Travel Basics

Each year many Hope students travel outside of the country, either independently or as part of a group. The Hope Health Center assists over 200 students every year with travel immunizations.

Travel Vaccines available at the Hope Health Center include:
• Anti-malaria prescriptions (to be filled at your pharmacy)
• Hepatitis A vaccine
• Hepatitis B vaccine
• Meningococcal vaccine
• Polio vaccine, adult booster
• Tetanus vaccine
• Typhoid vaccine, both oral and injectable
• Yellow Fever vaccine

Travel related expenses are not covered under the HopeHealth benefit. Call your major medical insurance provider and ask if they cover travel vaccines or travel related services. Most insurance companies do not cover the fees for travel related vaccines. Travel vaccines done in the Hope Health Center may be put on your student account or paid by cash/check at the time of service. You may request and submit a statement to your major medical insurance company for possible reimbursement.

BEFORE TRAVELING

1. Obtain a Travel Report that provides information concerning recommended and required immunizations specific to your itinerary.
• You may obtain a free travel report through the Hope Health Center by completing a Travel Form.
• You can find travel information at www.cdc.gov.
2. Obtain Travel Warnings from the U.S. Department of State; www.state.gov/travel/
• Register your trip here
• Obtain Passport and Visa information
3. Obtain Travel immunizations at least 1 month prior to departure.
• Sooner is better!
4. Obtain Medication refills to cover your trip.
• Many countries do not have the same medications or are unable to honor your doctor’s prescription.
5. Contact your Major Medical Insurance provider and ask if they will cover sickness or injury while you are on your trip.
• Many insurance companies do not cover you once you leave the country!
6. Obtain traveler’s insurance to cover injury or medical care.
• Think about choosing one that will pay to transport you back to the United States if necessary.

TO REDUCE YOUR RISK OF ILLNESS WHILE TRAVELING

1. “Boil it, Cook it, Peel it, OR FORGET IT!”
2. Use only bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth.
3. Ask for drinks without ice unless you know the ice is made from bottled or boiled water.
4. Avoid popsicles and flavored ices that may have been made with contaminated water.
5. Eat foods that have been thoroughly cooked and that are still hot and steaming.
6. Avoid raw vegetables and fruits that cannot be peeled - Peel those fruits and vegetables that can be peeled!
7. Avoid foods and beverages from street vendors. It is difficult for food to be kept clean on the street. Many travelers get sick from food eaten from street vendors.

IF YOU ARE SERIOUSLY SICK OR INJURED WHILE TRAVELING
1. Contact your travel insurance company. Many will direct you to an appropriate health care provider.
2. Call or locate the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate
3. If you have an American Express card, call their local offices for help finding health care.
4. If all else fails, ask other travelers or locals for help.

AFTER TRAVELING
1. See your health care provider if you develop any of the following symptoms:
• Watery diarrhea OR Bloody diarrhea OR Explosive diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Fever
2. Repeat your TB screening tool, located on our website.
• Obtain a TB skin test 9 – 12 weeks after returning from a country with high-incidence of tuberculosis.