Travel Abroad

Travel increases the risk of exposure to COVID-19; therefore, everyone is encouraged to carefully review this guidance before engaging in any form of travel to or from the University of Missouri campus.

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