Vaccines

Travel Vaccines: How to Get Vaccinated for Yellow Fever, Malaria, and More

Written by Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, CPh, PACS | Reviewed by Farzon A. Nahvi, MD

Updated on April 29, 2026

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Key takeaways:

Yellow fever, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), and hepatitis A are a few examples of vaccines you may need before traveling. The specific vaccine(s) you’ll need will depend on your destination.
Some travel vaccines, like the yellow fever vaccine, offer lifelong protection for most people. But others, like the typhoid vaccine, require boosters every few years.
Insurance covers most routine vaccines. But the cost of travel vaccines can vary by clinic and location. GoodRx can help make your travel vaccines more affordable.

Planning an international trip can be an exciting time for you and your family. Whether you’re traveling by plane or cruising to your destination, you’ll likely have a checklist of fun places to eat and visit. But staying healthy should also be at the top of your priority list.

Depending on where you’re traveling, you may need vaccinations — like a yellow fever vaccine — to protect you from certain illnesses. Being up to date with your vaccines can help you and your loved ones stay healthy on your trip.

What travel vaccines do I need?

The vaccine(s) you’ll need will depend on where you’re traveling. Make sure you’re current on both routine and travel vaccines before your trip.

Reach out to your primary care provider to see if you need any of these vaccines before your trip:

How do I choose the right travel vaccines?

You can search the CDC’s travel health page online to find out which vaccines you’ll need based on where you’re going. Your primary care provider can also help you make a travel vaccine checklist.

Here are some things to consider as you plan your next international adventure or business trip:

Which cities or countries are you visiting? If you’re traveling to rural or agricultural areas in Asia or the Western Pacific, then your primary care provider may recommend the JE vaccine (Ixiaro). JE is spread through infected mosquitos and may cause brain swelling.
Where are you staying (hotel, hostel, tent, cabin)? Vaccine recommendations may be different based on whether you’re staying in a hotel or spending more time outdoors.
How long are you staying there? The longer you stay in areas where certain diseases are more common, the higher your risk will be.
During which season(s) are you traveling? If you’re traveling to the “meningitis belt” of sub-Saharan Africa during the dry season (December to June), or performing Umrah or Hajj, your primary care provider may recommend the meningococcal vaccine (Menactra).
What type of foods do you plan to eat? Eating out often raises your chances of getting traveler’s diarrhea, as well as typhoid fever and hepatitis A.
What current health conditions do you have (if any)? If you have a weakened immune system, you may not be able to receive certain live vaccines. For example, some people with HIV may not be able to receive the oral typhoid vaccine (Vivotif).

Is a malaria vaccine available in the U.S.?

No, malaria vaccines aren't available in the U.S. Although most travel vaccines are available in the U.S., the malaria vaccine is an exception. Malaria is a disease that’s spread through infected mosquitos.

There are two malaria vaccines available in certain African countries where malaria is common. Over 20 countries in Africa offer malaria vaccines as part of childhood immunization schedules.

Do I need a yellow fever vaccine before traveling?

Some vaccines are required to enter certain countries. The most common is yellow fever, which is required for travel to and from certain areas in Africa and South America. After getting vaccinated, you'll receive an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis ("yellow card"), which many countries require for entry.

You can search for a clinic near you that has the yellow fever vaccine.

Where can I get travel vaccines?

You can get travel vaccines at a few different places, including your primary care provider’s office, the county public health department, or your local pharmacy.

If you have an appointment through a primary care provider or travel clinic, your visit can usually be billed through your insurance as a medical appointment. The cost for the visit and any vaccines or medications will differ based on your insurance.

You can also visit a travel-certified pharmacy as a one-stop shop. You’ll meet with a specially trained pharmacist for a one-on-one visit and receive all your vaccines and medications at one location.

How much do travel vaccines cost?

How much you’ll pay out of pocket for travel vaccines depends on your insurance status. Most insurance companies cover routine vaccines. But they may not cover some travel vaccines, like the yellow fever vaccine.

Here’s what you may expect to pay out of pocket for three common travel vaccines.

Vaccine	Cost
Yellow fever	$311
Oral typhoid	$149
MMR	$128

There are ways to save on travel vaccines. GoodRx can help you navigate your options, which may include GoodRx discounts or copay savings cards. You can find vaccination prices as low as $22 with a free GoodRx discount.

Do travel vaccines have side effects?

Even though you can’t get sick from travel vaccines, side effects are possible. The most common side effects of injectable vaccines are pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site. These are often mild and go away quickly.

Other common side effects include:

Tiredness
Headache
Muscle and joint aches
Mild fever
Chills

Serious side effects and reactions are rare. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare professional if you have any concerns about vaccine side effects.

How long before traveling should I think about travel vaccines?

It’s a good idea to start thinking about travel vaccines at least 1 month before you leave. But you may need more time if you haven’t had any routine vaccines in the past. It takes time for your body to build immunity once you’re vaccinated.

Here are a few examples of vaccines you should get in advance, before you travel:

Yellow fever: You’ll need to complete this vaccine 10 days before you travel for your yellow fever card to be valid. The vaccine provides lifelong protection against yellow fever for most people.
Typhoid vaccine (shot): You should receive this vaccine (Typhim Vi) at least 2 weeks before travel to allow your body time to build immunity. You’ll also need a booster every 2 years before traveling to an area where the typhoid vaccine is recommended.
Typhoid vaccine (oral capsule): Vivotif is an oral version of the typhoid vaccine. You’ll take it in four separate doses. You'll need to take the last dose at least 1 week before you travel. Boosters are needed every 5 years.
Hepatitis A vaccine: This vaccine (Havrix, Vaqta) comes as 2 injections, at least 6 months apart. If you don’t have time to get the second shot before traveling, you’ll still receive partial protection from the first shot.
MMR: MMR is a routine vaccine for kids, starting when they’re 12 months old. But adults and teens who haven’t been vaccinated can get 2 doses, at least 28 days apart. Babies can get their first dose early, if they’re traveling to a high-measles area, but that dose will need to be repeated later on.

Do I need malaria prevention medications before traveling?

Sometimes, depending on where you’re traveling, a healthcare professional may recommend certain medications to prevent malaria. Since there’s no malaria vaccine available in the U.S., these medications — along with mosquito repellents and bed nets — can help you stay safe.

Oral medications that help prevent malaria include:

Malarone (atovaquone / proguanil): You’ll start Malarone 1 to 2 days before traveling. You’ll continue taking it for 7 days after leaving your destination.
Doxycycline: To prevent malaria, you’ll start taking doxycycline 1 to 2 days before your trip. Then, you’ll keep taking it for 4 weeks after you leave the region with malaria.
Chloroquine: You can start chloroquine 1 to 2 weeks before travel and keep taking it for 4 weeks after you leave.

The bottom line

As you begin to plan your next international trip, make sure to add travel vaccines to your to-do list. Aim to start the process at least 1 month before you leave. Yellow fever, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), and typhoid are a few examples of vaccines you may need before traveling. If you have health insurance, you’ll likely be able to get most routine vaccines without out-of-pocket expenses. But not all plans cover travel vaccines.

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Written by:

Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, CPh, PACS

Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist in Florida. She has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 15 years and is currently a medical writer.

Edited by:

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN, is a California-based registered nurse and staff medical editor at GoodRx, where he focuses on clinical updates and Latino health.

Reviewed by:

Farzon A. Nahvi, MD

Farzon Nahvi, MD, is an emergency medicine physician and author of “Code Gray: Death, Life, and Uncertainty in the ER.” He works at Concord Hospital in Concord, New Hampshire, and teaches at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.

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References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Typhoid vaccine VIS.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Last-minute travelers.

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