Older adults and healthy international travel

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

If you are an older adult considering international travel, learn what precautions to take to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

Before you travel

Check the CDC’s destination pages for travel health information at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.

Check the CDC’s webpage for your destination to see what vaccines or medicines you may need and what diseases or health risks are a concern at your destination at
www.cdc.gov/vaccines/by-age/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/index.html.

Make an appointment with your healthcare provider or a travel health specialist (wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/find-clinic) that takes place at least 4-6 weeks before you leave. They can help you get destination-specific vaccines, medicines, and information. Discussing your health concerns, itinerary, and planned activities with your provider allows them to give more specific advice and recommendations.

Make sure to bring a copy of your official immunization records with you when you travel.

Tell your doctor about:
• Any chronic medical conditions such as hypertension and asthma.
• All destinations that you will be visiting
• The types of accommodations where you will be staying such as hotels, hostels, short term rentals, boats, camping etc.
• The purpose of your trip such as to visit friends and relatives, business, or adventure travel.
• The timing and length of your trip.
• Planned activities, such as climbing at high altitudes, scuba diving, humanitarian aid work, or taking cruises
• All medications that you are taking.
• Make sure you are up to date with all of your routine vaccines

Some routine vaccines for older adults include pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine, zoster or shingles vaccine, and an annual flu shot. Learn more about what routine vaccines are recommended for adults at
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/by-age/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/index.html.

Take recommended medicines as directed. If your doctor prescribes medicine for you, take the medicine as directed before, during, and after travel. Counterfeit drugs are common in some countries, so only take medicine that you bring from home, and make sure to pack enough for the duration of your trip, plus extra in case of travel delays. Learn more about traveling abroad with medicine at
wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travel-abroad-with-medicine.

Keep a paper or electronic record of your medical history with you during travel.

Cruise Ship Travel

Cruises are popular among older adults. However, cruise ships can create an ideal situation for diseases to spread. Common diseases that spread on cruise ships include norovirus, that can cause diarrhea and vomiting, and respiratory diseases like influenza and COVID-19. To help prevent getting sick, make sure to wash your hands often, especially before eating and after using the bathroom. Wash your hands before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

If you feel sick before your voyage, reschedule your trip. If you feel sick during your voyage, report your symptoms to the ship’s medical facility and follow their recommendations.

Plan for the Unexpected

Get travel insurance. Find out if your health insurance covers medical care abroad. Travelers are usually responsible for paying hospital and other medical expenses out of pocket at most destinations. Make sure you have a plan to get care overseas, in case you need it. Consider buying additional insurance that covers health care and emergency evacuation, especially if you will be traveling to remote areas.

There are different types of travel insurance such as trip cancellation insurance, travel health insurance and medical evacuation insurance. Learn more about travel insurance at
wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/health-care-during-travel.

Enroll with the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at
mytravel.state.gov/s/step. Check for and monitor any travel advisories for your destination. Enrolling also ensures that the US Department of State knows where you are if you have serious legal, medical, or financial difficulties while traveling. In the event of an emergency at home, STEP can also help friends and family contact you.

Learn basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit; learn more at
wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/pack-smart. Learn the numbers for emergency services in the destination you are visiting.

If you need medical care abroad, see Getting Health Care During Travel at
wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/health-care-during-travel.

After Travel

If you traveled and feel sick, particularly if you have a fever, talk to a healthcare provider and tell them about any areas you recently traveled to.