As the holiday season gets closer, many families start making plans to visit relatives and friends around the world. If you’re traveling to another country with kids, it’s important to think about health and safety before your trip. This is especially true if you’re visiting places where some infections are more common.

One of the most important things parents can do before international travel is schedule a pre-travel visit with their child’s pediatrician. During this visit, you can talk about travel vaccines for kids and other ways to help keep your child healthy while they’re away from home.

When to schedule a pre-travel visit

It’s best to schedule this visit at least four to six weeks before your trip, but even a last-minute appointment can help. Your pediatrician will review your child’s regular vaccines, travel destination, travel plans, age, medical history and planned activities. This helps them decide whether your child may need any additional vaccines or preventive medications before traveling.

Travel vaccines your child may need

Children 6 months and older who are traveling internationally may need extra vaccine protection beyond their regular childhood immunizations. For example, in addition to seasonal vaccines for flu, COVID-19 and RSV, some infants ages 6 to 11 months who are traveling internationally may need an early dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. While this early dose provides protection during travel, it doesn’t replace the regular MMR doses given after their first birthday.

An early dose of hepatitis A vaccine may also be recommended for certain children ages 6 to 11 months traveling internationally. Like the early MMR dose, this travel dose doesn’t replace the routinely recommended hepatitis A vaccine series.

These recommendations are especially important because measles and hepatitis A are more common in some parts of the world. International travel can expose children to infections that may be less common in the United States.

Depending on where your family is traveling, your child may also need:

• Typhoid vaccine for travel to areas where typhoid fever is more common, particularly when traveling under conditions where food and water safety may be a concern
• Yellow fever vaccine for travel to certain countries where yellow fever transmission is present or where proof of vaccination is required for entry
• Rabies prevention for children who may have increased exposure to animals or who are traveling to places where medical care may be harder to access after an animal bite
• Malaria prevention, which may include prescription medication before, during and after travel, depending on the destination and the risk of malaria transmission

Vaccines and medications aren’t the same for every traveler. Recommendations depend on where you’re going, how long you’ll be there, the type of trip you’re taking and your child’s age. That’s why a pre-travel visit with your pediatrician can be such a helpful part of your travel plans.

More ways to keep kids healthy while traveling

Of course, travel vaccines are only one part of keeping kids healthy while traveling. Families should also think about food and water safety, insect bite prevention, sun protection, car and water safety and what medications or medical supplies to bring from home. If your child takes regular medication, make sure you have enough for the entire trip, plus some extra in case of travel delays. Keeping medications in their original labeled containers can also make international travel easier.

The holidays are a wonderful chance for children to spend time with family, experience new cultures and explore the world. Taking a few simple steps before your trip can help lower health risks and make travel safer and more enjoyable. If your family is traveling internationally for the holidays or any upcoming trip, contact your pediatrician as early as possible. Even if you leave in just a few weeks, there may still be important vaccines or preventive treatments your child can get before you go.

Safe travels and happy holidays from our family to yours!