Travel Health

Travel health

Need travel vaccines or medications? We can help.

No matter where you're headed, we can help with essential travel health advice and pharmacy services before your trip.

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Consult a health care provider

Wondering how to get travel vaccines and medications at Vons? Start a Travel Health Consultation* with one of our pharmacists** who can provide recommendations based on where you're traveling.

Tell us about your destination

There could be different travel vaccine requirements or health risks based on where you're going.

 

We'll recommend what you need

During your consultation, a pharmacist can tell you which travel vaccines or medications you may need.

            

Get vaccines and meds at your store

Make an appointment at your nearest Vons location, and our trained pharmacy staff will administer your vaccines.

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*The cost of our service is $60. You can pay during your appointment at the pharmacy. Also, check with your insurance to see if they cover the cost.

**In states where permitted.

Please note: Allow as much time as possible before your trip, as some travel immunization series need to be started a few weeks or even months before travel. Age restrictions vary by state. See pharmacy for details.

Why do a Travel Health Consultation with us?

We know that traveling can be both exciting and stressful. Our job is to help you avoid health risks on your trip, often with preventive care. Save time and get your travel vaccinations, medications and over-the-counter items with one trip to your local Vons.
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Fast facts on common travel vaccines

Cholera

Cholera in travelers is rare. Visit the CDC for a list of areas with active cholera transmission and current cholera vaccine availability. You can protect yourself from cholera by choosing safer food and drinks while traveling and washing your hands often.              

Hepatitis A

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect against hepatitis A. The hepatitis A vaccine is very effective and has been a routine childhood vaccine since 1996. It's recommended for international travelers 6 months or older going to countries where hepatitis A is common.

Japanese Encephalitis

Travelers to some parts of Asia and the Western Pacific are at risk if bitten by an infected mosquito. However, for most travelers the chance of this is low. The CDC recommends the vaccine for travelers who spend long periods of time in areas with Japanese encephalitis.

Meningitis

Getting the vaccine is the best way to protect against meningococcal meningitis. You may need a MenACWY vaccine or booster, depending on your travel plans and current vaccine status. The CDC recommends it when traveling to the meningitis belt in sub-Saharan Africa.

Polio

Polio has been eliminated from most of the world but still occurs in some countries. Most adults in the U.S. were vaccinated as children. The CDC says travelers to countries where there is an increased risk may receive a one-time booster dose of IPV before traveling.

Rabies

In certain areas of the world, including but not limited to parts of Africa, Asia, and Central and South America, rabies in dogs is still a major problem. Dog bites are how most travelers get rabies. The vaccine is given in two shots with the second dose given seven days after the first.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis

Travelers to many parts of Europe and Asia may be at risk for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) infection. A TBE vaccine may be recommended for those traveling to a TBE-endemic area who might engage in outdoor activities where ticks are found.
 

Typhoid

CDC recommends vaccination for people traveling to places where typhoid fever is common, such as South Asia, especially India, Pakistan or Bangladesh. Schedule your pre-travel consultation with us at least one month before traveling to discuss your typhoid fever vaccine options.

Yellow Fever

Travelers going to certain parts of South America and Africa are at risk for infection with yellow fever, a virus spread by mosquitoes. Some countries may even require proof of vaccination upon entry. The CDC says to plan to get the vaccine at least 10 days before your travel.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Common travel medications you may consider for your trip

Altitude sickness medicine

Multiple travel medications, predominantly antihistamines, are available to prevent and treat altitude sickness. Our Travel Health Pharmacists will discuss them with you.

Antimalarials

If you're traveling to a country where malaria is present, you may be at risk for infection. We can help you understand the wide variety of available antimalarial medications. 

Motion sickness medicine

Anyone traveling is at risk for motion sickness. Luckily, there are several common medications to help treat it. We'll talk you through them.
 

Travelers' diarrhea medicine

According to the CDC, travelers' diarrhea is the most predictable travel-related illness. We can help you select from several common travel medications that help fight travelers' diarrhea.

Travel Health Consultation

Get travel-ready in three easy steps

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1. Create a health profile

Start by answering some questions about your health and travel plans. Our pharmacists will review your answers for the best, personalized advice. 

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2. Chat with a pharmacist

A pharmacist will reach out in a few days for a 15-minute phone call to discuss travel vaccines and medications. We'll also schedule your appointment.

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3. Stop by the pharmacy

Attend your Travel Health Consultation appointment at your local pharmacy to receive travel vaccinations, medications and over-the-counter items for your trip.

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The cost of our service is $60. You can pay during your appointment at the pharmacy. Also, check with your insurance to see if they cover the cost.

Please note: Allow as much time as possible before your trip, as some immunization series need to be started a few weeks or even months before travel. Age restrictions vary by state. See pharmacy for details.

 

Get in touch

Before your Travel Health Consultation

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What questions will we ask?

Tell us about your travel plans to help us identify any possible health risks to avoid. We'll also ask about your health, medications and immunization history. You also can list your insurance coverage.

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Which services will we recommend? 

When you talk with our pharmacists, they usually recommend three types of services: travel medications, travel immunizations and/or over-the-counter travel items. 

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What does insurance cover?

Our travel consultation costs $60, but check with your insurance to see if they cover it. Our staff will also work with your insurance to get the best pricing on your travel vaccines and oral medications.

Travel health 101

Advice for travelers

The best way to avoid health problems is to get your travel immunizations, medicines and other items before you leave. 

Get up-to-date routine vaccinations

Before you travel may be the perfect time to get caught up on routine vaccines, including COVID-19, shingles, tetanus or HPV. Visit our vaccine scheduler page to learn more.

Prepare a travel kit with the essentials

You'll want to carry the health items you can't easily get at your destination. You could include your prescriptions and over-the-counter medications in your kit. 

Leave enough time to prepare

Plan ahead to get the recommended travel vaccines and medications before leaving for your trip. Some vaccines, like the one for yellow fever, require time to develop immunity. 
 

Plan for the unexpected

Sometimes, things come up when you travel. You and your travel companions may consider travel health insurance if your insurance doesn't cover medical care abroad. Also, you could give copies of travel documents to someone at home.

Questions? Travel health FAQs

It depends on where you’re traveling and what you’ll do there. Schedule a Travel Health Consultation and we’ll help you get the necessary travel vaccines and medications before your trip.

Coverage varies by provider. Regardless of the destination, all travelers should be current on routine vaccinations, typically covered by insurance.

 

Some commonly prescribed and over-the-counter medicines can be illegal in other countries. Check with the embassy or consulate in the country you’ll be visiting to see if your medicines are permitted.