This checklist is general information, not medical advice. Your needs depend on your health, your destination and your plans. A doctor, nurse or travel health clinic should make the final recommendations for you.
Most travel health problems are easier to prevent than to treat abroad. This checklist brings together what the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the UK's NHS and the World Health Organization (WHO) advise doing before a trip, in the order you'll need it.
1. Book a travel health appointment 4 to 6 weeks ahead
Both the CDC and the NHS advise getting travel health advice at least 4 to 6 weeks before you leave. That leaves time for vaccines that need more than one dose, or that take time to protect you.
The CDC suggests telling your provider about:
- any special conditions, such as pregnancy, allergies or long-term health problems;
- every destination on your itinerary;
- where you'll stay and how you'll travel;
- when you're going and for how long;
- what you plan to do there.
Leaving sooner than that?
Don't skip the appointment. The CDC's guidance for last-minute travellers is clear: "It is never too late for a pre-travel consultation." Several single-dose vaccines can still be given close to departure, and the advice alone is useful.
2. Check your routine vaccines
Travel is a good moment to catch up on the basics. The NHS says all travellers, including children, are recommended to be up to date with their standard vaccinations, such as measles.
3. Ask about vaccines for your destination
Which travel vaccines you need depends on where you're going and what you'll do. The CDC recommends checking its page for your destination to see which vaccines or medicines may be needed, and then discussing them with your provider.
Cost varies by country. In the UK, for example, the NHS says some travel vaccines, such as hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera and polio, can be given free, while others, such as hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis and yellow fever, have to be paid for. Ask your clinic what applies where you live.
4. Yellow fever: the certificate that can be checked at the border
Yellow fever is the only disease under the International Health Regulations for which countries may require proof of vaccination as a condition of entry. If you need it, you'll receive an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis. Keep it with your passport.
Two facts worth knowing, both from the WHO:
- One dose protects for life, and no booster is needed.
- The certificate is valid for life, starting 10 days after the date of vaccination. Since 11 July 2016, countries can't reject a valid certificate because more than ten years have passed, and they can't require a booster.
The 10-day rule matters when you plan: get vaccinated early enough for the certificate to be valid when you arrive.
5. Plan your medicines
Medicines cause more trouble at borders than people expect, because rules differ between countries. Guidance from NaTHNaC, the UK's national travel health service, says:
- Check the rules at your destination by contacting its embassy or high commission. Some medicines that are ordinary at home are controlled elsewhere.
- Carry a letter from your doctor listing your prescription medicines, especially for controlled drugs.
- Keep medicines in their original, labelled pharmacy packaging.
- Pack them in your hand luggage, including any bought over the counter.
- Bring enough for the whole trip, plus extra in case of delays or lost luggage. The CDC gives the same advice.
6. Pack a travel health kit
The CDC suggests a kit that includes:
- a mask;
- insect repellent;
- sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and aloe;
- alcohol-based hand sanitiser;
- water disinfection tablets;
- your health insurance card.
Add your usual medicines and anything your provider recommends for your destination.
7. Check your insurance
Find out what your health cover pays for abroad. The CDC advises considering extra insurance that covers health care and emergency evacuation, especially if you're going somewhere remote. Read what's excluded, such as pre-existing conditions or particular activities, before you buy.
8. Write down emergency contacts
The CDC recommends writing down the contact details of people and services you may need while abroad, and carrying them with you at all times. Include your insurer's emergency line, your doctor, and your country's embassy or consulate at your destination. US citizens can also enrol in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), as the CDC suggests.
The checklist at a glance
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 4 to 6 weeks before | Book a travel health appointment; check routine and destination vaccines |
| At the appointment | Share your health conditions, itinerary, accommodation and activities |
| At least 10 days before (if needed) | Yellow fever vaccination, so your certificate is valid on arrival |
| 1 to 2 weeks before | Check medicine rules at your destination; get a doctor's letter; buy insurance |
| Packing day | Medicines in original packaging in hand luggage; health kit; emergency contacts |
How far ahead should I see a doctor before travelling?
The CDC and the NHS both advise at least 4 to 6 weeks before you leave. If you're leaving sooner, the CDC says it is never too late for a pre-travel consultation.
Does my yellow fever certificate expire?
No. Under the International Health Regulations, as amended in 2016, the certificate is valid for life, starting 10 days after vaccination, and a booster can't be required for entry.
Can I pack my medicines in checked luggage?
Guidance from NaTHNaC is to carry medicines in your hand luggage, in their original labelled packaging, with enough for the whole trip plus extra for delays.
Do I need a doctor's letter for my medicines?
It's strongly advised, especially for controlled drugs. Also check your destination's rules with its embassy, because some medicines are restricted in certain countries.
Sources
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Before You Travel (checked September 30, 2026)
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — CDC Yellow Book: Last-Minute Travelers (checked September 30, 2026)
- NHS (UK National Health Service) — Travel vaccinations (checked September 30, 2026)
- NaTHNaC / TravelHealthPro — Medicines and travel (checked September 30, 2026)
- World Health Organization (WHO) — Yellow fever: fact sheet (checked September 30, 2026)
- World Health Organization (WHO) — Amendment to the International Health Regulations (2005), Annex 7 (yellow fever) (checked September 30, 2026)
About the author
Bookskies Editorial TeamBookskies uses AI for drafts and translations. This organizational byline does not identify a named expert or certify a human review. Check the guide’s sources and documented review status before relying on time-sensitive claims.
