What vaccinations do I need if I'm traveling to Brazil (Haiti, China, etc.)?

Can't I just go to my doctor for travel shots?

What can I expect?

I'm traveling to Africa and know that some vaccinations are required, but I am
concerned that the vaccines may cause illness.

When should I get my shots?

Does insurance cover this?

How do I arrange for an appointment?

Q: What vaccinations do I need if I'm traveling to Brazil (Haiti, China, etc.)?

A: The misconception in asking this question is that a traveler should worry about only the diseases that a host country fears from foreign visitors. No country requires a traveler to take prescription pills for protection against Malaria. Yet, without it, and without the additional protection of mosquito netting and repellants, travelers are likely to contract malaria. So the first question should be "what does the Centers of Disease Control say I should have for protection against disease in Brazil (Haiti, China, etc.).

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Q: Can't I just go to my doctor for travel shots?

A: Yes, but unless your doctor happens to specialize in travel medicine, he or she will;
♦Have to do extensive research to determine what you need
♦Probably not have the necessary documents to record your vaccines
♦Have to charge you far more due to small vaccine purchases

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Q: What can I expect?

A: You will be meeting with one of our Travel Nurse Consultants. They are all RN's and have taken extensive training on the nature of Travel Medicine. Vaccinations are only one component that will be covered. Equally important are letting you know of food and water safety, treatment for traveler's diarrhea, altitude sickness and more.

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Q: I'm traveling to Africa and know that some vaccinations are required, but I am
concerned that the vaccines may cause illness.

A: Unfortunately there is a lot of misinformation and anti-vaccine rhetoric perpetuated on the Internet and in the lay press. The public has little understanding of the vaccine development process. Prior to FDA approval, vaccines are put through controlled clinical trials and rigiors licensing procedures. FDA approved vaccines are safe and effective.

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Q: When should I get my shots?

A: The CDC recommends taking care of your Travel Medicine needs four to six weeks before traveling. You do need to know however, that some vaccines need to be taken more than once in order to provide the most immunity. Some vaccines are long lived and once taken you may not need to be repeated for quite some time.

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Q: Does insurance cover this?

A: We are commonly asked whether we accept health insurance for travel vaccinations. Most health insurance plans don't cover travel vaccines. The insurance companies' view is that you are electing to travel therefore it is elective medicine.

Because of this, Passport Health does not accept any medical insurance plans. We do however provide you with a receipt that has all the proper information and codes to be submitted to your insurance company.

This means that if your insurance company covers any of the travel vaccinations you received, they will reimburse you for them according to your health insurance policy.

Passport Health accepts American Express, Visa, Mastercard, personal checks and cash.

Large corporate accounts can be billed for our services.

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Q: How do I arrange for an appointment?

A: Contact our main office either by phone at 1-888-498-7277 or email us.

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