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Introduction
When you travel abroad, your need for a particular vaccine depends on many factors, including your age, the season, the countries you'll be visiting, the length of your stay, the reason for your trip, your accommodations, your lifestyle and your overall health. Keep in mind that some vaccines aren't appropriate for children, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions. In addition, some can cause serious side effects. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the vaccines you'll need.

Click on the tabs to the left to learn more about vaccines for travelers.

Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine
The diphtheria vaccine is recommended for travel to Russia and the independent countries of the former Soviet Union, as well as parts of Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Central and South America.

Every traveler should be vaccinated against tetanus because even the smallest cut may expose you to the spores that cause this disease.

Children are usually immunized against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis using a combination vaccine that targets all three diseases. Adults may receive a tetanus-diphtheria booster (Td) every 10 years. If you're under 65, you can now get one lifetime dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) in place of one Td booster. You should not receive the Tdap vaccine if you are pregnant, currently ill, or have had Guillain-Barre syndrome within six weeks of receiving another tetanus-containing vaccine.

Polio
Vaccination against polio is recommended for travel to parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East and most areas of the former Soviet Union.

If you were never vaccinated, the recommended schedule is two doses of vaccine administered four to eight weeks apart, with a third dose six to 12 months later. If, like most people, you were vaccinated in childhood, you may want to consider a single, lifetime booster dose.

Measles
Travelers born after 1957 who have never been vaccinated against measles may want to consider the measles vaccine. Measles remains a common disease in many countries of the world, including some developed countries in Europe and Asia.

Yellow fever
This is recommended, and in some cases required, for travel to sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America. The risk is greater in Africa and somewhat lower in South America. The U.S. State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs can tell you whether your destination country requires proof of vaccination. In rare cases, severe and even fatal reactions to the yellow fever vaccine have occurred. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this shot.

Hepatitis A and B
Hepatitis A or immune globulin — This is recommended for travelers to all areas except Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and developed countries in Europe.

Hepatitis B — Regions with high rates of hepatitis B infection include Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, some Pacific islands, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Amazon region of South America. In these areas, you may be exposed to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) if you have unprotected sex with an infected partner, are exposed to blood during a medical or dental procedure, or receive a transfusion with blood that hasn't been tested for HBV. You may also become infected if you have medical, dental or other procedures using needles that aren't properly sterilized or use contaminated needles to inject drugs.

Rabies
Consider vaccination against rabies if you will be staying in a developing country longer than three months or are likely to have extensive contact with animals. Veterinary workers and people who work in city slums, where rabid dogs may roam freely, have the highest risk. The risk is minimal for most other travelers.

Japanese encephalitis
The risk of infection in travelers to Southeast Asia, India and Pakistan is generally low, though it increases during monsoon season. If you stay in an upscale hotel and have little contact with mosquitoes, your risk is minimal. It's greatest for campers in rural areas. This vaccine isn't routinely recommended and can cause serious side effects. It's best to discuss your risk at least six weeks before your trip with a doctor experienced in travel medicine.

Typhoid
Typhoid vaccine is recommended if you're staying three weeks or more on the Indian subcontinent or in other areas where food and water may not be safe. Even if you're vaccinated, you should take special precautions with food and water in India. The vaccine is given in four oral doses at 48-hour intervals or as a single injection administered at least two weeks before departure.

Meningitis
If you're traveling to certain countries in sub-Saharan Africa, you may be exposed to meningitis, especially if you have extensive contact with the local population. The risk is greatest during the dry season — December through June. Immunization is required for travelers to Mecca in Saudi Arabia during the annual hajj and the Umrah. You'll need one injection two weeks before departure.

Influenza
Annual flu shots are recommended if you are 50 and older or you have a weakened immune system or a chronic illness. Flu shots are also recommended for children ages 6 months to 59 months and for women who will be pregnant during flu season.

Pneumococcal disease
This group of diseases is found worldwide. You're at increased risk if you have a weakened immune system, diabetes, renal failure, or don't have a spleen. One lifetime dose of pneumococcal vaccine is usually all that's needed, though you may need a booster dose if you're at high risk.