Plan ahead for healthy and safe international travel.
Travelers to third world countries are at greater risk than those who travel to developed countries, but anyone planning overseas travel should check for recommended vaccinations before departing.
Health considerations overseas
When traveling to developing countries, all the following need to be considered:
- Your current vaccination status
- Documentation of your immunization history
- Who will be traveling (children, adolescents, adults) that may have different vaccination needs
- Trip destination details, including any stopovers or plane changes
- The duration of the trip
- Accommodations (hotel, hospice, friends, mission, etc.)
- Required versus recommended vaccines
- Travelers with special medical or physical needs
- Careful behavior and sensible precautions when you arrive
International health conditions
You can find information regarding International travel and recommended vaccinations in the Travelers' Health section of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web site.
Schedule travel vaccinations
Always plan on obtaining the necessary travel vaccinations well in advance of your trip — at least 6 weeks. Our Epidemiology division at (601) 576-7725 can answer your international travel questions and advise you on necessary vaccinations. (There is a charge for the vaccines as well as an administration fee.)
Where to get vaccinations
In Mississippi, travel vaccinations may be obtained at one of our designated Travel and Yellow Fever clinics.
Because of unavailability of YF-Vax Yellow Fever vaccine until mid-2018, the manufacturer (Sanofi Pasteur) has worked with the CDC to make an alternative yellow fever vaccine, Stamaril, available at selected locations until YF-Vax supply returns in mid-2018. These sites can be found at:
Other resources
You'll need a copy of your birth certificate to obtain a passport.
You can apply for and receive a passport at Jackson's downtown Post Office, located at 401 East South Street. For more information on passport availability locations, contact the Post Office.
The U.S. State Department offers travel advisories and general passport information.
