Traveler Immunizations

Many of the diseases that have been eliminated in the United States are still common in other parts of the world. When traveling outside the United States, it is important to ensure your health is protected.

In addition to providing specific vaccines needed based on your destination, such as yellow fever and typhoid, the health department also provides prescriptions for anti-malaria medicine and critical information on general safety issues, travel alerts, and health information from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As soon as you know you will be traveling outside the U.S., you can visit the Travelers’ Health website. Prior to making an appointment, this will help you have an idea of what type of vaccines may be required or recommended for your travel.

Additionally, when you call to schedule your travel appointment with one of our travel clinics located in Bartow or Lakeland, the travel nurses can answer any questions you may have to help you identify what vaccines may be needed before you travel.

It can take several weeks or months to complete the series of vaccinations, so you should call well ahead of your planned departure date.

Travel vaccination visits are by appointment only. No walk-ins for these visits.

Travel vaccination visits require a $40 visit fee. Most travel vaccinations may also have fees associated with them. When you call to schedule your appointment, you can ask about the fees before your visit. We take most forms of payment. Travel appointments can take approximately up to one hour for the visit. Please fill out this form before your appointment and bring it to your appointment with you: Travel Vaccine Questionnaire.

For travel vaccination appointments, please call 863-519-7910. Press option 3 for medical services and then press option 1 to speak to our call center. If it goes to voicemail, please leave a message specifying your interest in a travel immunizations appointment and your call will be returned. Once you speak with a member of our call center, let them know which location you would like to go to for your travel appointment and they will assist you.

Travel Vaccination Locations and Appointment Days

Lakeland Health Department

3241 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33805
Travel appointments only on Tuesdays
Travel nurse: 863-940-5166

Specialty Care Clinic/Bartow Immunizations Program Office

1255 Brice Blvd., Bartow, FL 33830
Travel appointments only on Wednesdays
Travel nurse: 863-578-2225

Yellow Fever Vaccine

Yellow fever vaccine is often required or highly recommended for some countries you are interested in visiting. The yellow fever vaccine is for those ages 9 months and older. This live virus vaccine contains some egg components. If you are seeking a yellow fever vaccine, speak to your doctor first.

Anyone in need of a yellow fever vaccine must bring a note from their primary care provider on the day of the travel immunization visit. This note must state that the yellow fever vaccine can be administered to you. Failure to provide this note may result in the denial of the vaccine during your travel vaccine visit.

Vaccine longevity as of 2013-2014
In 2013-2014, the World Health Organization changed the longevity for the yellow fever vaccine for entry requirements. Previously, the vaccine was only good for 10 years. As of 2013-2014, according to the WHO, after 10 days of receiving the vaccine, you are fully protected, and it is now considered good through life.

For those vaccinated prior to 2013-2014
If you had a yellow fever vaccination before 2013-2014, and your yellow fever certificate/booklet states “good for 10 years,” your travel nurse can provide you with a Yellow Fever Resolution Sheet published by the WHO. Attach this sheet with your yellow fever certificate/booklet for validity when you’re ready to travel.

If you have lost or misplaced your yellow fever vaccination booklet and need a replacement booklet, you MUST return to the original county you received the yellow fever vaccination from.