Vaccines for International Travel 

This section is intended to direct you to sources of information on vaccines recommended and/or required for travel outside the United States.

Planning on Attending the Summer Olympics? Check Your Shot Record for Measles!

• Preparing to travel internationally?  People of all ages need to be up-to-date on vaccinations, including when they are planning on traveling to any destination including the 2012 Summer Olympics and EURO 2012.
• Most of us don't think of Europe as a place where you can catch an infectious disease, but recently there has been a resurgence of measles in Europe.
• In 2011, more than 37,000 measles cases were reported from Europe, and some of the countries that have been hardest hit are places that Americans frequently travel, such as France, Italy, and Spain.
• It's very important for travelers heading to the Summer Olympics to make sure they are up to date on their immunizations and to make sure their children are, as well.
• Measles is continuing to occur throughout western Europe, including Great Britain.

• During 2011, 222 measles cases and 17 measles outbreaks were reported in the United States.  
• This is the most measles cases reported in this country since 1996, when 508 measles cases were reported.
• Most cases occurred in people who had not received measles vaccine and who traveled to countries where measles is common or countries with large measles outbreaks. 
• Seventy-six of the 222 cases were in people 20 years of age or older and 51 cases were in children 1 to 4 years of age.  
• Measles can be serious at any age although it is usually more severe in babies and adults.
• Measles can cause pneumonia, ear infection, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), seizures or convulsions, and death.

Contact a travel clinic or pharmacy on the following list to find out which vaccines you need: International Travel Clinics in Oklahoma (53k.pdf)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel Web Site (exit to CDC web site) also provides up-to-date and comprehensive information on immunization requirements and recommendations for international travelers.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health Immunization Service does not provide consultation regarding  vaccines recommended or required for travel outside the United States.

All Travelers 6 Months of Age and Older Should Be Protected from Measles 

• Infants 6 through 11 months of age should receive one dose of MMR vaccine before departure.
• All other children 12 months of age and older, teenagers, and adults born after 1957 should have a documented record of 2 doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days or other evidence of immunity to measles as listed below.

Evidence of Measles Immunity for International Travelers Consists of One of the Following: 

1. Birth before 1957, 
2. Documented administration of 2 doses of live measles virus vaccine (MMR, MMRV, or measles vaccines),
3. Laboratory (serologic) proof of immunity, or
4. Documentation of physician-diagnosed measles.

Contact a Clinic or Pharmacy for Travel Vaccines

• A list of clinics and pharmacies in Oklahoma that routinely provide vaccines for travelers follows: International Travel Clinics in Oklahoma (53k.pdf).  
• If you are traveling to a country which requires yellow fever vaccination before entry, you will need to visit one of the international travel clinics. These are the only locations in Oklahoma where travelers can obtain yellow fever vaccine.
• After receiving yellow fever vaccine, you will be issued an International Certificate of Vaccination. The certification of yellow fever vaccination becomes valid 10 days after vaccination and is then valid for 10 years. You must take the International Certificate of Vaccination with you in order to enter and exit countries requiring yellow fever vaccination.
• Other vaccines which are not required by international health regulations but which are strongly recommended for travel to certain countries are also available at the international travel clinics. Some of the  vaccines recommended for travel to other countries are also routinely recommended for children and adults living in the United States and these vaccines may be available from your regular doctor or clinic.

Vaccines Recommended for All Travelers Regardless of Destination: 

• Most vaccinations are not required under International Health Regulations, but are strongly recommended to protect the health of the traveler.
• Every traveler needs to be up-to-date according for their age with the routine childhood, adolescent, and adult vaccines.  
• The diseases these vaccines protect against are now rare or nonexistent in the United States, but they are still common in other areas of the world.
• The following schedules list the routine childhood, adolescent, and adult vaccines
  • Childhood Vaccination Schedule (CDC web site)
  • Adolescent Vaccination Schedule (CDC web site)
  • Adult Vaccination Schedule (CDC web site)