Booking flights and hotels is the fun part. Making sure you don't come home sick? That's the part most travelers skip — and regret. Use this checklist to make sure you're fully prepared before your next international trip.
6–8 Weeks Before Departure
- ☐ Book a travel health consultation — a pharmacist will assess your specific itinerary and create a personalized vaccine and prevention plan
- ☐ Start multi-dose vaccine series — Hepatitis B (3 doses), Rabies (2–3 doses), and Japanese Encephalitis (2 doses) need this lead time
- ☐ Check your passport — make sure it's valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates
- ☐ Review your health insurance — does your plan cover medical emergencies abroad? Consider supplemental travel medical insurance
4 Weeks Before Departure
- ☐ Get single-dose vaccines — Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, and Meningococcal all provide protection within 2 weeks
- ☐ Start antimalarial medication if needed — Mefloquine should be started 2–3 weeks before departure
- ☐ Complete Dukoral series — two oral doses taken 1 week apart for cholera and traveler's diarrhea protection
- ☐ Verify routine vaccines are current — Tetanus, MMR, Polio, and COVID-19 boosters
1–2 Weeks Before Departure
- ☐ Start Malarone or Doxycycline if prescribed — begin 1–2 days before entering the malaria zone
- ☐ Pack your travel health kit: DEET insect repellent (20%+), sunscreen, oral rehydration salts, anti-diarrhea medication, pain/fever relief, antihistamines, hand sanitizer, standby antibiotics (if prescribed), motion sickness medication, altitude medication (if applicable)
- ☐ Make copies of your vaccination records — carry physical and digital copies, especially your Yellow Fever certificate if required
- ☐ Set up medication reminders — daily antimalarials need to be taken consistently
Day of Departure
- ☐ Take your antimalarial medication with food
- ☐ Pack medications in carry-on — never check prescription medications in luggage
- ☐ Carry your vaccination certificate in your passport holder
- ☐ Download your destination's embassy contact info for emergencies
During Your Trip
- ☐ Apply insect repellent daily (especially at dusk and dawn)
- ☐ Drink only bottled or purified water — avoid ice in drinks
- ☐ Eat freshly cooked, hot food — avoid raw vegetables, unpeeled fruits, and buffet food that's been sitting out
- ☐ Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer
- ☐ Avoid contact with stray animals
- ☐ Continue antimalarial medication for the full course (7 or 28 days after leaving the malaria zone, depending on the medication)
Need Help Preparing?
This checklist is a starting point, but every trip is different. A professional travel health consultation covers everything specific to your destinations, activities, and health history. Book yours today at Imagine Health Pharmacy in South Calgary.
📍 #4120 – 15 Sunpark Plaza SE, Calgary, AB T2X 0M5
📞 (403) 910-3990
🌐 Book a Travel Health Consultation
Plan Your Trip by Destination
Use our destination-specific travel health guides to find the exact vaccines and precautions you need:
- Thailand Travel Vaccines — Malaria, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis A
- India Travel Vaccines — Typhoid, hepatitis A, rabies, malaria in some regions
- Kenya Travel Vaccines — Yellow fever required, malaria, typhoid, meningitis
- Jamaica Travel Vaccines — Hepatitis A, typhoid (no malaria risk)
- Mexico Travel Vaccines — Typhoid, hepatitis A, malaria in rural areas
- Vietnam Travel Vaccines — Typhoid, hepatitis A, malaria, Japanese encephalitis
- Brazil Travel Vaccines — Yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A, malaria in Amazon
- South Africa Travel Vaccines — Yellow fever (if arriving from endemic area), malaria