Travel Health

The first destination on any itinerary should always be to a travel health clinic to provide prescriptions for the best available protection against any vaccine and medication preventable illness, as well as recommendations for preventive measures so you can remain healthy and focused on enjoying your journey.

Risk of travel-related illness varies according to destination and activities, while the choice of medications such as antimalarials and antibiotics can depend on the health status of the traveller.   Our travel health physicians, nurse practitioners and pharmacists are experienced travel health clinicians who are certified by the International Society of Travel Medicine, and can advise you on the most up-to-date guidelines for illnesses including the following:

• altitude sickness

• hepatitis A & B

• Japanese encephalitis

• malaria

• meningococcal disease

• traveller’s diarrhea

• typhoid fever

• rabies

• yellow fever

Booking your appointment at least 6 weeks in advance is ideal, as vaccines generally require time to elicit a full immune response, and some require multiple doses several weeks apart.   However, if you’re travelling at the last minute, receiving your first dose is still a good start, and we’re available for evening and weekend appointments to make it easier for you.

Just as importantly as travel vaccines, be sure to stay current on all of your public health funded vaccines available through your doctor, school, or if you don’t have a health card or doctor, through your local public health unit. Immunize Canada recommends the CANImmunize app to track your immunization record, which we’ll update for you with your travel vaccines, or if you prefer, you may choose to download their paper vaccination record. To learn more visit Immunize Canada, or check your province’s routine immunization schedule.