FAQ
What is travel medicine and why is it important?
Travel medicine is a specialized branch of healthcare focused on the prevention and management of health risks associated with international travel. It involves assessing your travel itinerary, medical history, and current health to recommend vaccinations, medications, and personalized advice that help protect you from diseases common in your destination, such as malaria, yellow fever, typhoid, or hepatitis.
Travel medicine is important because different regions pose different health risks. Even healthy travelers can be exposed to illness not found in their home country. A proper travel consultation ensures you’re prepared, protected, and informed—so you can enjoy your trip with peace of mind.
Do you offer virtual consultations?
Yes. In fact, all our consultations are currently offered virtually. This means you can speak with a travel health professional from the comfort of your home, without needing to visit the clinic in person. Our virtual consultations are secure, convenient, and just as thorough as an in-person visit.
We review your travel plans, medical history, and vaccine records, and provide personalized recommendations, prescriptions, and documentation as needed.
How do I book a consultation with Canada TravelMED?
All Canada TravelMED consultations are booked online. To schedule your appointment, simply click the button below.
If you encounter any issues while booking, feel free to contact us at (289) 309-1920 or contact@canadatravelmed.ca — we’re happy to help.
How far in advance should I book a travel health consultation?
Preferably, you should book your travel health consultation 4 to 6 weeks before your departure. This allows enough time for any required vaccines to take full effect and for multi-dose vaccines (like rabies or hepatitis A/B) to be administered on schedule.
However, even if your trip is coming up soon, it’s still worth booking a consultation. Some vaccines and medications can provide protection quickly, and our team can offer last-minute health advice to help you reduce your risk while traveling.
Can I get my vaccines at the clinic or do I need to go elsewhere?
Yes, you can get your vaccines with us.
Since we are primarily a virtual travel health service, we send your vaccine recommendations to the pharmacy of your choice after your online consultation, so you can receive them locally. If you prefer an in-person visit, we provide your assessment in clinic and you can receive your vaccines directly at our office during your appointment.
Do you provide travel health advice for families and children?
Yes, we provide travel health advice for families and children.
Our team supports travellers of all ages with personalized guidance on destination-specific vaccinations, malaria prevention, insect-borne disease protection, and cholera or traveller’s diarrhea prevention. We also help families prepare for altitude and motion sickness. You can book individual, child, or family consultations—with discounted package options—to make planning your trip easier and more affordable.
Will my insurance cover travel vaccines and consultations?
You’ll receive a receipt for your consultation directly from our medical office. After the visit, you’ll get your vaccines at the pharmacy of your choice, where you’ll receive a separate receipt. Many pharmacies can bill your insurance directly, but if not, you can submit both receipts to your insurance provider, as coverage depends on the details of your plan.
Do I need vaccines even if I'm traveling for a short period?
Yes. Even short trips can expose you to diseases not commonly found in Canada. Some illnesses, like hepatitis A or typhoid, can be contracted through contaminated food or water, and others, like yellow fever, are spread by mosquitoes in specific regions.
The length of your stay doesn’t necessarily lower your risk, especially if you’re visiting rural areas, eating local foods, or participating in outdoor activities. A travel health consultation ensures you get the right protection based on your destination, no matter how long you’re staying.
Can I get multiple vaccines during one visit?
Yes, it’s common to receive multiple vaccines during a single visit. Many travel vaccines can be given at the same time without reducing their effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.
In fact, getting multiple vaccines at once is often the most efficient way to ensure you’re fully protected before your trip, especially if your departure date is approaching. During your consultation, we’ll review your health history and travel plans to determine the best vaccination schedule for you.
Do you provide information about local and international disease outbreaks?
Yes. While we cover relevant outbreak information during your travel consultation, we also recommend staying up to date through trusted sources.
For the latest global updates, you can visit:
- World Health Organization’s Disease Outbreak News.
- Canadian government’s travel advice and advisories by destinaiton.
You can also check our clinic blog where we post updates and travel health tips tailored for Canadian travelers.
How long do travel vaccines last?
The duration of protection depends on the specific vaccine. Some, like yellow fever, provide lifelong protection with a single dose, while others, such as typhoid or cholera, may only last a few years and require booster shots.
Routine vaccines like hepatitis A and B often offer long-term or lifetime protection after completing the full series.
During your consultation, we’ll review your vaccine history and travel plans to let you know which vaccines are still valid and which ones may need to be updated.
What is your cancellation policy?
You may cancel your appointment up to 48 hours before your scheduled time without any fees. If you need to cancel after this window, please contact us as soon as possible so we can assist you and make the time available for other travellers.
What if I've lost my vaccine record?
Losing your vaccine record will not affect your vaccination appointment. Our physician will review your history with you during the visit and determine what you need based on trusted medical guidelines. We can also help you rebuild an accurate record moving forward.
Are vaccines safe? What are the side effects?
Yes, vaccines are very safe. Before any vaccine is approved for use in Canada or internationally, it goes through extensive testing in clinical trials to ensure its safety and effectiveness. Even after approval, vaccine safety continues to be closely monitored by health agencies such as Health Canada, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Most travel vaccines have mild and temporary side effects, such as:
- Redness or soreness at the injection site.
- Mild fever.
- Fatigue or muscle aches.
Serious side effects are extremely rare. Your travel health provider will go over the benefits and risks of each recommended vaccine during your consultation and take your medical history into account before making any recommendations.
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Ensure a safe and worry-free trip with expert travel health advice, vaccinations, and personalized care. Schedule your travel clinic appointment today and travel with confidence.
Travel medicine is not covered by OHIP, but many extended health insurance plans offer reimbursement for travel vaccines and medications. If you have a health spending account, you may also use it to cover the cost of the doctor’s visit.
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