Travel Vaccine
The Immunization Program offers advice for travelers about vaccines, including immunization requirements and recommendations for travel to specific countries. We provide this counseling in-person at our downtown clinic. There is a $20 fee per consultation. This service is NOT provided over email.
If you have any questions, please call us at 412-578-8060 or visit our clinic downtown. See clinic location and hours.
Travel Vaccinations
Our vaccination clinic provides selected vaccines that are recommended for travel outside the United States. All vaccines are administered by our experienced team of Public Health Nurses.
Travel vaccine consultations are only offered in-person at our downtown clinic. There is a fee of $20 per consultation.
Please note: Our clinic is not a full-service travel medicine clinic and does not have travel medicine physicians on staff. We recommend medications for other travel-related issues such as diarrhea and/or malaria; however, you must call your primary care physician to obtain a prescription for these medications.
Forms of Payment
Vaccine fees for travel may be paid by cash, Visa, Mastercard, or Discover. Checks are not accepted. We also do not accept American Express. A fee will be charged for credit or debit card use. Prices for services are subject to change.
We are now able to accept most insurance coverage; please see the Accepted Insurance List(PDF, 1MB) to make sure your insurer is included. We are not able to accept health savings account or flexible spending account funds.
Note: If you intend to pay for services in cash or money order, please pay only the exact amount due. Change is not provided. Also, if using a debit/credit card an additional bank fee is charged. Please call 412-578-8060 for details on costs.
Malaria Prevention
Currently, there is no vaccine that protects against malaria; however, there are medications available to prevent the disease. We can help travelers determine if they need these preventive medications for malaria and which medications may work for their travel destinations.
The clinic is not able to dispense these medications or write prescriptions for them. Travelers must consult their private physicians to prescribe malaria medication. Questions concerning malaria medication’s long-term side effects, drug interactions, or impact on existing medical conditions should also be discussed with your health care provider.
If the Immunization Clinic does not provide a travel vaccine or service that you require, referrals can be made.
Travel Medicine Providers in the Area
International Travel and Immunizations
For residents of the United States, travel outside US borders may pose health hazards which are not present within the US. Some of these health hazards may come from differences in public health practices and some may be related to the natural occurrence of organisms not commonly found in the United States.
Many resources exist for those considering foreign travel:
Immunizations and Planning Ahead
Remember to plan ahead! Complete protection during travel to some locations requires administration of vaccines weeks or even months before your trip.
If you think you will be traveling outside the US, planning your health needs a year in advance is not too soon.
Traveling with Chronic Health Conditions
If you have an existing health condition, you should discuss your travel itinerary with your physician before you leave.
Remember that there are many popular destinations at altitudes which may be uncomfortable or even dangerous for patients with heart or blood diseases. Your doctor can recommend appropriate preparation for your trip.
Traveling with Your Medications
If you are on medication, plan to take printed copies of your prescriptions with you when you travel overseas, as well as sufficient medication for your trip plus some extra in case you are delayed.
Many medications available in the United States are not available overseas and some overseas versions of medications available in the US are not of the same quality.
Try and leave prescription medications in the bottles in which they were dispensed to minimize problems you may have at customs. Be aware that some medications freely available in other countries may not be importable into the United States so be cautious about what you purchase while abroad.
If you are taking prescription narcotics, you should plan to have documentation from your physician regarding your need for such medication.
If you must purchase medications when outside US territories, be sure to do so only from reputable pharmacies. Counterfeiting of medications has been known to occur and these counterfeit drugs may lack the potency of prescription drugs and may even be dangerous.
Traveling with Pets
Domestic pets exist all over the world, but the requirements for pet vaccinations are not uniform across the globe.
Many countries, including the United States, restrict or forbid the transport of animals and even plants over international borders. Some countries, like Canada, allow US visitors to bring pets, but only when they are accompanied by a certificate signed by a veterinarian who has examined the pet within 6 months of travel.
If you are looking to travel with your pet, the following resources may be helpful in planning an international trip:
Please note: Many countries require a quarantine period for certain animals which may far exceed the length of time you will be traveling. Please check with the foreign consular office(s) of the countries you will be visiting for more information on animal quarantine requirements.