Planning an international trip from London, Ontario? Whether you’re heading somewhere warm for a winter escape, visiting family overseas, planning a safari, or finally taking that bucket-list trip, travel health preparation should be part of your pre-travel checklist.

Different destinations can come with different health risks, vaccine recommendations, medication considerations, and entry requirements. Knowing what to expect before you leave Canada can help you feel prepared and make it easier to focus on the fun part: your trip!

At Virtual Travel Clinic, we help travellers in London and across Ontario prepare for international travel with convenient virtual travel health consultations, travel vaccine guidance, and travel prescription support.

Travel Health From the Comfort of Home

Finding time for a travel clinic appointment can be difficult when you’re balancing work, family, and an already lengthy travel checklist.

With a virtual travel clinic, you can prepare for your trip without adding an unnecessary trip across the city.

Why choose virtual travel health services?

Whether you live in London, Byron, Masonville, Westmount, Wortley Village, or another London neighbourhood, you can access virtual travel health services from wherever you are.

Travel Health Services for London Travellers

Every traveller and every itinerary is different.

Someone spending a week at an all-inclusive resort may have different travel health considerations than someone backpacking through Southeast Asia, volunteering in Africa, or visiting relatives for several months.

Travel health planning may include:

The goal is simple: help you understand the health considerations for your trip so you can travel feeling prepared.

Do You Need Travel Vaccines?

One of the biggest questions travellers have before an international trip is:

“Do I need travel vaccines?”

There isn’t one universal list of vaccines for every destination.

Recommendations can depend on:

• Your destination
• Length of your trip
• Activities you have planned
• Where you will be staying
• Whether you will visit urban or rural areas
• Your previous vaccination history
• Your individual health considerations

Common travel vaccines that may be discussed include:

Your travel health recommendations should be based on your specific trip rather than a generic destination checklist.

Popular International Trips for London Travellers

London travellers head all over the world for vacations, family visits, work, study, and adventure.

Some destinations can require additional travel health preparation.

Mexico

Mexico remains a favourite for Canadians looking for sunshine, beaches, food, and a break from the Canadian winter.

Travel health considerations can include food and water safety and destination-specific vaccine recommendations.

Thailand

From Bangkok to the islands, Thailand offers a mix of culture, food, beaches, and adventure.

Health recommendations can vary depending on your itinerary, activities, and length of stay.

India

Many Canadians travel to India to visit family, attend celebrations, conduct business, or explore the country.

Travellers visiting friends and relatives may have different health considerations than tourists, particularly if they will be staying for an extended period or visiting rural areas.

Kenya and Tanzania

Planning a safari?

Travel health preparation is particularly important for travellers visiting East Africa. Depending on your itinerary, discussions may include travel vaccines, Yellow Fever, malaria prevention, insect protection, and food and water safety.

Peru

From Lima to Machu Picchu, Peru attracts travellers looking for culture, history, food, and adventure.

Travellers may also need to consider altitude and the specific regions they plan to visit.

Travel Prescriptions for Your Trip

Travel health preparation isn’t only about vaccines.

Depending on your destination and itinerary, you may also want to discuss travel medications before leaving Canada.

Travel prescription topics can include:

• Malaria prevention medication
• Traveller’s diarrhea treatment
• Motion sickness
• Altitude sickness prevention
• Other destination-specific medication considerations

Preparing medications before departure can be especially helpful when travelling somewhere with limited access to familiar healthcare or pharmacies.

If you take regular prescription medication, it is also important to make sure you have enough medication for your entire trip and understand how to travel with it.

Malaria Prevention for Travellers

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease found in many tropical and subtropical regions around the world.

Not every destination has malaria risk, and risk can vary within a country.

If your itinerary includes a malaria-risk area, your travel health plan may include both medication and mosquito bite prevention.

Don’t forget the bug spray!

Simple precautions can help reduce mosquito bites:

• Use an appropriate insect repellent
• Wear long sleeves and pants when practical
• Choose accommodations with screens or air conditioning when possible
• Follow destination-specific recommendations
• Take malaria prevention medication as prescribed, if recommended

Traveller’s Diarrhea: A Common Travel Concern

Nobody wants their vacation interrupted by an upset stomach.

Traveller’s diarrhea is one of the most common illnesses experienced by international travellers and can occur even when you’re staying at a nice hotel or resort.

Food and water precautions can help reduce your risk.

Simple prevention tips

Wash your hands: Especially before eating.

Choose food carefully: Freshly prepared and thoroughly cooked foods are generally a safer choice.

Be mindful of water: Follow local guidance about drinking water and ice.

Pack hand sanitizer: It is an easy addition to your day bag.

Travellers may also want to discuss treatment options before departure, particularly when travelling to destinations where medical care may be less accessible.

Build a Travel Health Kit

Your suitcase might already have sunscreen, swimsuits, and enough outfits for three different weather forecasts.

Don’t forget your health essentials!

Your travel health kit will depend on your destination, activities, and personal needs.

When Should London Travellers Start Preparing?

Ideally, travel health planning should happen before your departure date rather than the night before your flight.

Many travellers choose to start several weeks ahead so there is enough time to review recommendations and complete any necessary preparations.

A simple travel health timeline

Even if your trip is coming up quickly, it’s still a good idea to review your travel health needs before departure.

Travelling With Children or Family?

Family travel can make preparation a little more complicated.

Children may have different vaccination schedules and travel health considerations than adults, while family trips can involve multiple destinations and activities.

If you’re travelling as a family, consider reviewing:

• Each traveller’s vaccination history
• Destination-specific vaccine recommendations
• Prescription medication needs
• Food and water precautions
• Mosquito protection
• Travel health supplies

One travel itinerary can mean several different travel health plans, depending on who is coming along.

FAQ’s