Travel Vaccines for Babies & Toddlers

Planning international travel with your baby? Some destinations require additional vaccines or health precautions. Here is what you need to know to keep your little one safe abroad.

Content reviewed against published CDC, AAP, WHO guidelines

Last reviewed: July 2026 · Editorial policy

Last reviewed:

Key takeaways

  • Start planning travel vaccines 4-6 weeks before departure — some require multiple doses or time to take effect.
  • Being up to date on routine vaccines is the most important first step (many travel diseases are covered by the CDC schedule).
  • Some vaccines have minimum age requirements (Yellow Fever: 9 months; Typhoid injectable: 2 years).
  • A travel medicine specialist can create a personalized plan based on your destination, trip length, and baby's age.
  • CDC.gov/travel has destination-specific recommendations that are regularly updated.

First Step: Be Up to Date on Routine Vaccines

Before thinking about travel-specific vaccines, make sure your baby is current on all routine CDC-recommended immunizations. Many diseases that seem "exotic" are actually covered by the standard schedule:

  • Measles (MMR) — outbreaks are common in many countries
  • Hepatitis B — endemic in parts of Asia and Africa
  • Polio (IPV) — still circulating in some regions
  • Hepatitis A — common in developing countries (routine at 12 months)
  • Rotavirus — a leading cause of severe diarrhea worldwide

If your baby is behind on any routine vaccines, catch up before traveling. An accelerated schedule may be possible — ask your pediatrician.

Travel-Specific Vaccines for Young Children

Hepatitis A

Minimum age: 12 months (routine CDC schedule). For travel before 12 months, a dose can be given as early as 6 months but does not count toward the routine series.

Where: Central/South America, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Middle East.

Yellow Fever

Minimum age: 9 months (6 months only during outbreaks per CDC guidance). Required for entry to certain countries.

Where: Parts of Africa and South America. Check country-specific requirements.

Note: This is a live vaccine. If your baby needs MMR or varicella around the same time, they must be given on the same day or 28+ days apart.

Typhoid

Minimum age: 2 years (injectable Vi polysaccharide). Oral vaccine: 6 years.

Where: South Asia (highest risk), parts of Africa, Central/South America.

For children under 2: Prevention relies on safe food and water practices.

Japanese Encephalitis

Minimum age: 2 months (Ixiaro vaccine).

Where: Rural areas of East/Southeast Asia, Western Pacific. Primarily for stays longer than 1 month in endemic areas.

Rabies (Pre-exposure)

Minimum age: No strict minimum. Consider for travel to areas where rabies is common and medical care is limited.

Where: Parts of Asia, Africa, Central/South America where animal bites (especially dogs) are a risk and rabies immune globulin may not be available locally.

Meningococcal Vaccine

Minimum age: 2 months (MenACWY for high-risk; routine at 11-12 years).

Where: Required for Hajj/Umrah travel to Saudi Arabia. Recommended for the "meningitis belt" of sub-Saharan Africa.

Malaria & Other Non-Vaccine Prevention

Some travel health threats do not have routine travel vaccines for young children and require other prevention strategies:

Malaria

  • Antimalarial medication (some safe from birth; consult travel medicine specialist)
  • DEET-based insect repellent (safe for babies 2+ months, 10-30% concentration)
  • Permethrin-treated bed nets and clothing
  • Stay in screened or air-conditioned rooms
  • Cover arms and legs at dusk and dawn

Traveler's Diarrhea

  • Use bottled or boiled water for drinking and mixing formula
  • Avoid ice, raw produce, and street food
  • Bring oral rehydration salts (ORS) for dehydration management
  • Continue breastfeeding — it provides some protective antibodies

Travel Health Checklist

  • Check CDC.gov/travel for destination-specific recommendations
  • Schedule a travel medicine consultation 4-6 weeks before departure
  • Ensure all routine vaccines are up to date (accelerate if needed)
  • Obtain destination-specific vaccines as recommended
  • Get prescriptions for antimalarials if traveling to malaria zones
  • Pack insect repellent, ORS packets, and any needed medications
  • Carry a copy of your baby's immunization record
  • Research healthcare facilities at your destination
  • Consider travel health insurance that covers medical evacuation

Related Vaccine Topics

CDC Schedule

Routine immunization timeline

Diseases Prevented

What vaccines protect against

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I plan travel vaccines for my baby?
Ideally 4-6 weeks before travel. Some vaccines require multiple doses with intervals between them. Others take 2-4 weeks to provide full protection. If you are traveling in less than 4 weeks, see a travel medicine specialist immediately — accelerated schedules may be available for some vaccines.
Can babies under 6 months travel internationally?
Babies can travel at any age, but infants under 6 months cannot receive some travel vaccines (like Yellow Fever, which requires a minimum age of 9 months). This means some destinations may not be advisable for very young infants. Consult a travel medicine specialist and consider whether the trip can be postponed.
Does my baby need the Yellow Fever vaccine?
Yellow Fever vaccine is required for entry to certain countries in Africa and South America. It can only be given to babies 9 months and older (6 months in some circumstances during outbreaks). If your baby is too young, you may be able to obtain a medical waiver, but the CDC recommends avoiding Yellow Fever risk areas with unvaccinated infants.
What about malaria prevention for babies?
There is no malaria vaccine for routine travel use in young children. Prevention involves antimalarial medication (some are safe from birth, others from specific ages), mosquito nets treated with permethrin, DEET-containing repellent (safe for babies over 2 months), and staying in screened/air-conditioned areas. Consult a travel medicine specialist for the correct antimalarial for your baby's age and destination.
Can travel vaccines be given at the same time as routine vaccines?
In most cases, yes. Travel vaccines can generally be given at the same visit as routine childhood vaccines. Your pediatrician or travel medicine specialist will coordinate the timing. Some live vaccines (like Yellow Fever and MMR) must be given either on the same day or at least 4 weeks apart.

Bottom line

International travel with a baby requires advance planning. Start 4-6 weeks before departure, make sure routine vaccines are current, and consult a travel medicine specialist for destination-specific recommendations. The CDC Travelers' Health website (wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel) is the best starting point.

Traveling with your baby can be wonderful. A little preparation keeps everyone safe and lets you focus on making memories.

Our commitment to accuracy

Every page is reviewed against published guidelines from authoritative medical organizations including the CDC, WHO, AAP, ACOG, ASHA, and NIH.

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