Health information for travellers

People who are planning to travel abroad are advised to take certain precautions to make sure that they have a pleasant trip and return safely. In some countries, unprotected travellers can contract diseases like hepatitis A, typhoid fever, tetanus, diphtheria, poliomyelitis and yellow fever.

Before departing, travellers should see a nurse or a doctor in a travel health clinic for a complete vaccination based on the their travel plans and associated risks. It's also important that previous vaccinations be updated. Canadians born abroad should also be vaccinated when they travel to their country of origin.

In all cases, travel health clinics also offer tropical medicine consultations for returning travellers. Most of these clinics also provide tips on how to prevent traveller's diarrhea, malaria, altitude sickness, jetlag, bird flu, etc.

Most travel health clinic services are not covered by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec. However, many private insurance companies reimburse all or part of the cost of vaccinations.

For more information and practical pre-departure advice, visit the "Travel and Health" section on the Services Québec Website.