Preparing Your Family for International Travel
Traveling With Your Child
When going about our daily routine, it is easy to forget that other parts of the world may have different health concerns and diseases. However, when traveling internationally with your family, these risks become important to consider. Specialized guidance and preventive care can help protect your child’s health while abroad.
At Capital Area Pediatrics, we take the health of traveling families seriously. Our providers offer travel consultations to help prepare your family with destination-specific recommendations, vaccinations, and preventative health strategies.
To schedule an appointment with a CAP pediatrician and begin planning for your trip, find your nearest location and contact us today.
Travel consultations and the vaccines typically recommended for international travel are not covered services under most insurance plans. Capital Area Pediatrics will request payment in full for these services and will not submit them to insurance. Please reference the service authorization form for recommended services and associated fees.
Travel Health Preparation
What Is a Travel Consultation?
A travel consultation is a medical appointment designed to review the health considerations for an upcoming trip. During the visit, the doctor evaluates the traveler’s itinerary, medical history, destination-specific risks, and any personal concerns. Based on this information, the provider may recommend vaccinations, medications, and safety guidance to help reduce the risk of illness while traveling.
What Factors Are Considered During the Appointment?
Several factors influence the recommendations made during a travel consultation, including:
- Age
- Sex
- Destination
- Health history
- Season of travel
- Type of accommodations
- Planned travel activities
- Length of stay
Frequently Asked Questions
When should a travel consultation be scheduled?
Travel consultations should ideally be scheduled at least two weeks prior to departure. Scheduling earlier is recommended whenever possible, as some vaccines or medications may require additional time to take effect before travel.
Do travel consultations include vaccines?
Yes. Travel consultations may include recommended vaccinations based on your destination. Examples of vaccines and preventative medications available through Capital Area Pediatrics include:
- Typhoid Vaccination (oral or injectable depending on availability): Typhoid fever is a bacterial illness spread through contaminated food and water or close contact. Vaccination is recommended at least one to two weeks prior to travel. If you were vaccinated previously, ask your doctor if a booster is needed.
- Yellow Fever: Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness found in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa and South America. Symptoms may include fever, jaundice, and in severe cases organ failure. The Yellow Fever vaccine is only available at the Capital Area Pediatrics Vienna location.
- Malaria Prevention: Malaria is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease that can be life-threatening if untreated. Families traveling to areas with high malaria risk may be prescribed antimalarial medications to take before, during, and after travel.
- Catch-up vaccines such as Hepatitis A, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), and Tetanus or Tdap may also be recommended depending on your child’s immunization history.
What should I know about travel consults at Capital Area Pediatrics?
The Vienna location is the only Capital Area Pediatrics site that offers all travel vaccines on site. We are also able to vaccinate immediate family members, including both children and parents.
During your appointment, please bring:
- A complete immunization record
- Your travel itinerary
- A list of current medications
If your child has chronic medical conditions, our team can help ensure you are prepared for travel. We can provide medication refills if needed and discuss emergency care planning should medical issues arise while overseas.
For more information about travel consultations and scheduling, please visit our Specialty Services page.