Where Canadians are Traveling this Summer — And What Vaccines may be Needed

Summer is a busy season for travel for Canadians, with travelers heading everywhere from tropical beaches and cultural hotspots to wildlife adventures and backpacking destinations. While planning flights and accommodations often takes priority, travel health preparation is an essential step you should not miss.

Different destinations come with different health risks, and some vaccines require several weeks to provide optimal protection. Whether you're planning months ahead or leaving next week, here are some things you should know before your trip.

Do I need travel vaccines?

Many diseases that are uncommon in Canada remain prevalent in other parts of the world. Travel vaccines help protect you from illnesses that can disrupt your trip, require medical treatment abroad, or lead to serious health complications.

While some infections may cause only mild symptoms, others can lead to hospitalization, long-term health complications, or interruptions to your travel plans.

Travel health recommendations are not based solely on the country you're visiting. Risk levels can vary significantly between urban centers, resort areas, rural communities, and remote regions within the same country. Activities such as hiking, camping, volunteering, animal encounters, or visiting friends and relatives may also increase your exposure to certain diseases.

Your vaccine recommendations depend on factors such as:

• Destination and region

• Length of stay

• Type of accommodation

• Planned activities

• Current health status

• Previous vaccination history

  
  

A travel health consultation with a medical professional can help determine which vaccines and preventive measures are appropriate for your itinerary.

Top Summer Destinations for Canadians and Common Health Risks

Mexico

Mexico remains one of the most popular summer destinations for Canadians, whether visiting all-inclusive resorts, historic cities, or rural regions.

Common Health Risks Include:

• Hepatitis A

• Traveler's diarrhea

• Food and water-borne illnesses

• Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika, etc.

Vaccines That May Be Recommended:

• Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis B

• Typhoid

• Routine vaccines (tetanus, measles, influenza, COVID-19 if applicable)

Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, etc.)

Southeast Asia continues to attract Canadians seeking beaches, cultural experiences, and backpacking adventures. Each region contains a wide variety of cultures, languages, religions, and cuisines.

Common Health Risks Include:

• Hepatitis A

• Typhoid

• Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, malaria (depending on region)

• Food and water-borne illnesses

• Rabies (for long-term travelers or those spending time around animals)

  
  

Vaccines That May Be Recommended:

• Hepatitis A & B

• Typhoid

• Rabies (for high-risk travelers)

• Japanese Encephalitis (for certain rural or extended stays)

• Chikungunya (depending on length of stay, presence of outbreak, etc.)

Peru

Adventure travelers visiting Peru often combine city visits with trekking, archaeological sites, and rainforest excursions.

Common Health Risks Include:

• Hepatitis A

• Typhoid

• Yellow Fever (certain regions)

• Malaria (certain regions)

• Altitude-related illness

• Food and water-borne infections

  
  

Vaccines That May Be Recommended:

• Hepatitis A & B

• Typhoid

• Yellow Fever (depending on itinerary)

• Rabies (for high-risk travelers)

Kenya and East Africa

Safari travel remains a bucket-list experience for many Canadians.

Common Health Risks:

• Malaria

• Yellow Fever

• Typhoid

• Hepatitis A

• Food and water-borne illnesses

Vaccines That May Be Recommended:

• Hepatitis A & B

• Typhoid

• Yellow Fever

• Cholera

• Meningococcal vaccine (depending on region)

• Polio (depending on region and length of stay)

• Rabies (depending on itinerary)

Additional Prevention

Many travelers may require prescription malaria prevention medication in addition to mosquito bite prevention measures.

Europe

Many travelers assume Europe requires no travel health preparation. While vaccine requirements are generally minimal, routine immunizations remain important.

Common Health Risks:

• Measles and polio outbreaks in some regions

• Tick-borne illnesses such as tick-borne encephalitis, or Lyme disease

• Food and water-borne illnesses

  
  

Vaccines That May Be Recommended:

• Update on routine vaccines such as tetanus/diphtheria, measles, polio, influenza, and Covid, if applicable

How far in advance should I book a travel consultation?

Ideally, travelers should schedule a travel health consultation 6–8 weeks before departure. This provides enough time to complete any multi-dose vaccine series, receive destination-specific health recommendations, and plan for preventive medications such as antimalarials if needed.

Booking 4–6 weeks before travel is still ideal for most destinations and allows sufficient time for recommended vaccinations to take effect. Even if your trip is approaching quickly, it's not too late to benefit from a consultation. Many vaccines can still provide meaningful protection when administered 1–3 weeks before departure.

If you're leaving in less than a week, don't cancel your appointment. A travel health consultation can still be valuable, as some vaccines—such as Hepatitis A and Typhoid—may offer protection even when given shortly before travel. Healthcare providers can also advise on malaria prevention medications that can be started just days before entering a risk area, provide guidance on mosquito bite prevention and food and water safety, and help ensure you have any necessary travel health documentation before you leave.

Final Travel Health Tips

Before you pack your bags:

✓ Check your routine immunizations are up to date.

✓ Schedule a travel health consultation as soon as your trip is booked.

✓ Research destination-specific health risks.

✓ Pack insect repellent (Icaridin or DEET) and sun protection.

✓ Carry prescription medications in their original containers.

✓ Purchase comprehensive travel insurance.

Most importantly, don't assume you're "too late" for travel vaccines. Even last-minute travelers can often benefit from vaccinations, preventive medications, and personalized travel health advice. A little preparation before departure can help ensure your summer vacation is remembered for the right reasons.