Vaccination Guide for Traveling the World

Traveling the world involves plenty of preparation, with one of the most important preparatory steps as scheduling your vaccinations. Vaccinations should be scheduled between four and six weeks prior to your departure date, with the vaccinations you need based on the countries you’re planning to visit.

The CDC lets you search for specific vaccination information for 245 different countries across the globe. Our vaccination guide provides an overview of the cost you can expect to pay for each vaccine, followed by recommended vaccinations for some of the most popular destinations within each continent.

Cost of Vaccinations

Since health insurance plans generally categorize vaccinations required for travel as elective procedures, they’re not apt to cover the cost. Vaccination costs typically include:

• Cost for a doctor or clinic consultation: $15 to $100
• Shot administration fee: $10 to $20
• Cost of the vaccine: $32 to more than $150 per dose

Cost of Routine Vaccinations

• Annual flu shot: $32 per dose
• Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR): $100 per dose
• Polio: $50 to $200 per dose
• Tetanus-diptheria-pertussis (Tdap): $64 per dose
• Varicella: $150 per dose, two doses required

Cost of Other Recommended Vaccinations

• Hepatitis A: $270 total
• Hepatitis B: $270 total
• Japanese encephalitis: $450 to $800 total
• Malaria, which requires oral medication rather than injections, $50 to $200
• Rabies: $500 to $1,000 total
• Typhoid: $85 to $300 total
• Yellow fever: $150 to $350 total

Routine Vaccinations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends ensuring your routine vaccinations are up to date before traveling to any destination. While numerous routine vaccinations for adults exist, the CDC mentions the following before embarking on any travel:

• Annual flu shot
• Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
• Polio vaccine
• Tetanus-diptheria-pertussis (Tdap) to protect against lockjaw, diphtheria and whooping cough
• Varicella to prevent against chicken pox

Vaccinations by Continent

In addition to the routine lineup of vaccinations that apply to any destination, you may need additional vaccinations based on the specific locations you intend to visit.  

Australia

Travelers to Australia want to update routine vaccinations, along with adding several others to their list.

• Hepatitis A: Even if a country has a low risk for the disease, outbreaks can spread through contaminated food and water.
• Hepatitis B: This disease can spread through sexual contact as well as contaminated needles and blood products.
• Japanese Encephalitis: Spread by infected mosquitoes, this disease is a higher risk for travelers expecting to spend extensive time outdoors, in remote locations or planning a prolonged stay in Australia and parts of Asia.
• Rabies: Rabies may be present in bats in Australia, and those planning adventure travel expeditions exploring caves or otherwise in close proximity to bats may benefit from the rabies vaccination.
• Yellow Fever: Certain countries, such as Australia, require proof of yellow fever vaccinations if the traveler is coming from a country with a risk of yellow fever. The U.S. is not an at-risk country for yellow fever, a disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

Africa

Algeria

The CDC recommends routine vaccinations and two others for most Algeria-bound travelers:

• Hepatitis A: Even if a country has a low risk for the disease, outbreaks can spread through contaminated food and water.
• Typhoid: Contaminated food and water can spread typhoid, with a higher risk for travelers staying in rural areas or with relatives and friends.

Some travelers may benefit from vaccinations for:

• Hepatitis B: This disease can spread through sexual contact as well as contaminated needles and blood products.
• Malaria: Malaria prevention involves medication to take before, during and after your trip to avoid contracting this mosquito-borne disease.
• Rabies: Rabies may be present in mammals in Algeria.
• Yellow Fever: Certain countries, such as Algeria, require proof of yellow fever vaccinations if the traveler is coming from a country with a risk of yellow fever. The U.S. is not an at-risk country for yellow fever, a disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

Morocco

Routine vaccinations are on your list for Morocco, along with two others the CDC recommends for most travelers:

• Hepatitis A: Even if a country has a low risk for the disease, outbreaks can spread through contaminated food and water.
• Typhoid: Contaminated food and water can spread typhoid, with a higher risk for travelers staying in rural areas or with relatives and friends.

Some travelers may also want to receive additional vaccinations.

• Hepatitis B: This disease can spread through sexual contact as well as contaminated needles and blood products.
• Rabies: Rabies may be present in dogs, bats and other mammals in Morocco.

Mozambique

In addition to routine vaccinations, the CDC recommends most travelers to Mozambique receive three other vaccinations:

• Hepatitis A: Even if a country has a low risk for the disease, outbreaks can spread through contaminated food and water.
• Malaria: Malaria prevention involves medication to take before, during and after your trip to avoid contracting this mosquito-borne disease.
• Typhoid: Contaminated food and water can spread typhoid, with a higher risk for travelers staying in rural areas or with relatives and friends.

Depending on individual circumstances, such as your age and length of stay, you may also want to receive three additional vaccinations.

• Hepatitis B: This disease can spread through sexual contact as well as contaminated needles and blood products.
• Rabies: Rabies may be present in bats and other mammals in Mozambique.
• Yellow Fever: Certain countries, such as Mozambique, require proof of yellow fever vaccinations if the traveler is coming from a country with a risk of yellow fever. The U.S. is not an at-risk country for yellow fever, a disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

Asia

China

Routine vaccinations and several others are recommended for most travelers to China.

• Hepatitis A: Even if a country has a low risk for the disease, outbreaks can spread through contaminated food and water.
• Typhoid: Contaminated food and water can spread typhoid, with a higher risk for travelers staying in rural areas or with relatives and friends.

Some travelers may want additional vaccinations to protect against additional diseases.

• Hepatitis B: This disease can spread through sexual contact as well as contaminated needles and blood products.
• Japanese Encephalitis: Spread by infected mosquitoes, this disease is a higher risk for travelers expecting to spend extensive time outdoors, in remote locations or planning a prolonged stay in parts of Asia and Australia.
• Malaria: Malaria prevention involves medication to take before, during and after your trip to avoid contracting this mosquito-borne disease.
• Rabies: Rabies may be present in mammals in the country.
• Yellow Fever: Certain countries, such as Algeria, require proof of yellow fever vaccinations if the traveler is coming from a country with a risk of yellow fever. The U.S. is not an at-risk country for yellow fever, a disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes.
• Polio appears on the routine vaccination list, but the CDC stresses the vaccine’s importance for visits to China that may put you in contact with anyone who has the disease.

Hong Kong

In addition to routine vaccinations, travelers to Hong Kong may want to consider vaccines for several other diseases.

• Hepatitis A: Even if a country has a low risk for the disease, outbreaks can spread through contaminated food and water.
• Typhoid: Contaminated food and water can spread typhoid, with a higher risk for travelers staying in rural areas or with relatives and friends.

Some travelers may want additional vaccinations.

• Hepatitis B: This disease can spread through sexual contact as well as contaminated needles and blood products.
• Rabies: Rabies may be present in mammals in the country.

Malaysia

If you’re heading to Malaysia, routine vaccinations and a number of others should be up to date.

• Hepatitis A: Even if a country has a low risk for the disease, outbreaks can spread through contaminated food and water.
• Typhoid: Contaminated food and water can spread typhoid, with a higher risk for travelers staying in rural areas or with relatives and friends.

Some travelers may want additional vaccinations.

• Hepatitis B: This disease can spread through sexual contact as well as contaminated needles and blood products.
• Japanese Encephalitis: Spread by infected mosquitoes, this disease is a higher risk for travelers expecting to spend extensive time outdoors, in remote locations or planning a prolonged stay in parts of Asia and Australia.
• Malaria: Malaria prevention involves medication to take before, during and after your trip to avoid contracting this mosquito-borne disease.
• Rabies: Mammals in Malaysia may have rabies.
• Yellow Fever: Certain countries, such as Malaysia, require proof of yellow fever vaccinations if the traveler is coming from a country with a risk of yellow fever. The U.S. is not an at-risk country for yellow fever, a disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

Thailand

Thailand visitors want to ensure all routine vaccinations are up to date and consider adding others to their list.

• Hepatitis A: Even if a country has a low risk for the disease, outbreaks can spread through contaminated food and water.
• Typhoid: Contaminated food and water can spread typhoid, with a higher risk for travelers staying in rural areas or with relatives and friends.

Some travelers may want additional vaccinations.

• Hepatitis B: This disease can spread through sexual contact as well as contaminated needles and blood products.
• Japanese Encephalitis: Spread by infected mosquitoes, this disease is a higher risk for travelers expecting to spend extensive time outdoors, in remote locations or planning a prolonged stay in parts of Asia and Australia.
• Malaria: Malaria prevention involves medication to take before, during and after your trip to avoid contracting this mosquito-borne disease.
• Rabies: Rabies may be found in a variety of mammals.
• Yellow Fever: Certain countries, such as Thailand, require proof of yellow fever vaccinations if the traveler is coming from a country with a risk of yellow fever. The U.S. is not an at-risk country for yellow fever, a disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

Europe

France, Spain, Italy, Greece

In addition to routine vaccinations, the same lineup of additional vaccinations is recommended for travelers to France, Spain, Italy and Greece.

• Hepatitis A: Even if a country has a low risk for the disease, outbreaks can spread through contaminated food and water.
• Hepatitis B: This disease can spread through sexual contact as well as contaminated needles and blood products.
• Rabies: Rabies may be present in bats and other mammals throughout Europe. The rabies vaccination may be recommended if you’re expecting to encounter wildlife.

Russia

Heading to Russia means updating your routine vaccinations, along with up to four others:

• Hepatitis A: Even if a country has a low risk for the disease, outbreaks can spread through contaminated food and water.

Some travelers may want additional vaccinations.

• Hepatitis B: This disease can spread through sexual contact as well as contaminated needles and blood products.

• Japanese Encephalitis: Spread by infected mosquitoes, this disease is a higher risk for travelers expecting to spend extensive time outdoors, in remote locations or planning a prolonged stay in parts of Asia and Australia.
• Rabies: Rabies may be found in a variety of mammals.

South America

Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela and Brazil

The CDC recommends routine vaccinations and several others if you’re visiting Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Brazil.

• Hepatitis A: Even if a country has a low risk for the disease, outbreaks can spread through contaminated food and water.
• Typhoid: Contaminated food and water can spread typhoid, with a higher risk for travelers staying in rural areas or with relatives and friends.

Some travelers may benefit from additional vaccinations.

• Hepatitis B: This disease can spread through sexual contact as well as contaminated needles and blood products.
• Malaria: Malaria prevention involves medication to take before, during and after your trip to avoid contracting this mosquito-borne disease.
• Rabies: Rabies may be present in mammals in Algeria.
• Yellow Fever: This mosquito-borne disease is a risk in certain parts of South America, such as areas in Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela and Chile. The vaccination is recommended for travelers aged 9 months and older.

Chile

Chile-bound travelers should receive routine vaccination updates along with vaccinations for several others.

• Hepatitis A: Even if a country has a low risk for the disease, outbreaks can spread through contaminated food and water.
• Typhoid: Contaminated food and water can spread typhoid, with a higher risk for travelers staying in rural areas or with relatives and friends.

Some travelers may benefit from additional vaccinations.

• Hepatitis B: This disease can spread through sexual contact as well as contaminated needles and blood products.
• Rabies: Rabies may be present in mammals in Chile.

North America

Canada

The CDC recommends travelers heading to Canada receive routine vaccinations and up to three others.

• Hepatitis A: Even if a country has a low risk for the disease, outbreaks can spread through contaminated food and water.

Some travelers may benefit from additional vaccinations.

• Hepatitis B: This disease can spread through sexual contact as well as contaminated needles and blood products.
• Rabies: Travelers expecting to spend extended time around wildlife may want to invest in the rabies vaccine.

Mexico

Mexico requires the lineup of routine vaccinations, along with up to five others.

• Hepatitis A: Even if a country has a low risk for the disease, outbreaks can spread through contaminated food and water.
• Typhoid: Contaminated food and water can spread typhoid, with a higher risk for travelers staying in rural areas or with relatives and friends.

Some travelers may benefit from additional vaccinations.

• Hepatitis B: This disease can spread through sexual contact as well as contaminated needles and blood products.
• Malaria: Malaria prevention involves medication to take before, during and after your trip to avoid contracting this mosquito-borne disease.
• Rabies: Bats, dogs and other mammals in Mexico may be infected with rabies, against which children, those working with wildlife and adventure travelers should protect themselves.

The Bahamas, Costa Rica, Jamaica

Travelers to the Bahamas, Costa Rica and Jamaica want to make sure their routine vaccinations are up to date, along with several others.

• Hepatitis A: Even if a country has a low risk for the disease, outbreaks can spread through contaminated food and water.
• Typhoid: Contaminated food and water can spread typhoid, with a higher risk for travelers staying in rural areas or with relatives and friends.

Based on your exact location and length of stay, you may also want to protect yourself with a few additional vaccines.

• Hepatitis B: This disease can spread through sexual contact as well as contaminated needles and blood products.
• Rabies: If you’re planning adventure travel that puts you in contact with wildlife, a rabies vaccination may be in order.
• Yellow Fever: Certain countries, such as the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Jamaica, require proof of yellow fever vaccinations if the traveler is coming from a country with a risk of yellow fever. The U.S. is not an at-risk country for yellow fever, a disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

Our vaccination guide serves only as a general reference to use prior to travel. Your doctor or clinic can provide further recommendations and insights on how to protect yourself from additional risks when traveling to various countries around the world.

Headed to any of the above countries? Get an exbidited passport or visa for your travels. And stay safe!