Going Abroad? It’s Important to Plan Ahead

Learn about your destination’s unique safety considerations and required vaccines on the CDC Travel website.

Physicals and Forms

You may need multiple appointments to complete requirements.

You must book a travel physical well in advance of your trip. Generally, these appointments should be booked one to two months before travel. You MUST complete the personal portion of forms ahead of time and bring the completed forms and any other forms requiring medical stamps or signature to the appointment. If vaccines are needed, a separate appointment may be needed. You may be asked to have blood work completed for visa purposes regarding HIV, tuberculosis and other communicable disease.
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Travel Vaccines

• All travelers are advised to check vaccination status and measles immunity prior to travel.
• Students can look up their immunization history on the patient portal, or call our office at 413-585-2250. 
• Staff and faculty should consult their primary care providers and insurance company regarding travel vaccination coverage. 
• CVS Minute Clinic on King Street provides travel health services. 

Some vaccines are given in a series: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, and Japanese encephalitis require more than one dose, and must be given over a one- to six-month period of time. It will be important to have at least one dose of any vaccine given in a series several weeks before departure.

We carry most travel vaccines, including hepatitis A, rabies, typhoid and Japanese encephalitis.  We do not carry yellow fever Vaccine. Learn about how to get YF vaccine.

Some travel vaccines (such as rabies) can be picked up at the pharmacy and administered here at the Schacht Center. 

Most travel-related vaccines can also be provided locally at CVS Minute Clinic, 366 King Street, Northampton, 413-586-8315. The closest travel clinic is at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield: 3300 Main Street, Springfield MA 01199. 413-794-7015.

Insurance and Cost

We strongly encourage students with private insurance to contact their insurance provider about travel vaccine coverage before booking an appointment. Your insurance may not cover travel vaccines and/or may require that travel-related vaccines be provided at a particular location or special travel clinic. The Smith College insurance plan covers most travel vaccines, including polio, hepatitis A, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and yellow fever. See our website for information about costs.