U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Vaccines for Travelers

Vaccines protect travelers from serious diseases. Depending on where you travel, you may come into contact with diseases that are rare in the United States, like yellow fever. Some vaccines may also be required for you to travel to certain places.

Getting vaccinated will help keep you safe and healthy while you’re traveling. It will also help make sure that you don’t bring any serious diseases home to your family, friends, and community.

On this page, you'll find answers to common questions about vaccines for travelers.

Which vaccines do I need before traveling?

The vaccines you need to get before traveling will depend on few things, including:

  • Where you plan to travel . Some countries require proof of vaccination for certain diseases, like yellow fever or polio. And traveling in developing countries and rural areas may bring you into contact with more diseases, which means you might need more vaccines before you visit.
  • Your health . If you’re pregnant or have an ongoing illness or weakened immune system, you may need additional vaccines.
  • The vaccinations you’ve already had . It’s important to be up to date on your routine vaccinations. While diseases like measles are rare in the United States, they are more common in other countries. Learn more about routine vaccines for specific age groups .

How far in advance should I get vaccinated before traveling?

It’s important to get vaccinated at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel. This will give the vaccines time to start working, so you’re protected while you’re traveling. It will also usually make sure there’s enough time for you to get vaccines that require more than 1 dose.

Where can I go to get travel vaccines?

Start by finding a:

  • Travel clinic
  • Health department
  • Yellow fever vaccination clinic

Learn more about where you can get vaccines .

What resources can I use to prepare for my trip?

Here are some resources that may come in handy as you’re planning your trip:

  • Visit CDC’s travel website to find out which vaccines you may need based on where you plan to travel, what you’ll be doing, and any health conditions you have.
  • Download CDC's TravWell app to get recommended vaccines, a checklist to help prepare for travel, and a personalized packing list. You can also use it to store travel documents and keep a record of your medicines and vaccinations.
  • Read the current travel notices to learn about any new disease outbreaks in or vaccine recommendations for the areas where you plan to travel.
  • Visit the State Department’s website to learn about vaccinations, insurance, and medical emergencies while traveling.

Traveling with a child? Make sure they get the measles vaccine.

Measles is still common in some countries. Getting your child vaccinated will protect them from getting measles — and from bringing it back to the United States where it can spread to others. Learn more about the measles vaccine.

Find out which vaccines you need

CDC’s Adult Vaccine Quiz helps you create a list of vaccines you may need based on your age, health conditions, and more.

Take the quiz now !

Get Immunized

Getting immunized is easy. Vaccines and preventive antibodies are available at the doctor’s office or pharmacies — and are usually covered by insurance.

Find out how to get protected .

Advertisement

Supported by

What to Know About Testing and Vaccine Requirements for Travel

Do you need to be vaccinated or have a negative Covid-19 test for your next trip? Check this guide before traveling domestically or abroad.

  • Share full article

who travel vaccinations

By Concepción de León

As vaccinations ramp up and regulations loosen for people in the United States, many are planning travel for summer and beyond, with experts predicting that July 4 will be the biggest travel weekend since the beginning of the pandemic.

But with regulations shifting, people might have questions about testing or vaccination requirements for their trips. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently eased travel recommendations to more than 100 countries. On June 18, the European Union added the United States to its “safe list” of countries , meaning that both vaccinated and unvaccinated American travelers should now be able to visit the 27 member countries, but these member states are allowed to set their own requirements and restrictions for travelers.

In the United States, the C.D.C. has advised that vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks in most places and released new travel guidelines that said domestic travel is safe for them. But travelers must take note of local advice and regulations, as these can vary state by state.

Here’s everything you need to consider about testing and vaccinations before you travel within the U.S. or internationally.

Are there testing and vaccination requirements for domestic travel?

For most places, no. You do not need to be vaccinated for any domestic travel. Hawaii is the only state that requires a negative test for travel.

In Hawaii, the test must be administered within 72 hours of arrival and the results uploaded to its Safe Travel platform to avoid a mandatory quarantine when entering the state.

Alternatively in Hawaii, you can also provide proof that you’ve recovered from Covid-19 in the past 90 days, including both a positive test result and a letter from a doctor clearing you to travel.

The state’s governor, David Ige, said this month that people who received their vaccination in the state of Hawaii may bypass testing and quarantine requirements starting on June 15, and that anyone vaccinated in the U.S. will be able to enter Hawaii without testing once the state has reached a 60 percent vaccination rate.

If you are unvaccinated, you should continue to adhere to social distancing and mask-wearing protocols while traveling domestically, the C.D.C. said . You can use the C.D.C.’s Travel Planner to check guidelines by state.

What are the testing and vaccination rules for international travel?

While testing and vaccination requirements vary by destination country, everyone arriving in the U.S. — even vaccinated Americans — must present a negative test result upon entry .

Many nations are still closed to American travelers. Those that are open may require a negative test, proof of vaccination or evidence of recovery (or a combination of these) to enter.

The United Kingdom , for instance, requires that American travelers, regardless of vaccination status, provide proof of a negative test taken within 72 hours of departure, quarantine upon arrival and take two additional tests during their stay. Children under 11 are exempt from these requirements, as are some other people depending on their reason for travel.

Some European countries have been allowing in Americans who are vaccinated or who can show a negative test. Americans are on the European Union’s “safe list” of countries, but while the bloc aims to take a coordinated approach to travel this summer, member states will be allowed to set their own requirements for travelers from individual countries, which could include testing and vaccination.

The E.U. “safe list” also applies to Europe’s border-free Schengen Zone, which includes non-E.U. countries such as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Lichtenstein.

Canada is still closed to Americans , with few exceptions, and will remain so until at least early July, said Patty Hajdu, the country’s minister of health, in a news conference in June.

The U.S.-Mexico land border is closed for nonessential travel until at least June 21, but air travel is allowed and the country does not require a negative test for entry. Because of its high risk level, the C.D.C. recommends that travelers be fully vaccinated before traveling to Mexico.

Consult the C.D.C.’s inventory of international travel health notices for more information on regulations by country.

“Travelers should always check with their airline and the embassy of the country they are visiting to ensure they have the proper documentation required to enter the country,” said Perry Flint, a spokesman for The International Air Transport Association, a global airline industry group.

What test should I take, and where and when?

To enter the U.S., travelers must show a negative result to a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) — PCR is a type of NAAT test — or an antigen test, also known as a rapid test, taken in the three days before departure, according to the C.D.C .

Some airports offer on-site testing, such as Heathrow Airport in England, or Rome’s Fiumicino International Airport in Italy.

Josh Alexander, a New York-based luxury travel agent for Protravel International, said that many international hotels, including most Four Seasons hotels and resorts , are offering on-site rapid tests for free or at a nominal cost.

Testing at local clinics is also available in many places, though you should check availability at your destination ahead of time and book if you can. It may also come at a high cost. Mr. Alexander said that PCR tests abroad can range from $50 to $150.

The C.D.C. said that it allows for a three-day time frame rather than 72 hours to allow flexibility in the time of day the test can be taken. For instance, if you are flying out on a Friday, the test may be taken at any time on Tuesday.

But, when it comes to international destinations, Mr. Alexander recommends erring on the side of caution when timing your test by calculating it based on time of arrival at your destination.

“Rules are constantly changing,” he said, “so we’re just trying to always tell people they should always be as conservative as possible to eliminate any gray area.”

What are the requirements for minors?

The C.D.C. testing recommendations apply to all children 2 years and older, which means your toddler also needs to deliver a negative Covid-19 test to enter the U.S. from abroad. When traveling, children should wear masks, practice social distancing and wash hands often, the C.D.C. said .

“If the kids are age 12 and older, get ’em vaccinated,” said William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, in an email.

If you’re traveling to a country within the European Union that is open to travelers from the U.S., children who cannot be vaccinated should have a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival at your destination, and additional testing may be required upon arrival.

Travelers should check with their airline or destination country website for relevant requirements.

What if I want to go on a cruise?

Rules vary from one cruise line to another, with some planning to require that all passengers and crew be vaccinated, and others adopting a hybrid model.

But recent laws passed in Florida and Texas banning businesses from requiring proof of vaccination to use their services may complicate this plan.

Celebrity Cruises, set to be the first U.S. cruise ship to restart operations on June 26 from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., said it’s optimistic that a resolution would be reached in time . It is requiring that guests 16 years and older be vaccinated, while children will be tested at the terminal.

Carnival Cruises said on Monday that its first ship would set sail from the Port of Galveston, in Texas, on July 3 and would be available only for vaccinated passengers. Norwegian, which will begin to operate cruises from Miami in August, said it will require the same through October 31 and has threatened to skip Florida ports if the state does not allow cruise lines an exemption from the law banning vaccine requirements.

Christine Duffy, the president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement on June 7 that “the current CDC requirements for cruising with a guest base that is unvaccinated will make it very difficult to deliver the experience our guests expect, especially given the large number of families with younger children who sail with us.”

“As a result, our alternative is to operate our ships from the U.S. during the month of July with vaccinated guests,” she said.

But even if you are vaccinated, you must also consider the requirements of the country where the cruise is disembarking. The Caribbean island of St. Maarten, for instance, where Celebrity Cruises started sailing on June 5, requires a negative test in addition to proof of vaccination.

What documents should I bring with me if I travel?

This will also depend on where you’re going, but a good rule of thumb is to carry your physical vaccine card, if you have it, and proof of a negative test, if it is required.

Mr. Alexander, the travel agent, recommends people bring the original documents. While a number of digital health certificates — which show vaccine status and test results — are in the works, he said, they are not yet widely accepted. You should check, also, that your document is in the correct language. The United Kingdom , for instance, requires that test results be in English, Spanish or French.

CommonPass , from the Geneva-based nonprofit the Commons Project Foundation, and the I.A.T.A. Travel Pass are two apps providing digital access to vaccine and testing records for travel. The European Union will be releasing its own digital Covid certificate for E.U. citizens by July 1, though it is unclear whether Americans will be able to use it.

You should check with your airline to see if the app you want to use will be accepted at your destination. Both the CommonPass and I.A.T.A. websites list destinations and airline partners accepting the digital health certificates.

Mr. Alexander added that some countries, such as Croatia, may also require proof of a return flight or confirmation of your hotel booking or other accommodation, though this is rare. In South Africa, which has implemented a curfew, travelers may need to show their flight ticket to law enforcement officers to show they are allowed to be in transit.

But these shifting regulations should not dissuade people from traveling, Mr. Alexander said.

“If you’re vaccinated and you’re following safe precautions, you can still have a great experience,” he said.

Concepción de León is a travel reporter based in New York. More about Concepción de León

Which Vaccinations Are Required for Travel?

By Cassie Shortsleeve

Mountain hiking

A trip abroad requires you to be up-to-date on a whole checklist of things these days: travel insurance, airline policies, visas, passports , and, as far as your health is concerned, vaccines. Yet while the COVID-19 pandemic has made us acutely aware of the importance of staying healthy on the road, travel vaccines have always been a mainstay of safe travel—a crucial tool in avoiding the (often expensive) headaches of getting sick , and treating sicknesses, abroad.

Whether you have travel on the horizon or want to be prepared for 2023 trips and beyond, this guide will get you up to speed on the vaccinations required for travel depending on your destination, itinerary, and health status. Follow the below steps to protect your immune system in another country.

Make sure you’re current with routine vaccines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all travelers be up to date on routine vaccines before travel. Routine vaccines include shots like COVID-19; chickenpox; Hepatitis A and B; Influenza; Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR); Polio; and more. The CDC has a full list of routine vaccines here .

“‘Routinely recommended vaccines’ are vaccines that have been considered very important to prevent common diseases in the population to start,” says Lin H. Chen , M.D. director of the Travel Medicine Center at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the former president of the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM).

Routine vaccines protect against disease that exists at low levels (chickenpox) or barely exists at all (measles) in the U.S. They also protect against severe disease from diseases that are still present in the United States (influenza or COVID-19). Generally, they’re given in childhood or adolescence—though some are given through adulthood—so it’s always a good idea to double-check your vaccination records.

When traveling, routine shots are especially important because international travel increases your chances of both contracting and spreading diseases that aren’t common in the U.S. A good example of this is measles. While it’s practically non-existent in the U.S., international travel increases your risk of exposure and popular destinations including Europe still have measles outbreaks.

It’s worth double checking your status even if you think you’re up to date: “During the pandemic, some routine vaccination programs may have suffered lapses, so there is concern that diseases may become more common,” says Dr. Chen.

The routine vaccination recommendations have also changed over the years (the addition of the COVID-19 vaccine to the list is an example) and it’s easy to let vaccines like tetanus ( generally needed every 10 years ) lapse.

“It is even recommended at this time that certain adults who are traveling who have not had a polio vaccine for many years and are traveling to a risk area get an additional dose of the polio vaccine,” says Elizabeth D. Barnett , M.D., a professor at Boston University Medical School and a leader in the field of travel and tropical Medicine.

If you’re traveling with a child , talk to your pediatrician: Rules around vaccination can be different for babies traveling internationally. A baby who is not leaving the U.S., for example, gets their first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 months; if they will be leaving the country, they get the first dose at six months .

Utilize official resources to learn more about vaccination recommendations around the world

“Understanding the epidemiology of where diseases are circulating is really important,” says Dr. Chen.

That’s why, generally, she sends travelers to the CDC’s website , which outlines exactly what additional vaccines you may need for essentially every country in the world. All you have to do is plug in your destination and you’ll find information about vaccines and medications, health travel notices, COVID-19 travel information, and more.

Start a conversation with your primary care doctor—then consider seeing a travel medicine specialist

It’s always good to start a conversation with your primary care doctor about vaccines before you travel, but if your itinerary is complex, involving multiple countries, being in rural areas, areas without good hygiene, or areas where you may not be able to protect yourself from mosquito- or food-borne illnesses, or if you have questions based on what you found on the CDC website or your own personal health history, consider asking your physician for a referral to a travel medicine specialist or travel clinic.

After all, when it comes to vaccinations required for travel, it’s not just about where you travel, but how you travel.

“The art of travel medicine is listening to where the person is going, what they're going to be doing, and making a decision based on the risk-benefit ratio,” says Dr. Barnett. A travel medicine doctor will be able to analyze disease trends and trip details such as how long you’ll be traveling or how well you’ll be able to protect yourself against mosquitoes. “You have to really dig into those things,” she says.

The 15 Best Spas in New York City

Gabby Shacknai

Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Athens

Anastasia Miari

The 11 Best Alaska Cruise Excursions in 2024

Janice Wald Henderson

United Airlines Is Launching New Nonstop Routes to Morocco, the Philippines, and Colombia

Hannah Towey

Take a vaccine called the Japanese encephalitis vaccine, which prevents a type of encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). “We can't just say the risk is present in a specific country, because the risk depends on the time of year, whether the disease is being transmitted at that time, the exact location—rural areas, especially farming regions are associated with much higher risk — whether there's a local outbreak situation going on, and more.”

You may not be able to get every shot you need at your primary care doctor’s office either. The yellow fever vaccine, for example (which you may need if you’re traveling somewhere like Sub-Saharan Africa or specific parts of South America), is only available at special travel clinics or public health settings, says Dr. Barnett. You can find a list of travel medicine clinics on the CDC’s website.

Your health background (what diseases you’ve had in the past, whether or not you’re immune-suppressed, and if you’re more predisposed to a certain condition) also play a role in what vaccines to consider. (A very small subset of people vaccinated against yellow fever, for example, experience severe adverse events, says Dr. Barnett.)

The bottom line

For many people and many trips, discussing travel plans with your primary care doctor and using the CDC’s destination feature for vaccine guidance will suffice. Other, more complex trips require a visit to a travel clinic. If you’re aiming to get into one, start the process at least a month before your departure date—appointments can be hard to get and your body needs time to build up immunity from any additional vaccines you may require.

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site.

Find a Clinic

There are several places you can get vaccines and medicine before you travel.

county health dept sign

Call your doctor or local health department to see if they can provide pre-travel advice, vaccines, and medicines.

List of health departments

woman checking in at clinic reception desk

If you want to see a travel medicine specialist, the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) can help you find a clinic.

Directory of travel clinics

yellow fever vacc paper

If you need yellow fever vaccine you must get vaccinated at an authorized yellow fever vaccine clinic. Many of these clinics also give other shots and medicines.

Yellow fever vaccine clinic search

Find where you can get a COVID-19 vaccine in your area.

Need to get tested? Find a COVID-19 testing clinic .

  • Find out what vaccines you need for your destination
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Traveler Advice
  • Clinician Tools and Resources

CDC provides these links as a convenience to international travelers. CDC does not endorse, recommend, or favor any clinics on these lists, nor does the appearance of a clinic on these lists imply a guarantee of service quality.

File Formats Help:

  • Adobe PDF file
  • Microsoft PowerPoint file
  • Microsoft Word file
  • Microsoft Excel file
  • Audio/Video file
  • Apple Quicktime file
  • RealPlayer file
  • Zip Archive file

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
  • Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
  • You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
  • CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

Thanks for visiting! GoodRx is not available outside of the United States. If you are trying to access this site from the United States and believe you have received this message in error, please reach out to [email protected] and let us know.

  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to "About this site"

Language selection

Search travel.gc.ca.

Help us to improve our website. Take our survey !

Please help improve our website. See if you qualify .

Travel vaccinations

When travelling outside Canada, you may be at risk for a number of vaccine preventable illnesses.

You should consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before you travel. This is an opportunity to:

  • review your immunization history
  • make sure your provincial/territorial vaccination schedule is up-to-date
  • discuss any trip-related health concerns you may have
  • assess your needs based on where you plan to travel and what you plan to do

You may need additional vaccinations depending on your age, planned travel activities and local conditions. Preventing disease through vaccination is a lifelong process.

Use the reference below to determine which vaccinations may be recommended or required for your destination.

Vaccination recommendations by destination

Yellow fever vaccination.

Some countries require proof that you have received a yellow fever vaccination before allowing you to enter the country. Consult an embassy or consulate of your destination country in Canada for up-to-date information on its entry and exit requirements before you travel abroad.

Other countries may require you to have been vaccinated for yellow fever if you have passed through an area where yellow fever may occur .

Proof of vaccination must be documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis . You must carry the original certificate with you.

In Canada, the vaccination is only given at designated yellow fever vaccination centres .

Immunization records

  • Download the free CANImmunize app from the iOS App Store or Google Play, and manage your family’s vaccination records on the go.
  • Carry copies of your family’s immunization records while you travel and leave the originals at home.
  • Sickness or injury
  • Travel Advice and Advisories
  • If you get sick after travelling
  • Receiving medical care in other countries
  • Travel health kit
  • Travel insurance
  • Well on Your Way - A Canadian’s Guide to Healthy Travel Abroad
  • Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada , Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
  • Recommended Immunization Schedules , PHAC
  • Child Health
  • Heart Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Sexual Health
  • Skin Conditions

Travel Vaccinations

  • Treatment and Medication
  • Women's Health
  • View all categories
  • Bones and Joints
  • Digestive Health
  • Healthy Living
  • Signs and Symptoms

Try our Symptom Checker Got any other symptoms?

  • Nervous System
  • Heart Disease
  • Inflammation
  • Painkillers
  • Muscle Pain
  • View all Medicines and Drugs
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Bacterial Vaginosis
  • View all Treatments
  • BMI Calculator
  • Pregnancy Due Date Calculator
  • Screening Tests
  • Blood Tests
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Am I Pregnant?
  • Am I Depressed?
  • View all Tools
  • Latest Features
  • Health Videos
  • Bronchiolitis
  • Molluscum Contagiosum
  • Actinic Keratosis
  • Abdominal Pain in Children
  • Subdural Haematoma
  • Obesity in Adults
  • View all Pro Articles
  • View all Medical Calculators
  • Login / Register
  • Patient Access
  • Health Info
  • Travel and Vaccinations

Remove from Saved

Travel vaccinations are an essential part of holiday and travel planning, particularly if your journey takes you to an exotic destination or 'off the beaten track'. The risks are not restricted to tropical travel, although most travel vaccines are targeted at diseases which are more common in the tropics.

For more general information about travel see the separate leaflet called Health Advice for Travel Abroad .

This leaflet discusses the vaccinations that are available and gives some idea of the time you need to allow to complete a full protective course of vaccination. Further information specific to your destination can be obtained from your surgery (if they have the resources to offer this service), from specialist travel clinics and from a number of websites. You will find a selection of these listed at the bottom of this leaflet and under references.

In this article

Why do i need travel vaccinations, what travel vaccinations do i need, malaria prevention, diseases for which no vaccine is yet available, who should be vaccinated, where can i get travel vaccinations, free travel vaccinations.

The rise in worldwide and adventurous tourism has seen a massive increase in people travelling to exotic destinations. This leads to exposure to diseases that are less likely to occur at home. These are diseases against which we have no natural immunity and against which we are not routinely immunised in the UK. They include:

  • Insect-borne conditions such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever and Zika virus.
  • Diseases acquired from eating and drinking, such as hepatitis A and traveller's diarrhoea.
  • Diseases acquired from others or conditions of poor hygiene, such as hepatitis B and Ebola virus.
  • Diseases acquired directly from animals, such as rabies.

These are illnesses which might not only spoil your holiday but might also pose a risk to your life. For specific advice on travelling to more remote places: see the separate leaflet called Travelling to Remote Locations .

Do you need to worry about side effects from vaccines?

Like all medical treatments, vaccinations carry risks as well as benefits. But with scare storie...

Do you need to worry about side effects from vaccines?

  • The essential adventure travel kit

How long before you travel should you get vaccinated?

How long before you travel should you get vaccinated?

Everything you need to know about the rabies jab

Everything you need to know about the rabies jab

Before travelling outside the UK it is important to check whether there are any vaccinations available which could protect you. You can do this by making a travel planning appointment at your GP surgery. During your consultation a specialist travel nurse will complete a risk assessment to determine which vaccines are right for you. If your GP does not offer this service, or does not have an appointment available before you travel, then you will need to seek this advice from a private travel clinic.

There are also several websites which aim to offer up-to-date, country-specific advice on vaccinations and on disease patterns.

You can find out if travel vaccines are recommended for any countries you are planning to visit from the Travel Health Pro website or NHS website Fitfortravel if you are in Scotland.

Vaccination courses need to be planned well in advance. Some vaccinations involve a course of injections at specified intervals and it can take up to six months to complete a course. Some vaccinations can't be given together.

The following table lists the travel vaccinations which are available and in common use in the UK. Always check with your surgery or online before travelling, particularly to unusual destinations, for local outbreaks of disease which mean other specific vaccinations are advised.

Travel vaccinations (adults)

The protection offered by vaccination is not always 100%. Vaccination will greatly reduce your chances of acquiring the disease and in many cases the protection level offered is extremely high. The protection will also not be lifelong. However, there isn't a vaccine available for every disease - for example, there is none at present against malaria.

Even where a vaccine is available, vaccination should not be the only thing you rely on for protection against illness. It is important to know the risks; taking sensible steps to avoid exposing yourself to disease is by far the most useful thing you can do.

Pregnant women

It is important that pregnant women also receive the necessary vaccinations before travelling. Some vaccines, however, are not safe to use in pregnancy - see table below. In some cases your doctor or nurse may ask you to consider whether the journey could wait until after the birth of your baby, as the risks of disease may be very real and you may be unable to fully protect yourself and your baby.

There is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent Zika virus, which is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and which is of particular concern to pregnant women due to its link to birth defects. The recent outbreak of the virus is currently considered a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. See the separate leaflet called Zika Virus.

Off on holiday?

Make sure you get your immunisations ahead of travelling abroad. Speak to a local pharmacist today

No vaccination is available against malaria. People who live permanently in malarial zones have partial protection but they lose this swiftly when they move away. Protection against malaria is through a combination of avoidance of mosquito bites and the use of malaria tablets.

Tablets have to be started before entering the malarial zone and continued for some days or weeks after leaving it. The recommended tablet regime varies by area. Your practice nurse will have access to up-to-date advice on recommendations for your journey. See the separate leaflet called Malaria Prevention for more details.

There are many tropical diseases for which no vaccination is yet available. These include:

  • Insect (arthropod)-borne viruses such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya .
  • Infections carried by water-dwelling organisms such as bilharzia and flukes
  • Parasitic diseases such as leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, trypanosomiasis and hydatid disease. Parasites are living things (organisms) that live within, or on, another organism.

There is also as yet no vaccine against HIV .

Most of these conditions can be avoided by travellers taking reasonable precautions around:

  • Food and drink.
  • Swimming in water known to be infested with parasitic organisms.
  • Exposure to biting insects.
  • Unprotected sexual encounters.

People often at greatest risk when travelling are those visiting a country which they think of as their place of origin, where members of their family live and roots may be. People often believe - falsely - that as one-time residents who may have been born and raised there, they have a natural immunity. They feel that they are not on holiday but visiting home and that vaccinations aren't needed.

Unfortunately this is not true. We acquire natural immunity by living in a place and being constantly exposed to the diseases that are present. When we leave the area for distant shores that protection is rapidly lost and we need the protection of vaccination, together with the other precautions listed above.

This is particularly true of malaria, where visitors 'going back home' may find their relatives puzzled and even amused that they are taking anti-malarial medication. Even so, it's very important to do so. It's only by living there all the time that you acquire your resident relatives' level of immunity. Your immune system has a short memory for this sort of partial immunity.

Many NHS surgeries offer a full range of travel vaccinations. However, your surgery may not have the resources to fit you in before you travel. Alternatively, you can visit private specialist travel clinics.

The NHS does not usually cover travellers for vaccinations relating to exotic travel, although some vaccinations such as hepatitis A are usually free. Aid workers and healthcare workers are often offered free vaccinations against occupational risks but others have to pay.

Anti-malarial tablets are never free and can add a substantial sum to the cost of your trip. Whilst this may seem expensive, it is usually a small sum relative to the costs of your travel. Safeguarding your health should be considered an essential part of any trip.

If a vaccination certificate is issued keep it and update it over the years so that you have a full record. Your NHS surgery will have a record of vaccines they have administered to you and can often issue a copy. However, the yellow fever vaccination certificate needs to be saved, as this cannot be re-issued.

Further reading

There are many excellent websites offering detailed advice for travellers by country and region. You will find a selection under 'Further Reading and References', below.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

Are you protected against flu?

See if you are eligible for a free NHS flu jab today.

Join our weekly wellness digest

from the best health experts in the business

Further reading and references

Immunisation against infectious disease - the Green Book (latest edition) ; UK Health Security Agency.

Travellers' Health ; US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Travel Health Pro ; National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC)

Travelling if you have a medical condition ; British Airways (includes downloadable MEDIF forms)

Related Information

  • Yellow Fever Vaccine
  • Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine
  • Rabies Vaccine
  • Cholera Vaccine

Do you need to worry about side effects from vaccines?

What side effects are associated with the yellow fever vaccine?

Overcoming your fear of needles

Overcoming your fear of needles

Everything you need to know about the rabies jab

Hi All,  I dont know if anyone has come across this.  I have a worm infestation in my face.  They travel around under the skin leaving tracks and bursting holes into my skin.  they create glass like... nicolamc

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions .

  • Program Finder
  • Admissions Services
  • Course Directory
  • Academic Calendar
  • Hybrid Campus
  • Lecture Series
  • Convocation
  • Strategy and Development
  • Implementation and Impact
  • Integrity and Oversight
  • In the School
  • In the Field
  • In Baltimore
  • Resources for Practitioners
  • Articles & News Releases
  • In The News
  • Statements & Announcements
  • At a Glance
  • Student Life
  • Strategic Priorities
  • Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism, and Equity (IDARE)
  • What is Public Health?

Understanding the CDC’s Updated COVID Isolation Guidance

The updated recommendations align guidance for COVID infection with that for other common respiratory viruses.

Aliza Rosen

For the first time since 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its COVID isolation guidance.

Specifically, it has shifted the recommendation that someone who tests positive for COVID isolate for five days to a timeline based on the progression of the person’s symptoms. The update is part of a larger strategy to provide one set of recommendations for most common respiratory illnesses , including COVID, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

In this Q&A, virologist Andy Pekosz , PhD, a professor in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology , explains the CDC’s new isolation guidance, the reasons for the update, and why the prevention and treatment strategies we’ve all become accustomed to still play an important part in reducing respiratory virus transmission.

What are the updated recommendations for someone who comes down with a respiratory infection?

The updated guidance from the CDC is to “stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren't better explained by another cause.” You can resume normal activities once your symptoms are improving and you’ve been fever-free—without the aid of fever-reducing medications—for at least 24 hours.

For the five days after you resume your normal activities, you should take extra precautions, like wearing a well-fitting mask and maintaining distance from others, gathering outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, cleaning hands and high-touch surfaces often, and testing when possible before gathering with others. If symptoms or fever return, you should start back at square one: staying home and away from others until you’ve been improving and fever-free for at least 24 hours.

What should you do if you’re at higher risk of severe illness?

If you’re at higher risk of severe illness—generally, this is older adults and young children, pregnant people, people with disabilities, and people with compromised immune systems—seek testing and contact your physician. If you test positive for COVID or flu, there are antiviral medications that can be taken within a few days of symptom onset and are extremely effective in reducing the likelihood that your symptoms become severe or that you need to be hospitalized.

How does this differ from previous guidance?

Before this, the CDC recommended that people who test positive for COVID should isolate away from others for five days and wear a well-fitting mask around others for the following five days. This was different from the general guidance for other common respiratory viruses, like flu and RSV.

Now there is no one-size-fits-all duration for how long to isolate; rather, you can resume regular activities—ideally still using other prevention strategies, like masking and distancing—based on when your symptoms have improved and your fever has gone away. 

This marks a significant change in guidance for people who test positive for COVID. Why has the guidance changed?

The CDC has simplified its recommendations for how long to stay home and isolate after testing positive or experiencing symptoms to be consistent across COVID-19, influenza, and RSV infections. This way, anyone who develops symptoms can follow the same isolation guidance, irrespective of what respiratory virus they’re infected with.

It’s important to note, though, that this guidance on how long to isolate is just one part of a larger strategy for combating respiratory viruses that includes:

  • Being up to date on recommended vaccines.
  • Practicing good hygiene regarding hand-washing, sneezing, and coughing.
  • Being aware of antiviral treatment options for COVID-19 and influenza.
  • Taking steps to improve indoor air quality.

If the guidance is the same for all respiratory viruses, is it still important to test to know what someone is sick with?

Yes, testing is still needed in order to get a prescription for antivirals to treat COVID-19 or influenza. Those antivirals have been shown to reduce disease severity in several different groups, so if you are in a high risk group, be sure to test early and contact your physician so you can get the antiviral prescriptions as soon as possible.

Testing can also play an important role in preventing transmission, particularly if you were recently around someone who has since become sick, or if you plan to spend time with someone who is at higher risk of severe infection.

For COVID in particular, rapid home antigen tests are a great way to determine whether you’re still infectious and able to infect others. Symptom severity can be fairly subjective and a presence or lack of symptoms does not always align with infectiousness , so testing out of isolation for COVID is still good practice if you have access to tests.

Does this new guidance mean that all of these respiratory viruses pose the same risk?

No, COVID-19 is still causing more cases and more severe disease than influenza or RSV. A person’s risk for severe infection will also vary based on a number of factors, including age and health conditions .

The updated guidance acknowledges that we can simplify the recommendations for what to do after becoming infected with a respiratory virus, as part of the larger strategy to address spread.

The CDC also recently recommended that people over age 65 receive an additional dose of this year’s COVID vaccine . What drove that decision?

There are a few reasons behind this new recommendation for older adults . First, most severe COVID infections are occurring in individuals 65 years and older who have not been vaccinated recently. The CDC’s recommendation notes that more than half of COVID hospitalizations between October 2023 and December 2023 occurred in adults over 65.

Second, we know immunity after vaccination wanes over a few months, so an additional dose will provide renewed protection through the spring. New COVID variants like JN.1 that are circulating now have some mutations that improve their ability to evade vaccine-induced immunity, but the antibodies made through vaccination still recognize them. It’s not a perfect match, but a second dose of this year’s vaccine will provide protection against current variants to an age group at increased risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

When should people over 65 get this additional dose of the current COVID vaccine?

The recommendation from the CDC is for people 65 and older who have already received one dose of the 2023-24 COVID vaccine to get a second shot at least four months after their most recent dose .

For people in that age group who haven’t had the 2023-24 vaccine, there’s no need to wait. They can get their shot now to be protected through the spring.

Will there be an updated COVID-19 vaccine for these newer variants?

We can likely expect to see a new COVID-19 vaccine available this fall, just like we see new, updated influenza vaccines each fall. This spring—typically around May—a decision will be made on which variants the updated vaccine will be designed around, and like we saw in 2023, the new vaccine will be available in the fall as we head into the typical respiratory virus season.

Aliza Rosen is a digital content strategist in the Office of External Affairs at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

  • More Americans Could Benefit from Paxlovid for COVID Infection
  • What to Know About the Updated COVID-19 Vaccine for Fall/Winter 2023

Related Content

A peer educator of the Wits Reproductive Health Institute Sex Worker Programme sits in consultation with a client at the clinic in Hilbrow, Johannesburg, on July 20, 2017.

The Global AIDS Fight Has a Data Problem

A statue of a mother holding her child with her hand over her face, against a cloudy grey sky.

Bhopal: A Tale of Two Tragedies

A woman sits on a couch wrapped in a blanket blowing her nose

COVID Rebound Can Happen Whether or Not You Take Paxlovid

Conceptual image of disease particles connecting over a large crowd of people.

Defining Disease X

Ivac’s vira chatbot receives silver anthem award for innovative approach to vaccine communication.

who travel vaccinations

How to check if you need a measles vaccine, as cases occur in Canada

who travel vaccinations

While most of Canada's current measles case have been linked to international travel, some in Quebec and one in Ontario have not, meaning the virus is being transmitted in communities. Eric Risberg/The Associated Press

The discovery of measles cases in several provinces is prompting public health officials to recommend Canadians check their vaccination status before travelling abroad.

Ten cases of measles have been confirmed in the Greater Montreal area over the past few weeks, while five cases have been reported in Ontario, and at least one in both B.C. and Saskatchewan.

While most of the cases have been linked to international travel, some in Quebec and one in Ontario have not, meaning the virus is being transmitted in communities.

The measles virus is airborne and highly communicable, with symptoms that at first mimic those of a cold or flu: fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. Around two to three days after symptoms begin, small white spots may appear inside the mouth and throat. Around three to seven days later, a rash develops on the face and spreads down the body, arms and legs. The incubation period is around 10 days, and those infected are contagious from four days prior to a rash appearing and four days after.

The virus can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and respiratory failure. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada. about one in 1,000 people infected with measles will develop encephalitis, or brain inflammation, which can cause deafness, blindness and development disability in children.

One to three out of every 1,000 people with measles will die as a result of the disease.

Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Theresa Tam, has strongly advised Canadians to get vaccinated with two doses of the measles vaccine, especially before travelling. In 1998, measles was declared eliminated in Canada, meaning cases were no longer originating in this country. But this year, more than a dozen cases have been reported. In 2023, only 12 cases were reported for the entire year.

Preventing the spread of measles within a community requires 95 per cent of the population to be vaccinated. But measles vaccination coverage has dropped below that mark in the country, partly because of the disruption to routine childhood immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada’s public health agency said.

Here’s what to know about checking your vaccine history and where to get a dose if needed.

How many doses of the vaccine should people get?

Both measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccines are available. The efficacy of a single dose given at 12 or 15 months of age is estimated to be 85 to 95 per cent. With a second dose, it’s nearly 100 per cent effective.

Unlike COVID-19 or the flu, the measles virus is stable and does not mutate. This means that people who had two doses as a child are still immune today, and people who have recovered from measles have permanent immunity.

Babies are one of the highest risk groups for measles and aren’t eligible for the vaccine until their first birthday. But infants who are six months to 11 months can get a dose of the MMR vaccine if they are travelling to an area with measles spread. Public health experts say caregivers should speak to a health professional to determine eligibility.

Two doses of the vaccine are recommended for routine childhood immunization. The first dose of either MMR or MMRV vaccine should be administered at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 18 months of age or any time before starting school (around four to six years old).

If a child or adolescent who is younger than 18 years old misses the routine vaccinations, they should receive two doses of the vaccine, administered at least four weeks apart.

Adults born after 1970

Adults born in or after 1970 should receive one dose of the vaccine. However, if travelling abroad, Canada’s public health agency recommends this age group receive a total of two doses. People who are pregnant should not get the MMR or MMRV vaccines because of the theoretical risk to the fetus.

Adults born before 1970

These adults can be presumed to have acquired natural immunity to measles because they likely were infected while the disease was endemic in Canada. If you know you did not have measles or have not been immunized and are travelling internationally, you can get one dose of the vaccine. The World Health Organization issued an alert in December about what it described as an “alarming” rise in measles cases in Europe.

Adults with greater risk of exposure

All adults who are at a greater risk of measles exposure – such as health care workers and military personnel – are recommended to get two doses of the MMR vaccines.

For more information, the government of Canada has a full breakdown of immunity criteria.

How to check your or your child’s vaccination records:

To obtain your vaccination records, contact your family doctor or any previous primary health care providers. You can also contact your local public health authority.

Where can I get a vaccine?

You can get the MMR or MMRV vaccine from your family doctor, provincial public health units or offices, and some pharmacies, depending on the province. Pharmacies in British Columbia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland currently offer the measles vaccine for adults and children four years and older.

I can’t find my vaccine records. What now?

Canada’s public health agency says that if you don’t remember whether you received a second dose, or if there’s any doubt, talk to a health care provider about getting a booster shot.

There is no harm in getting another dose of MMR vaccine even if it turns out you did have two shots, said Shelly Bolotin , director of the Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health. “There’s no relationship between adverse events and more doses that you have. It’s a very, very, very safe vaccine.”

More reading:

André Picard: The return of measles is cause for concern – not disdain

Dr. Dawn Bowdish: Measles is not some harmless childhood infection

With reports from Carly Weeks, Frédérik-Xavier Duhamel and The Canadian Press

Report an error

Editorial code of conduct

Follow related authors and topics

Samantha Edwards

  • COVID-19 vaccines Follow You must be logged in to follow. Log In Create free account
  • Health care Follow You must be logged in to follow. Log In Create free account

Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following .

Interact with The Globe

Measles in the United States — March 2024

March 8, 2024, 4:15 PM EDT

Updates on respiratory illness and vaccine-preventable diseases.

Thanks to a strong childhood vaccination program, measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000. Although overall childhood vaccination rates remain high in the U.S., measles still occurs frequently in other parts of the world. That’s especially true right now. The World Health Organization has noted a significant increase in measles cases worldwide, with a 30-fold increase in Europe.  This includes popular international tourist destinations for Americans, like England.

Measles can easily come to the United States by way of unvaccinated travelers, and measles cases have been increasing around the country. This most commonly happens when people who live in the United States visit countries where there are measles outbreaks . Once someone gets measles and returns to America, measles can spread if people in their community aren’t up-to-date on their vaccinations.

  • Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to them can also become infected if they are not protected by vaccination (or, less commonly, prior infection).
  • The measles virus can stay in the air for up to 2 hours after an infected person left an indoor space.
  • Someone can get infected by simply being in a room where a person with measles walked through.
  • In addition, people with measles can transmit to others when their symptoms are fever, cough, and runny nose, which look like common respiratory viruses.

Worse, measles can be very serious . Children younger than 5 years and adults older than 20 years are more likely to suffer from complications. Common measles complications include ear infections and diarrhea. More severe complications like pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (infection and swelling of the brain) are possible and often require hospitalization and even intensive care. This is a real risk for people who are not vaccinated, especially for young children, adults, pregnant persons, and people who are immunocompromised. On average, nearly 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the United States who get measles need to be hospitalized. For example, in a recent outbreak in Ohio , over 40% of infants and children infected with measles were hospitalized.

When outbreaks do occur, local health departments lead the response. The playbook for ending measles outbreaks is decades old, and it works. People who are infected or who are exposed to measles but haven’t been vaccinated are recommended to stay home and away from settings where unvaccinated people may be exposed, like schools and daycares. By following these simple procedures, countless jurisdictions have successfully curbed local measles outbreaks and limited the illness and suffering that accompany them.

Key to maintaining the elimination of measles in the U.S. is vaccination. The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR)  is part of the national immunization schedule for all children and adults. Vaccination with MMR is the best and safest way to prevent measles. When both doses of MMR vaccine are given (typically when the child is about 1 and 4 years old), MMR is 97% effective at preventing measles.

CDC recommends the safe and effective MMR vaccination as part of the routine immunization schedule for all children and adults , with special guidance for those travelling internationally . With spring break travel coming up and people going to and coming from countries that have seen sharp upticks in measles cases, the time to be sure you and your family members are up to date on their MMR is now.

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
  • Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
  • You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
  • CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.
  • Brand Studio
  • Where to Find Us
  • Careers & Internships
  • Submit a News Tip
  • Speakers Corner
  • Athlete of the Week
  • Advertise With Us
  • Newsletters
  • News Insiders

Health officials urge Canadians to check on measles vaccination status before March Break travel

By Michelle Mackey

Posted March 4, 2024 2:29 pm.

With March Break travel on the horizon, health officials continue to urge Canadians to make sure their measles vaccinations are up-to-date.

It comes as the World Health organization notes an alarming increase in cases in Europe with some concerning cases in Canada as well.

“So there’s been two cases in Canada, one in Ontario, one in Quebec, where the person who was infected had no travel and no known exposures to someone with measles so that tells us that there are people walking around who are transmissible to others,” said Infectious Disease Specialist at Toronto General Hospital, Dr. Isaac Bogoch.

Due to the transmissibility of the airborne virus, Health Canada said 95 per cent of the population needs to be vaccinated to prevent community spread.

But the coverage has dropped and Dr. Bogoch warns it will find unvaccinated and under-vaccinated populations.

“I think we can’t ignore the tremendous disruption that the pandemic had. And many people, maybe, may have missed just a routine dose of a childhood vaccine for their children.”

  • Measles is making an international comeback. Should Canadians be concerned?
  • Child confirmed with measles in Peel Region, public health unit says
  • Ontario’s chief medical officer warns of ‘potential outbreaks’ of measles

And there may be another issue at play. “A second dose of the measles vaccine was added in 1996, so there may be some people out there who’ve only had one dose and think they’re fully vaccinated,” added Dr. Bogoch.

Toronto’s Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Allison Chris, is urging people to check their vaccination record card or check with their primary health care provider to ensure protection against what she calls, “one of the trickiest viruses we know.”

“One of the things that happens is it has a long incubation period. So, you could have been in contact with the virus a week ago and not show symptoms until a week later or even up to three weeks later. That’s why travel is a really important perspective of measles,” said Dr. Chris.

Toronto’s only case so far this year was linked to travel, an infant who had to hospitalized in February, highlighting a vulnerable population.

“The routine schedule for measles is to get a dose at 1 and a second dose between the ages of four and six … But there’s this gap of children who are under 12 months of age who don’t have that protection.”

Toronto Public Health is reminding parents that starting at six months old, infants are eligible for their first measles vaccine if they will be travelling with that first shot providing 85 to 95 per cent protection.

Top Stories

NDP urging province to make Hwy. 407 toll-free for commercial trucks

The Ontario NDP is urging the province to make Highway 407 toll-free for trucks -- a move the party says will greatly reduce congestion on Highway 401 and other major routes in the GTA. NDP Leader Marit...

2 men from Chile crashed into Ajax house while fleeing attempted ATM robbery: police

Durham Regional Police have arrested two men who recently arrived in Canada from Chile after they allegedly tried to rob an ATM at an Ajax bank and then crashed into a house while trying to evade pursuing...

Woman, 37, tried to arrange sexual offences against young child: Durham police

A 37-year-old Smiths Falls woman has been charged after Durham Regional Police allege she tried to arrange sexual offences against a young child. The investigation that ultimately led to her arrest...

Teen arrested after Brampton man stabbed during fight

An 18-year-old from Brampton is facing an attempted murder charge following a fight that led to another man being stabbed in that city's downtown core. Peel Regional Police officers responded to the...

Most Watched Today

Record breaking warmth to start the week

A mix of sun and cloud on Monday as a stretch of mild weather moves into the region and there is the potential a 50 year old record could fall.

Ice rescue highlights dwindling season

A dramatic Lake Simcoe ice rescue caught on camera is the latest example of how their year's warm weather has affected winter activities across the province. David Zura explains.

Trudeau Toronto event cancelled due to pro-Palestinian demonstration

Entrances to the Art Gallery of Ontario were blocked by pro-Palestinian demonstrators forcing the cancellation of a reception hosted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Caryn Ceolin reports.

Vigil for refugee who died after waiting for bed at Mississauga shelter

Mourners gathered Saturday to honour the life of Delphina Wambui Ngigi, the Kenyan asylum seeker who died after waiting hours for space at a Mississauga shelter. Michelle Mackey reports on the growing calls for action.

Mounting frustration with TTC's 504 route

One longstanding resident of the city says enough is enough with the TTC's 504 route and it appears neighbours in the area agree. David Zura explains. 

Update January 10, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

  • Travel Advisories |
  • Contact Us |
  • MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents, u.s. visa law & policy.

Judicial Assistance Country Information

Share this page:

The Visa Bulletin

Visa Statistics

Laws & Regulations

Visa Bulletin For April 2024

Number 88 Volume X Washington, D.C

View as Printer Friendly PDF

A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS

This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during April  for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.

Unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website at  www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo , individuals seeking to file applications for adjustment of status with USCIS must use the “Final Action Dates” charts below for determining when they can file such applications. When USCIS determines that there are more immigrant visas available for the fiscal year than there are known applicants for such visas, USCIS will state on its website that applicants may instead use the “Dates for Filing Visa Applications” charts in this Bulletin. 

1.  Procedures for determining dates. Consular officers are required to report to the Department of State documentarily qualified applicants for numerically limited visas; USCIS reports applicants for adjustment of status. Allocations in the charts below were made, to the extent possible, in chronological order of reported priority dates, for demand received by March 4th . If not all demand could be satisfied, the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed. The final action date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who could not be reached within the numerical limits. If it becomes necessary during the monthly allocation process to retrogress a final action date, supplemental requests for numbers will be honored only if the priority date falls within the new final action date announced in this bulletin. If at any time an annual limit were reached, it would be necessary to immediately make the preference category “unavailable”, and no further requests for numbers would be honored.

2.  The fiscal year 2024 limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants determined in accordance with Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is 226,000.  The worldwide level for annual employment-based preference immigrants is at least 140,000.  Section 202 prescribes that the per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, i.e., 25,620.  The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 7,320.

3.  INA Section 203(e) provides that family-sponsored and employment-based preference visas be issued to eligible immigrants in the order in which a petition in behalf of each has been filed. Section 203(d) provides that spouses and children of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status, and the same order of consideration, if accompanying or following to join the principal. The visa prorating provisions of Section 202(e) apply to allocations for a foreign state or dependent area when visa issuances will exceed the per-country limit. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas:  CHINA-mainland born, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. 

4.  Section 203(a) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of Family-sponsored immigrant visas as follows: 

FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES

First : ( F1 ) Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens:  23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference.

Second : Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents:  114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, plus any unused first preference numbers:

A. ( F2A ) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents:  77% of the overall second preference limitation, of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit;

B. ( F2B ) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents:  23% of the overall second preference limitation.

Third : ( F3 ) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens:  23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences.

Fourth : ( F4 ) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens:  65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences.

A.   FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES

On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); "C" means current, i.e., numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants; and "U" means unauthorized, i.e., numbers are not authorized for issuance. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the final action date listed below.)

For April, F2A numbers  EXEMPT from per-country limit  are authorized for issuance to applicants from all countries with priority dates  earlier  than 15AUG20. F2A numbers  SUBJECT to per-country limit  are authorized for issuance to applicants chargeable to all countries EXCEPT MEXICO , with priority dates beginning 15AUG20 and earlier than 08SEP20. All F2A numbers provided for MEXICO are exempt from the per-country limit.

B.  DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSORED VISA APPLICATIONS

The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart below may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority date.

The “C” listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be filed regardless of the applicant’s priority date. The listing of a date for any category indicates that only applicants with a priority date which is earlier than the listed date may file their application.

Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 4.A.) this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. 

5.  Section 203(b) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of Employment-based immigrant visas as follows: 

EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES

First :  Priority Workers:  28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences.

Second :  Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability:  28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference.

Third :  Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers:  28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, not more than 10,000 of which to "*Other Workers".

Fourth :  Certain Special Immigrants:  7.1% of the worldwide level.

Fifth :  Employment Creation:  7.1% of the worldwide level, of which 32% are reserved as follows: 20% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a rural area; 10% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a high unemployment area; and 2% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in infrastructure projects. The remaining 68% are unreserved and are allotted for all other qualified immigrants.

A.  FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES

*Employment Third Preference Other Workers Category: Section 203(e) of the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) passed by Congress in November 1997, as amended by Section 1(e) of Pub. L. 105-139, provides that once the Employment Third Preference Other Worker (EW) cut-off date has reached the priority date of the latest EW petition approved prior to November 19, 1997, the 10,000 EW numbers available for a fiscal year are to be reduced by up to 5,000 annually beginning in the following fiscal year. This reduction is to be made for as long as necessary to offset adjustments under the NACARA program. Since the EW final action date reached November 19, 1997 during Fiscal Year 2001, the reduction in the EW annual limit to 5,000 began in Fiscal Year 2002. For Fiscal Year 2024 this reduction will be limited to approximately 150.

B.  DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA APPLICATIONS

The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date.

Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 5.A.) this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. 

B .   DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT (DV) CATEGORY FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL

Section 203(c) of the INA provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas each fiscal year to permit additional immigration opportunities for persons from countries with low admissions during the previous five years.  The NACARA stipulates that beginning with DV-99, and for as long as necessary, up to 5,000 of the 55,000 annually allocated diversity visas will be made available for use under the NACARA program.  Visa numbers made available to NACARA applicants in FY 2023 will result in reduction of the DV-2024 annual limit to approximately 54,850.  Section 5104 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 amended the NACARA’s provisions on the Diversity Visa program such that the number of visas made available under the NDAA will be deducted from the 55,000 DVs annually allocated.  These amendments will not impact the number of diversity visas available until FY 2025.  DVs are divided among six geographic regions. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year.

For April , immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2024 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers  BELOW  the specified allocation cut-off number:

Entitlement to immigrant status in the DV category lasts only through the end of the fiscal (visa) year for which the applicant is selected in the lottery. The year of entitlement for all applicants registered for the DV-2024 program ends as of September 30, 2024. DV visas may not be issued to DV-2024 applicants after that date. Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2024 principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2024. DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2024 cannot be taken for granted. Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30.

C.   THE DIVERSITY (DV) IMMIGRANT CATEGORY RANK CUT-OFFS WHICH WILL APPLY IN MAY

For May , immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2024 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers  BELOW  the specified allocation cut-off number:

D.   SCHEDULED EXPIRATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT FOURTH PREFERENCE RELIGIOUS WORKERS (SR) CATEGORY

Pursuant to H.R. 7463, signed on March 1, 2024, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on March 22, 2024.  No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight March 21, 2024.  Visas issued prior to that date will be valid only until March 21, 2024, and all individuals seeking admission in the non-minister special immigrant category must be admitted (repeat admitted) into the United States no later than midnight March 21, 2024. 

The SR category is listed as “Unavailable” for all countries for April.  In the event there is legislative action extending the category, it is likely it will become available effective immediately. If extended, the category will be subject to the same final action dates as the listed Employment-Based Fourth Preference categories per applicable foreign state of chargeability.

E.   VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE COMING MONTHS

FAMILY-sponsored categories (potential movement):

Worldwide dates:

F1: Up to three months F2A (excluding Mexico): Up to six months F2B: Up to ten weeks F3: Several months F4: Up to four weeks 

F1: Up to four months F2A: Up to three months F2B: Several months F3: Up to six months F4: Up to three months

Philippines:

F3: Several months F4: Several months

EMPLOYMENT-based categories: Very little to no forward movement is expected in the coming months since the final action dates for many categories advanced for April 2024.

The above final action date projections for the Family and Employment categories indicate what is likely to happen throughout Quarter Three and Quarter Four of FY24.  Readers should never assume that recent trends in final action date movements are guaranteed for the future, or that retrogressions will not be required at some point to maintain number use within the applicable annual limits.  The determination of the actual monthly final action dates is subject to fluctuations in applicant demand and other variables.  

F.   U.S. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISAS (SIVs)

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, signed into law on December 22, 2023, may affect certain current and former employees of the U.S. Government abroad applying for SIVs or adjustment of status, as described in section 101(a)(27)(D) of the INA.  This does not affect certain Iraqis and Afghans applying for SQ and SI SIVs.  Applicants should contact the consular section at which they filed their Form DS‑1884 for further information on the impact of that law on their case.

G.   FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES, PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITE AT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV

Department of State Publication 9514

CA/VO: March 4, 2024

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

  • Search Please fill out this field.
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Sweepstakes

St. Lucia Introduces New Entry Requirement for Visitors

Travelers to the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia will need to complete a new digital form ahead of arrival.

Starting Wednesday, travelers to the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia will need to complete a new digital form ahead of arrival.

The new Electronic Immigration Form, requires travelers to submit their itinerary and contact information within 72 hours of arrival. The form also asks the nature of travel, such as business, convention, wedding, or visiting friends. 

Despite the fact that St. Lucia removed all COVID-19 entry restrictions, the new form has several health related questions such as if a traveler has any symptoms or contact with someone who had a communicable disease. The form states that any false declarations will be fined XCD $1,000 (or $370 USD). 

The tourism department for St. Lucia shares on its website that they strongly encourage all travelers to submit the digital form within 3 days of arrival, but for those who do not submit in advance, they will be required to complete and submit a paper version on-site at the airport. 

“We have been listening to our nationals, visitors, and investors who are seeking seamless travel experiences backed by confidence in the management of the destination’s entry processes," assistant superintendent in charge of the Department of Immigration for the island, Sean Alexander, said in a statement provided to Travel + Leisure. " This is a unified approach, ensuring that our commitment to welcoming travelers is of a global standard.”

Travelers only need to submit one form on behalf of an entire family or group, and after submitting the form travelers will receive an emailed receipt with a QR Code to present to local authorities upon arriving, according to the government’s website. 

Testing out the form both on a desktop and mobile device, T+L found that the process was very responsive and straightforward. The island's tourism department points out that the form can even be completed upon an arriving flight with in-flight wifi, to help expedite the arrival process for passengers. 

Travelers looking to plan a trip to the island may want to consider checking out the upcoming St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival in May, or taking advantage of winter travel specials curated by the local tourism board, which include hotel discounts of up to 40% off.  

IMAGES

  1. Travel vaccinations

    who travel vaccinations

  2. Travel Vaccination Clinic

    who travel vaccinations

  3. Vaccine passport: How to prove you got a COVID-19 shot for travel

    who travel vaccinations

  4. Edinburgh

    who travel vaccinations

  5. Vaccinations for Traveling Abroad

    who travel vaccinations

  6. COVID travel: CDC says fully vaccinated people can travel at low risk

    who travel vaccinations

COMMENTS

  1. Vaccines

    Vaccines. Vaccination is the administration of agent-specific, but safe, antigenic components that in vaccinated individuals can induce protective immunity against the corresponding infectious agent. Before departure, travelers should have a medical consultation to learn about the risk of disease in the country or countries they plan to visit ...

  2. Travel advice

    Air travel advice. Air travel exposes passengers to a number of factors that may have an impact on health. Some medical conditions and lifestyle choices may affect the safety and comfort of air travel and should be considered before planning a trip. Sea travel advice. Travelling by sea, whether on a short voyage on a small vessel or a lengthy ...

  3. All updates for travellers

    Vaccination requirements and recommendations for international travellers; and malaria situation per country - 2020 edition 11 August 2020 Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring yellow fever vaccination (July 2020) Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring yellow fever ...

  4. Vaccination requirements and recommendations for international

    Overview . The country list is a compilation of key information to facilitate safe international travel. The information provided for each country includes any State health requirements as well as WHO recommendations for yellow fever vaccination, polio vaccination, and malaria prophylaxis.

  5. Travel and health

    2 July 2021. COVID-19 Travel Advice. Policy and technical considerations for implementing a risk-based approach to international travel in the context of COVID-19. 5 February 2021. COVID-19 Travel Advice. Interim position paper: considerations regarding proof of COVID-19 vaccination for international travellers.

  6. Travel advice

    All →. Since October 2020, the WHO Guideline Development Group for International Travel and Health (WHO ITH GDG) is tasked with regularly evaluating the scientific evidence around the effectiveness, safety and impact of public health measures for reducing travel-associated spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, while avoiding ...

  7. PDF 18 NOVEMBER 2022 (REVISED ON 3 JANUARY 2023)

    INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND HEALTH - 18 NOVEMBER 2022 (REVISED ON 3 JANUARY 2023) Country List1 Country vaccination requirements2 and WHO recommendations for vaccination against yellow fever, poliomielytis, and malaria prophylaxis in international travellers Introduction The Country List is a compilation of key information to facilitate ...

  8. PDF International Travel and Health

    vaccines offer important advantages for travellers by reducing the number of injections required. In general, licensed combination vaccines are just as safe and effective as the single-disease vaccines. 6.1.7 Choice of vaccines for travel Vaccines for travellers include: (1) routine vaccines for review before travelling, (2) vaccines

  9. Vaccination requirements and recommendations for international

    The country list is a compilation of key information to facilitate safe international travel. Global; Regions. WHO Regional websites. Africa; Americas; South-East Asia; Europe; ... Vaccination requirements and recommendations for international travellers; and malaria situation per country - 2022 edition. 19 November 2022

  10. Travelers' Health

    See the full list of Travel Health Notices, including: CDC Travelers' Health Branch provides updated travel information, notices, and vaccine requirements to inform international travelers and provide guidance to the clinicians who serve them.

  11. Vaccines for Travelers

    Vaccines for Travelers. Vaccines protect travelers from serious diseases. Depending on where you travel, you may come into contact with diseases that are rare in the United States, like yellow fever. Some vaccines may also be required for you to travel to certain places. Getting vaccinated will help keep you safe and healthy while you're ...

  12. Need travel vaccines? Plan ahead.

    Find out which travel vaccines you may need to help you stay healthy on your trip. Before Travel. Make sure you are up-to-date on all of your routine vaccines. Routine vaccinations protect you from infectious diseases such as measles that can spread quickly in groups of unvaccinated people. Many diseases prevented by routine vaccination are not ...

  13. Think Travel Vaccine Guide

    Prevention modalities: vaccination, medication, consultation. Hepatitis A. Contaminated food & water. Vaccination (2-dose vaccine): Recommended for most travelers. --Administer 2 doses, at least 6 months apart. --At least 1 dose should be given before travel. Consultation: Advise patient to wash hands frequently and avoid unsafe food and water.

  14. Vaccination requirements for international travel

    Vaccination requirements for international travel are the aspect of vaccination policy that concerns the movement of people across borders.Countries around the world require travellers departing to other countries, or arriving from other countries, to be vaccinated against certain infectious diseases in order to prevent epidemics.At border checks, these travellers are required to show proof of ...

  15. What to Know About Testing and Vaccine Requirements for Travel

    You do not need to be vaccinated for any domestic travel. Hawaii is the only state that requires a negative test for travel. In Hawaii, the test must be administered within 72 hours of arrival and ...

  16. Which Vaccinations Are Required for Travel?

    Whether you have travel on the horizon or want to be prepared for 2023 trips and beyond, this guide will get you up to speed on the vaccinations required for travel depending on your destination ...

  17. Travel Vaccines to Protect Your Family

    Protect your child and family when traveling in the United States or abroad by: Getting the shots required for all countries you and your family plan to visit during your trip. Making sure you and your family are up-to-date on all routine U.S. vaccines. Staying informed about travel notices and alerts and how they can affect your family's ...

  18. CDC Yellow Book 2024

    CDC Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel is a resource for healthcare professionals providing care to international travelers. It compiles the US government's most current travel health guidelines, including pretravel vaccine recommendations, destination-specific health advice, and easy-to-reference maps, tables, and charts.

  19. Your Travel Vaccine Checklist

    Below is a list of vaccine-preventable travel-related diseases that are not covered by routine adult vaccinations: Hepatitis A. Hepatitis B. Typhoid and paratyphoid fever. Meningococcal disease ...

  20. Find a Clinic

    Call your doctor or local health department to see if they can provide pre-travel advice, vaccines, and medicines. List of health departments. Travel Medicine Clinics. If you want to see a travel medicine specialist, the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) can help you find a clinic.

  21. Travel Vaccines: When to Get Them, Side Effects, and Cost

    Some travel vaccines are given more often than others. For instance, the yellow fever vaccine offers lifelong protection for most people. But typhoid vaccine boosters are recommended every 2 to 5 years. The typical yellow fever vaccine cost is around $170 — but this can vary by clinic and location. GoodRx can help make your travel vaccines ...

  22. PDF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND HEALTH 12 MAY 2021 Country list1

    yellow fever vaccination of all travellers in high-risk working conditions (e.g. extractive industries such as mining or forestry in areas at risk for yellow fever). Yellow fever vaccination protects both the worker and others. Vaccination may help prevent international spread if these workers return to their home countries.

  23. Travel vaccinations

    Travel vaccinations. When travelling outside Canada, you may be at risk for a number of vaccine preventable illnesses. You should consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before you travel. This is an opportunity to: review your immunization history. make sure your provincial/territorial vaccination ...

  24. Travel Vaccinations

    In this series: Hepatitis A Vaccine Hepatitis B Vaccine Rabies Vaccine Tick-borne Encephalitis Vaccine Typhoid Vaccine Yellow Fever Vaccine. Travel vaccinations are an essential part of holiday and travel planning, particularly if your journey takes you to an exotic destination or 'off the beaten track'. The risks are not restricted to tropical ...

  25. Understanding the CDC's Updated COVID Isolation Guidance

    Second, we know immunity after vaccination wanes over a few months, so an additional dose will provide renewed protection through the spring. New COVID variants like JN.1 that are circulating now have some mutations that improve their ability to evade vaccine-induced immunity, but the antibodies made through vaccination still recognize them.

  26. How to check if you need a measles vaccine, as cases occur in Canada

    The discovery of measles cases in several provinces is prompting public health officials to recommend Canadians check their vaccination status before travelling abroad. Ten cases of measles have ...

  27. Measles in the United States

    Vaccination with MMR is the best and safest way to prevent measles. When both doses of MMR vaccine are given (typically when the child is about 1 and 4 years old), MMR is 97% effective at preventing measles. ... With spring break travel coming up and people going to and coming from countries that have seen sharp upticks in measles cases, the ...

  28. Health officials urge Canadians to check on measles vaccination status

    With March Break travel on the horizon, health officials continue to urge Canadians to make sure their measles vaccinations are up-to-date. It comes as the World Health organization notes an alarming increase in cases in Europe with some concerning cases in Canada as well.

  29. Visa Bulletin For April 2024

    Number 88 Volume X Washington, D.C. View as Printer Friendly PDF. A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during April for: "Final Action Dates" and "Dates for Filing Applications," indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.

  30. St. Lucia Introduces New Entry Requirement for Visitors

    The new Electronic Immigration Form, requires travelers to submit their itinerary and contact information within 72 hours of arrival. The form also asks the nature of travel, such as business ...