important to have both medical evacuation insurance and health insurance. Having to be evacuated for illness or injury is very costly!
PLAN ITINERARY CAREFULLY - STUDY CDC RECOMMENDATIONS http://www.cdc.gov prior to having travel consultation.
Plan a travel consultation 6-8 weeks prior to travel especially for Asia, Africa, Central and South America.

Plan to take:

Copies of prescriptions for contact lens or glasses.
Copies of identification - passport, birth certificate, credit card number in case of loss.
Travel letter stating need for medications - available from the McKinley Health Center nurse or from your provider.
Health Insurance forms (you may need them).

Medical Supplies:

Prescription medication in original containers.
Birth control pills or other methods of contraception - enough for entire stay.
Safer sex supplies - condoms, lubricants.
Take medication for yeast infection if a woman with a history of recurrent vaginitis.
Over-the-counter medications: Such as pain relievers/fever control-ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) - anything used on a routine basis.
Personal items: contact lens solutions; toothpaste; deodorant; sunscreen; tampons; bandages; shampoo

Travel Web Addresses:

CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC)
Information included in the CDC site: Geographic health recommendations. Disease transmitted by insects, food, water and people.

SHORELAND'S TRAVEL HEALTH ONLINE
Provides information about 220 countries in four main categories:
country profiles (climate & topography, travel health concerns,
preventive medications & vaccines, travel illness updates.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Provides travel warning/consular information sheets, travel publications, passport information.

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO TRAVELERS (IAMAT)
can order booklet listing English-speaking physicians world-wide.

Travel Service

Immunizations recommended based on planned activities and places visited.
There is a charge for travel vaccines and medication.

VACCINES AVAILABLE:

Hepatitis A	Varicella (Chicken Pox)
Meningitis	Hepatitis B
Polio	Tetanus/Diphtheria
Typhoid	Influenza
Yellow Fever

WHO Vaccination Booklet listing travel vaccines.
Prescriptions to prevent malaria and treat traveler's diarrhea.
Travel letter listing medications and medical equipment will be provided upon request. Contact airline for any new rules about medication and medical equipment.

Travel Consultations

Plan travel consultation 6-8 weeks before trip. Questions? Call 333-2715.
Travel consultations are by appointment only. Call 333-2715 to make an appointment.
Become familiar with CDC travel recommendations http://www.cdc.gov
Allow approximately one hour for the initial visit to discuss travel. Download and bring the completed travel consultation form.
Bring any records of vaccines already received.
Usually two different vaccines can be given per visit.
Payment for vaccines and medications can be made at the McKinley Business Office or students can charge their accounts.

Also see:

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - International Programs and Studies - international travel page at: http://www.ips.uiuc.edu/travel/travelinfo.shtml

<< back to immunization and travel