Europe 2025: Your Essential Travel Vaccine Guide

Detailed Overview: Staying Healthy for Your International Trip

International travel offers exciting experiences but also comes with potential health risks that vary based on the traveler's health, type of travel, and destination. Preparing adequately before, during, and after your trip is crucial for a safe and healthy journey.

 

Before You Go: Essential Preparations

1. Consult a Healthcare Professional: It is vital to consult a healthcare professional or a travel clinic well in advance of your departure, ideally 4–8 weeks prior, to discuss your specific vaccination needs. Even if your departure is soon, a consultation is still beneficial. This is because vaccination needs are unique to each individual, depending on their personal health, travel itinerary, and current health situations. Special considerations apply to certain groups, including infants, young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, older people, individuals with disabilities, and those with underlying health conditions (including mental, neurological, and substance use conditions).

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2. Understand Vaccination Requirements and Recommendations: While Europe generally has robust healthcare infrastructure, making vaccine requirements less stringent than for developing countries, some vaccines may still be required or strongly recommended due to localized outbreaks, health risks, or international health regulations.

    ◦ COVID-19 Vaccination: In 2025, COVID-19-related travel requirements may still be in place, especially for travelers from countries where the virus is a public health threat. European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries have typically allowed entry for travelers who have been fully vaccinated with European Medicines Agency (EMA)-approved vaccines (e.g., Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen). While EU countries may not always ask for a vaccination certificate, remember that the COVID-19 situation is fluid, so entry requirements can change. The CDC still recommends renewing the vaccine for vulnerable populations.

    ◦ Yellow Fever: Although yellow fever is rare in Europe, proof of vaccination may be required if you are arriving from a country with an active yellow fever outbreak, particularly for entry into certain European countries like France, which has overseas territories in yellow fever-endemic regions (e.g., French Guiana). If required, ensure you are vaccinated at least 10 days before your trip to allow the vaccine time to become effective and carry your International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card) as proof.

    ◦ Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B: Both are viral infections that affect the liver.

        ▪ Hepatitis A is recommended for all travelers, particularly if you plan to visit rural areas or eat local street food, as the virus is transmitted through contaminated food or water via the fecal-oral route. While generally less of a concern in urban areas of countries like Spain, Greece, and Portugal, it may still be a risk in less-developed regions.

        ▪ Hepatitis B is recommended for travelers with potential exposure to blood or bodily fluids (e.g., medical professionals, travelers who plan to undergo medical treatments, or those engaging in high-risk behaviors like unprotected sex). While less common in Europe, it can still be transmitted in medical or sexual settings.

    ◦ Tetanus and Diphtheria: Both are bacterial infections that can result in serious health complications. Vaccination is recommended for travelers, particularly those planning to engage in outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or camping, where injuries may occur. Many travelers to Europe are up-to-date on these routine immunizations, but it is essential to check your vaccination history, especially if you have not received a booster shot in the last 10 years.

    ◦ Mumps, Measles, and Rubella (MMR): The MMR vaccine protects against these highly contagious viral diseases. In recent years, there have been outbreaks of measles in Europe, especially in areas where vaccination rates have dropped. The MMR vaccine is recommended for all travelers who are not fully vaccinated or those who lack immunity (especially if born after 1957). This is crucial for children and young adults who may not have received full immunization.

    ◦ Polio (Poliomyelitis): Europe is generally considered polio-free. However, vaccination for polio is still important for travelers who may have visited regions where the disease remains active. It is recommended for travelers who are at increased risk, especially those visiting Eastern Europe or countries with lower vaccination rates.

    ◦ Influenza Vaccine: The seasonal flu vaccine is highly recommended for all travelers, particularly those visiting Europe during the winter months when flu outbreaks are more common. Influenza viruses circulate year-round, but they peak in colder months, particularly in Northern Europe. This vaccine is especially recommended for the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with underlying health conditions.

    ◦ Other Region-Specific Recommendations: Some regions in Europe have specific health risks.

        ▪ Rabies: Travelers to rural parts of Eastern Europe may need to consider the rabies vaccine if they plan to engage with animals, such as hiking or volunteering with wildlife.

        ▪ Tuberculosis (TB): While TB is less common in Europe, travelers visiting countries with high TB rates (such as parts of Eastern Europe or Romania) may benefit from getting a TB test or vaccination.

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3. Gather Information on Health Risks and Local Customs:

Health risks during travel can come from various factors, including changes in temperature and humidity, air pollution, issues of safety and security, access to health and dental care services, exposure to infectious diseases, access to safe food and water, sanitation and hygiene standards, and local laws and customs. International travel can be stressful. Travelers may be away from family and friends and may need to adjust to foreign cultures and languages. Coping with high levels of stress may cause physical, social, and psychological problems. Changes to the circadian rhythm (e.g., jet lag) and sleep deprivation can also trigger seizures in people with epilepsy, provoke migraine attacks, and cause more behavioral symptoms in people living with dementia. Be aware of differences in local laws and customs, including those relating to substance use and sexual relationships.

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4. Travel Insurance and Medications:

Travelers are strongly advised to obtain comprehensive travel insurance as a matter of routine and to declare any underlying health conditions to their travel insurers. Sufficient medical supplies, including prescribed medications, should be carried to cover the duration of the trip, including possible delays and changes of plans. If you carry certain medications (such as psychotropics) that might be illegal in some countries, you should have a letter written and signed by your doctor certifying the need to carry them. Toiletries should also be carried in sufficient quantity for the entire duration of the trip unless their availability at the travel destination is assured.

 

During Your Travel: Staying Safe and Healthy

When traveling, always have important health documents with you, such as health insurance certificates and vaccine or malaria prophylaxis records. Have these documents ready to be presented if requested by officials. You should also:

• Continue to take medications for chronic health conditions, if applicable.

• Be mindful of road safety.

• Be mindful of food and water safety precautions.

• Be mindful of the need for protection from extreme weather, such as heat waves.

 

After Your Travel: Post-Trip Health Monitoring

Travelers should seek medical attention on their return home if they:

• Are ill in the weeks after they return home, particularly with fever, persistent diarrhea, vomiting, jaundice, urinary disorders, skin disease, or anogenital infection.

• Received treatment for malaria while traveling.

• May have been exposed during travel to an infectious disease, including sexually transmitted infections, even if they have no symptoms.

• Have a previous health condition that gets worse. In these cases, travelers should seek medical care immediately and not wait for a regularly scheduled consultation. Providing health personnel with information on your travel history, including vaccines and malaria prophylaxis taken before travel, can be helpful.

 

Remember, vaccination guidelines and travel requirements can change, so always consult trusted sources like the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the latest travel health recommendations