Summers are filled with incredible study abroad programs, vacations to different countries, and even volunteer-work around the world.  When planning your trip don’t forget to plan ahead for what immunizations you may need for visiting that country.  We sat down with our Ina Collins, nurse manager at Stamps Health Services (SHS), for tips on how best to prepare for traveling.  

Book your appointment with Stamps as soon as you can- A variety of immunizations may be needed before you travel, and different immunizations have different requirements. Some may require multiple doses over the span of multiple weeks.  Vaccines also have unique half-lives, and the immunities may not start working until a specific amount of time has passed. Other vaccines are taken orally right before you travel, so it is better to go early and get everything organized than waiting until the last minute and struggling to get an appointment!

Map out where you will be traveling- Different countries will require different vaccines, so mapping out where you will be traveling allows nurses to fully protect you from the various diseases you could be exposed to. Most students that come in travel to 4+ countries, many in different areas, so it is important to disclose everywhere you are traveling.

Bring an itinerary for each country- Depending on what you’re planning on doing in each country, you will need different immunizations. Taking a tour through the rainforest would expose you to different things than sitting in a conference room would.

Make sure to keep the printout provided- During the consultation, nurses will pull up a medical map of where you are traveling to and recommend certain vaccinations depending on the location. This printout includes information on contact numbers of nearby U.S. Embassies. This could be useful if you choose not to get immunization and then end up needing one!  There are typically clinics at the embassies that can help.

Be prepared for vaccine reactions- Some vaccinations may cause mild symptoms such as fatigue and a slight fever. Doctors recommend to take it easy for a few days, however, if these symptoms persist, you may be experiencing an allergic reaction and should come back to Stamps to consult with a doctor. Rashes are the most common allergic reaction, and these may prevent you from getting the next dose of certain vaccinations.

Be aware of the financial costs of immunizations- Depending on what immunizations recommended, there is a wide margin in the cost of the vaccines offered. Likewise, different immunizations could require multiple doses, which would be more expensive than a single dose. Although some may be more expensive, paying for the vaccine is much safer than risking a life-threatening illness.

If you are traveling outside of the country, make sure to book an appointment as soon as you can!  SHS staff will make sure you are safe and ready for your best summer yet!  You can find more information about booking your appointment and the immunizations available on at health.gatech.edu/travel.