4 Tips Before You Head on Spring Break

Spring break is just around the corner! If you’re planning to travel, we have four things to keep in mind:

Check your vaccination status

Be sure you’re up to date on routine vaccinations, ideally 2-4 weeks before a trip, since your body may need up to two weeks to build immunity for some vaccines. Many diseases prevented by routine vaccination are no longer common here but may be common in other countries. In the United States, Texas and New Mexico are experiencing a measles outbreak. If you’re traveling to this area, be sure to review our measles webpage, which has details about vaccination and instructions for checking your immunization record.

Read CDC’s travel advisories

CDC has a neat travel advisory tool for international travel: you enter in the places where you’re traveling, and it’ll tell you health-related advice specific to that place. As we mentioned above, be sure to check it out at least a couple weeks before your trip. This way you have time to make an appointment at a travel clinic and get any recommended vaccines or other preventative care before your trip.

Pack insect repellent, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer

Many parts of South America, Central America, and the Caribbean are experiencing an ongoing dengue outbreak, which is spread by mosquitoes. Dengue has also been reported in California, Florida, and Texas. Oropouche, a virus spread by biting midges, is spreading in the Americas. 

There are lots of vectorborne diseases and repellent helps protect you! CDC outlines what to look for in a repellent. We’d be remiss not to mention packing sunscreen and hand sanitizer too! Check out the CDC’s traveler checklist for more things to pack to help you stay safe and healthy.

Monitor your health when you return

Once you’re back from your trip, keep an eye on your health. Like always, stay home when you’re sick. If need to contact your doctor, be sure to tell them about your travel.

Have a safe and healthy trip!