Travel Clinic Frequently Asked Questions

• Comprehensive and individualized assessment of the traveler's itinerary and health history.
• Travel immunizations and prophylaxis, including Hepatitis A , Polio and Yellow Fever (we are an official Yellow Fever vaccine center).
• Information about travel illnesses, including traveler's diarrhea and altitude illness.
• Special considerations for pregnant and immunocompromised travelers.
• Expert counseling regarding food and water safety.
• Post-travel medical consultation in conjunction with our Infectious Diseases Clinic, for the returning traveler with fever or other travel-related symptoms.

The Travel Clinic only sees adults over the age of 18. Self-pay and insurance carriers are welcome. Appropriate referrals from primary care providers and authorization should be obtained before the actual appointment.

Not all services may be covered by insurance carriers and may be the responsibility of the traveler.

The traveler's visit begins with a careful evaluation of their itinerary and medical history. Vaccines are administered and information on water and food safety is provided.

The visit to the Travel Clinic should optimally occur at least four weeks prior to departure. When traveling for the purpose of re-location or for more than six months, visit the Travel Clinic approximately six months before your trip as some vaccines require boosters.

To make an appointment, call 617-632-7706. If possible, appointments should be made at least one month prior to the date of departure.

Deciphering what travel information and immunizations you will need depends many factors including your destination, medical and immunization history, urban or rural location of stay and length of stay. It is difficult to make these assessments over the phone, which makes it necessary to schedule an appointment to come in for a personal consultation. This prevents any errors in medicine prescription and ensures that you have an enjoyable trip abroad. Booking an appointment at 617-632-7706 is very easy.

If you are ill when you return or develop a fever within 6 months of your trip, please call the Infectious Disease department at 617-632-7706 to schedule an appointment to see an Infectious Disease doctor or call your primary care physician.

Yes. This is because once you leave your home country your immunity to local diseases, malaria for example, diminishes within 4-6 weeks. You will need to be immunized like everybody else. Also, new vaccines are always being made so you might need to receive new vaccines to gain full immunity.