Travel Abroad

Preparation for Healthy Travel and Study Abroad

The Student Health Center provides information and advice to students for international travel, both for a study abroad program and leisure. Students can make an appointment with a SHC provider for travel education, immunizations, medications, and pre- and post-travel health exams necessary for worldwide destinations.

Travel appointment tips

  • Plan well in advance. If possible begin two to six months before your departure date since some immunizations require more than one shot spaced a specific time apart.
  • Complete the pre-travel visit worksheet (PDF) and locate your current immunization records.
  • Fax to 573-884-8902 or email the completed worksheet with a copy of your immunization records to the Student Health Center.
    • Note: We can only reply to your University of Missouri email account.
  • After documentations are received, a Student Health Center staff member will contact you to set up an appointment with a primary care provider. The appointment may take up to one hour.
  • There is a charge for travel visits.
  • Visit the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) web site for more traveling/studying abroad tips.

General Physical Exam

  • Before a travel abroad experience, a student should consider having a general physical exam done by their primary care provider.
  • This is especially important for students with a chronic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma or immune system problems.

Routine Immunizations

  • Students verify that all of their routine immunizations are up to date.
  • Prior to an appointment, each student should attempt to locate childhood and adult immunization records including:
    • Td (Tetanus/Diphtheria) or Tdap within the past 5-10 years
    • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): two doses
    • Polio
      • Completion of primary series as a child
      • Booster may be needed depending on your travel destination
    • Hepatitis B: three-dose series recommended for every college student
    • Hepatitis A: two-dose series recommended for every college student traveling outside the United States
    • Meningococcal Meningitis: if living in a dormitory setting
    • Chickenpox: immunity protection either by disease, blood test or vaccine
    • Pneumococcal: for those with certain chronic health conditions
    • Influenza: recommended yearly for every college student