Health (The essentials of vaccines and medications)

Sep 7, 2025

green and silver stethoscope on white envelope

Health on the Go: Preparing for Departure and Traveling Safely

Health is an essential pillar of any trip. When going far from home, sometimes for several months, anticipating your medical needs becomes crucial. Between health check-ups, required vaccinations, a first aid kit, and specific treatments, here is a complete guide to traveling with peace of mind.

1. Get a complete medical check-up before leaving

Before any long-term departure, it is highly recommended to consult your usual doctors:

General practitioner: for a global check-up, renewing your prescriptions, and anticipating your needs.
Dentist: it's better to treat a cavity before boarding a plane!
Ophthalmologist: essential if you wear glasses or contact lenses (bring a spare pair).
Gynecologist / other specialists: according to your personal medical follow-up.

Why is it important?

Detect and treat any health issues in advance.
Update your vaccinations.
Obtain the necessary certificates or prescriptions for your travel insurance.

2. Travel vaccines: anticipate as much as possible

Some vaccines are mandatory or strongly recommended depending on the destination. They often need to be administered several weeks before departure (and sometimes in multiple doses).

Common examples:

Yellow fever (mandatory for certain countries in Africa and South America).
Hepatitis A and B.
Typhoid.
Rabies (depending on the area).

👉 To inquire:

Practical advice: make an appointment as soon as possible, as some centers have several weeks of waiting time.

Health on the Go: Preparing for Departure and Traveling Safely

1. Get a complete medical check-up before leaving

Before any long-term departure, it is highly recommended to consult your usual doctors:

General practitioner: for a global check-up, renewing your prescriptions, and anticipating your needs.
Dentist: it's better to treat a cavity before boarding a plane!
Ophthalmologist: essential if you wear glasses or contact lenses (bring a spare pair).
Gynecologist / other specialists: according to your personal medical follow-up.

Why is it important?

Detect and treat any health issues in advance.
Update your vaccinations.
Obtain the necessary certificates or prescriptions for your travel insurance.

2. Travel vaccines: anticipate as much as possible

Some vaccines are mandatory or strongly recommended depending on the destination. They often need to be administered several weeks before departure (and sometimes in multiple doses).

Common examples:

Yellow fever (mandatory for certain countries in Africa and South America).
Hepatitis A and B.
Typhoid.
Rabies (depending on the area).

👉 To inquire:

Practical advice: make an appointment as soon as possible, as some centers have several weeks of waiting time.

3. Preventing malaria and tropical diseases

In some areas, a preventive treatment for malaria may be prescribed.
Your doctor can also inform you about:

Protective measures against mosquitoes (mosquito net, repellents, long clothing).
Health risks related to water and food (traveler's diarrhea, cholera, etc.).

👉 Consult the website Travel Medicine – personalized advice for recommendations tailored to your profile and destination.

4. Preparing a travel first aid kit

A well-thought-out kit saves you a lot of stress on-site. It should contain:

First aid: band-aids, disinfectant, dressings, healing cream.
Daily health: pain relievers (paracetamol, ibuprofen), anti-diarrheals, antihistamines.
Travel: treatment for motion sickness, saline solution, tablets for purifying water.
Tropics: mosquito repellents, high protection sunscreen, ointment for burns.

Your doctor can adapt the kit according to your medical history and destination.

👉 Example of a practical checklist: Travel Medicine Brochure – CH Dax

5. Health insurance and medical follow-up

Don’t leave without checking your travel insurance: medical expenses, hospitalization, repatriation. These guarantees are essential, especially outside Europe where costs can be very high.
Also keep:

Your prescriptions.
Useful numbers (medical assistance 24/7, embassies, consulates).
A digital copy of your medical documents.

6. Useful resources for traveling in good health

Take care of yourself ☺️

Read more tips!

Choose your travel insurance

All our tips for leaving with peace of mind and good insurance. Such as the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Fil d'Ariane: the essential service

When planning a trip, we first think of plane tickets, the backpack, and must-see attractions. However, safety is an essential aspect that should never be overlooked.

Administrative before a trip

Administrative tasks... it's not the most exciting part when preparing for a trip, but it is a necessary step to travel with peace of mind. If poorly anticipated, it can turn your adventure into a headache.

Choose your travel insurance

All our tips for leaving with peace of mind and good insurance. Such as the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Fil d'Ariane: the essential service

When planning a trip, we first think of plane tickets, the backpack, and must-see attractions. However, safety is an essential aspect that should never be overlooked.

Choose your travel insurance

All our tips for leaving with peace of mind and good insurance. Such as the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Fil d'Ariane: the essential service

When planning a trip, we first think of plane tickets, the backpack, and must-see attractions. However, safety is an essential aspect that should never be overlooked.