Most travellers book flights three months out, then delay the health consultation. Vaccines need lead time. Here's how much, by destination, plus the medications worth packing. When you're ready, come see us at the travel clinic inside our West Edmonton pharmacy.
Why the 6 to 8 week window matters
Vaccine timelines vary. Single-dose options like hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus take effect within two weeks. Multi-dose vaccines need real planning:
- Hepatitis B. Standard series spans six months. Accelerated schedules compress to 21 days but require a 12-month booster.
- Rabies pre-exposure. Three doses over 3 to 4 weeks.
- Japanese encephalitis. Two doses minimum four weeks apart, last dose at least one week before travel.
Book the consultation 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Even with 2 to 3 weeks' notice, partial single-dose protection beats nothing. Call us, we'll work within whatever window you have.
Mexico, Caribbean, Central America
Popular Canadian destinations with established guidance.
- Hepatitis A and typhoid recommended regardless of lodging type
- Hepatitis B for unvaccinated travellers facing potential medical care, sexual contact, or activities like tattoos
- Rural travel: rabies pre-exposure and region-specific malaria prophylaxis
- Travellers' diarrhoea standby prescription (azithromycin or ciprofloxacin) is worth carrying
Going to Mexico or Costa Rica? Our Mexico travel vaccine guide and Costa Rica travel vaccine guide go into more detail.
Southern Europe and the Mediterranean
Lower infectious disease risk than tropical destinations, but still:
- Confirm routine vaccinations are current: tetanus-diphtheria, MMR, polio
- Hepatitis A confirmation for adults missing childhood records
- Food safety and sun protection
Southeast Asia, India, and Africa
These warrant comprehensive itinerary-specific consultations. Likely interventions:
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid (oral or injectable)
- Japanese encephalitis
- Rabies pre-exposure
- Meningococcal meningitis (sub-Saharan focus)
- Malaria chemoprophylaxis
Yellow fever note: certificates require Public Health Agency of Canada designated centres only. We refer and coordinate, but we don't administer it on site.
South America
Yellow fever requirements vary by country and region. Some destinations require proof, others recommend it for jungle or rural travel only. Other considerations:
- Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, malaria prophylaxis based on destination
- Acetazolamide (Diamox) for high-altitude prevention above 3,400 m, common in Cusco or La Paz
What to bring to your travel-health consultation
- Complete itinerary: dates, all destinations, accommodation type, planned activities
- Immunisation records
- Alberta Health Card
- Current medication list
- Relevant medical conditions or allergies
Common travel medications
- Travellers' diarrhoea. Azithromycin or ciprofloxacin standby antibiotic.
- Nausea / motion sickness. Ondansetron (prescription) or dimenhydrinate (OTC).
- Altitude sickness. Acetazolamide (Diamox) for elevations above 2,500 m. Begin 1 to 2 days before ascent.
- Malaria. Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine, depending on destination resistance patterns.
Last-minute travel
Departures within two weeks are still worth a visit. Many single-dose vaccines provide meaningful protection within days, and most travel medications can be dispensed same day. Partial protection beats none.
Insurance and cost
Most Canadian private extended health plans cover travel vaccines. Alberta Blue Cross covers specific group plans. Without coverage, individual costs typically run $80 to $150 per dose. Family consultations available, direct billing for most plans.
Walk in or call
(780) 443-0202. Bring your itinerary and your immunisation history.