Arizona: Your Gateway to International Travel Health
A complete guide for Arizona-based travelers preparing for international trips — vaccines, regulations, clinics, and expert resources across the Grand Canyon State.
Arizona & International Travel Health
Arizona — the Grand Canyon State — is one of America's great gateways to the world. Home to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the United States, and Tucson International Airport, Arizona sends hundreds of thousands of international travelers abroad each year. Its diverse population — including significant Hispanic, Native American, and retiree communities — creates a uniquely broad range of international travel patterns, from family visits to Mexico and Latin America to adventure travel across Asia and Africa.
Arizona's unique geography also shapes its own local health context. The state borders Mexico along its southern edge, creating a binational health corridor with distinct infectious disease considerations including Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis), which is endemic in Arizona's desert soil. For U.S. travelers heading abroad from Arizona, understanding the state's vaccine regulations, the routine immunization schedule, and where to find specialized travel medicine clinics is essential. This guide brings together everything you need to know before you board that international flight.
Healthcare in Arizona for Travelers
Arizona offers strong pre-travel healthcare infrastructure, particularly in the Phoenix metropolitan area and Tucson. The state is served by nationally ranked academic medical centers, a wide network of county and tribal health departments, and multiple private travel health clinic chains. Arizona's proximity to the US–Mexico border also gives its travel health providers particular expertise in Latin American and tropical disease medicine.
State Health Authority
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) oversees immunization regulations through its Immunization Program and the Arizona State Immunization Information System (ASIIS). It certifies yellow fever vaccination providers and publishes the Arizona Immunization Requirements for schools and childcare facilities across all 15 counties.
Academic Travel Medicine
The Mayo Clinic in Arizona (Scottsdale) operates one of the Southwest's premier travel medicine programs, staffed by infectious disease physicians with expertise in tropical and travel medicine. Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix and Tucson similarly offers infectious disease consultations and pre-travel vaccine services through its academic medicine network.
Private Travel Clinics
Passport Health operates CDC-certified travel vaccine clinics in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, Mesa, and Chandler — making it one of the most accessible states in the country for travel vaccine access. All Passport Health Arizona locations are designated yellow fever immunization centers carrying a full inventory of travel vaccines.
Vaccine Regulations in Arizona
Arizona's vaccine regulations are governed primarily by Arizona Revised Statutes Title 15, Chapter 8, Article 1 (school immunization requirements) and Arizona Administrative Code Title 9, Chapter 6, administered by the Arizona Department of Health Services. Here is what travelers — and parents of young travelers — need to understand.
School Entry Requirements
Under Arizona law (A.R.S. §15-872), every child enrolling in a public, private, or charter school must present a valid Certificate of Immunization documenting required vaccines. Required vaccines for school entry include DTaP, Polio (IPV), MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B. Children entering 7th grade must additionally have the Tdap booster and MenACWY vaccine. These requirements are enforced by the ADHS at school enrollment.
Exemptions Permitted
Arizona grants exemptions for medical and personal (religious or philosophical) grounds. Under A.R.S. §15-873, a personal exemption is obtained by submitting a signed exemption form to the school — no in-person visit to a health department is required. Medical exemptions require a licensed physician's certificate. Both are accepted in lieu of a Certificate of Immunization. Arizona is one of the easier states to obtain a non-medical exemption.
No Business Vaccine Mandates
Arizona law (A.R.S. §36-681 and related statutes) limits the ability of state and local governments to require COVID-19 vaccinations. Businesses in Arizona have limited authority to require proof of vaccination for customers. Private employers may set their own employee vaccination policies within federal law guidelines. Educational institutions may only require state-mandated vaccines and must accommodate medical and personal exemptions.
Routine Vaccines for Children in Arizona
Arizona's childhood immunization schedule follows the CDC/ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) recommended schedule. The ADHS Immunization Program manages ASIIS (Arizona State Immunization Information System), which allows healthcare providers across the state to access and update patient immunization records. Arizona has a notable history of below-average childhood vaccination coverage in some counties — particularly Maricopa and Pima — driven by high personal exemption rates, making it important for parents to verify their children's records before international travel.
| Vaccine | Disease(s) Prevented | Typical Schedule | Notes for Travelers |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTaP / Tdap | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis | 5 doses by age 6; Tdap booster at 11–12 | Pertussis cases are rising globally; confirm current status before travel |
| Polio (IPV) | Poliomyelitis | 4 doses by age 4–6 | Booster may be required for travel to polio-active countries (Pakistan, Afghanistan) |
| MMR | Measles, Mumps, Rubella | 2 doses: 12–15 months & 4–6 years | Measles is endemic in many travel destinations; Arizona has had outbreaks — confirm 2 doses |
| Varicella | Chickenpox | 2 doses: 12–15 months & 4–6 years | Required for Arizona school entry; confirms protection abroad |
| Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B virus | 3-dose series: birth, 1–2 months, 6–18 months | Required for Arizona school entry; especially important for destinations in Asia and Africa |
| Hib | Haemophilus influenzae type b | 3–4 doses by 15 months | Standard childhood protection; confirm up to date before travel |
| PCV (Pneumococcal) | Pneumococcal disease, pneumonia | 4 doses by 15 months | Protects against pneumonia globally; especially relevant for travel to developing regions |
| Rotavirus | Severe diarrheal disease | 2–3 doses by 8 months | Particularly relevant when traveling to Latin America, Asia, and Africa |
| Hepatitis A | Hepatitis A virus | 2 doses starting at 12–23 months | High priority for Latin American travel — especially relevant for Arizona's frequent Mexico travelers |
| MenACWY (Meningococcal) | Meningococcal disease A, C, W, Y | 11–12 years; booster at 16; required 7th grade in Arizona | Required for travel to Africa's meningitis belt & Saudi Arabia (Hajj/Umrah) |
| HPV | Human Papillomavirus / cervical cancer | 2–3 doses starting at age 11–12 | ADHS promotes HPV vaccination; Arizona has some of the nation's lower HPV vaccination coverage rates |
| Influenza | Seasonal influenza | Annually from 6 months of age | Flu seasons differ by hemisphere; timing matters for international travel from Arizona |
| COVID-19 | COVID-19 | From 6 months; updated annually | 2024–2025 updated vaccine recommended by CDC; some countries may require documentation |
Routine Vaccines for Adults in Arizona
📍 Arizona Travel Health Centers & Major Hospitals
Click any marker to view details and get Google Maps directions. Orange = Travel Health Clinic | Blue = Major Hospital
Vaccine protection from childhood series can wane over time, and adults face different risk profiles depending on age, occupation, and travel plans. The ADHS and CDC recommend a range of vaccines for adults on a routine basis — especially important to review and update before any international trip.
Td / Tdap Booster
Every adult should receive a Td booster every 10 years. If not vaccinated with Tdap as an adolescent, one Tdap dose should replace a Td dose. Particularly important for travelers to Latin America — Arizona's most common international destination — where wound exposure risk is higher. Arizona residents visiting rural Mexico should prioritise this vaccine.
Every 10 yearsInfluenza (Annual)
The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for all adults. The 2024–2025 updated vaccine is available at pharmacies, ADHS county health departments, and travel clinics statewide. Note that flu seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere — timing matters for travel to South America and Australia. Arizona has among the nation's higher influenza burden due to year-round warm weather and seasonal population influx.
AnnualCOVID-19 (Updated)
The updated 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax) is recommended for all adults 6 months and older. Available at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, ADHS health departments, and travel clinics across Arizona. Some countries may still require proof for entry. Confirm current requirements with your destination country's embassy before travel.
Updated annuallyHepatitis A & B
Adults not vaccinated in childhood should complete the Hepatitis A (2-dose) and Hepatitis B (3-dose) series. Both are high priority for international travelers from Arizona, especially those frequently visiting Mexico — where hepatitis A transmission risk is elevated. Arizona's Maricopa and Pima County health departments offer hepatitis vaccines at low cost.
Catch-up seriesMeningococcal
MenACWY is recommended for adults at risk and required for travelers to the meningitis belt of Africa and for Hajj/Umrah in Saudi Arabia. MenB is recommended for adults at increased risk and college-age travelers. Available at all Passport Health Arizona locations, Mayo Clinic, and Banner University Medical Centers.
Risk-basedPneumococcal & Shingles
Adults 50+ should receive the shingles vaccine (Shingrix) as a 2-dose series. Pneumococcal vaccines (PCV15 or PCV20) are recommended for adults 65+ or younger adults with specific health conditions. Arizona's large retiree population makes these vaccines particularly relevant — and travel to dusty regions abroad can expose immunocompromised seniors to pneumococcal illness.
Age 50+The Three Categories of Travel Vaccines
Travel vaccines fall into three distinct categories. Understanding the difference is essential when preparing for your trip from Arizona. Your travel health provider will assess all three during your pre-travel consultation.
| Travel Vaccine | Category | Key Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | Required | Sub-Saharan Africa, tropical South America | All Passport Health Arizona locations are CDC-certified YF vaccination centers; requires ICVP Yellow Card stamp |
| Typhoid | Recommended | South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America, Mexico | Oral or injectable; available at all Arizona travel clinics — high relevance for Mexico travelers from Arizona |
| Japanese Encephalitis | Recommended | Rural Asia, Southeast Asia | 2-dose series; available at Passport Health Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Mayo Clinic Arizona |
| Rabies (pre-exposure) | Recommended | Asia, Africa, Latin America (remote areas) | 2-dose series (updated 2022 CDC schedule); advisable for adventure travelers and those in rural settings abroad |
| Cholera (Vaxchora) | Recommended | Sub-Saharan Africa, South/Southeast Asia, Haiti | Single oral dose for adults; confirm availability with your travel clinic |
| Meningococcal ACWY | Required / Recommended | Meningitis Belt (Africa), Saudi Arabia (Hajj/Umrah) | Required for Hajj; strongly recommended for sub-Saharan Africa travel; available at all Arizona travel clinics |
| Hepatitis A | Recommended | Developing countries worldwide; Mexico | High priority for all international destinations; especially relevant for Arizona's frequent Mexico and Latin America travelers |
| Malaria Prophylaxis | Prescription Rx | Sub-Saharan Africa, South/Southeast Asia, Central America | Not a vaccine — prescription medication available from all Passport Health AZ locations, Mayo Clinic, and Banner University |
Main Travel Health & Vaccine Centers in Arizona
Arizona residents have access to both nationally ranked academic medical centers and a particularly dense network of private travel clinics — making it one of the best-served states in the country for pre-travel health preparation. Below are the principal facilities providing travel health services and vaccinations across the state.
Phoenix Metro & East Valley
13400 East Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, AZ 85259
(480) 301-8000 | By appointment
One of the Southwest's premier travel medicine programs, staffed by infectious disease and travel medicine specialists. Offers comprehensive pre-travel consultations covering destination risk, vaccines, malaria prophylaxis prescriptions, and post-travel evaluation. All vaccines in stock on site. Accepts most major insurance plans.
3101 N Central Avenue, Suite 560, Phoenix, AZ 85012
(602) 264-4545
Central Phoenix CDC-designated yellow fever immunization center. Full inventory of travel vaccines with itinerary-specific consultations. Conveniently located near the I-10/I-17 interchange and accessible from Sky Harbor Airport.
9375 East Shea Boulevard, Suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 614-9580
Serving North Scottsdale and the Scottsdale/Paradise Valley corridor. Full travel vaccine inventory with destination-specific consultations. Near Mayo Clinic Hospital.
1440 S Alma School Road, Suite 110, Mesa, AZ 85210
(480) 897-7772
Serving Mesa, Tempe, and the Southeast Valley. Full travel vaccine services with destination consultations.
260 S Alma School Road, Suite 5, Chandler, AZ 85224
(480) 782-5688
Serving Chandler, Gilbert, and the South Valley corridor. Full travel vaccine services with destination consultations.
2601 E Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008 | (602) 344-5011
Maricopa County's safety-net hospital offering travel vaccine services with Medicaid and sliding-scale fee options. Important resource for uninsured Arizona residents.
Tucson & Southern Arizona
4400 East Broadway Boulevard, Suite 705, Tucson, AZ 85711
(520) 745-4040
Southern Arizona's primary travel vaccine clinic. Given Tucson's proximity to Mexico, the clinic has particular expertise in Latin American and Mexico travel health. Full vaccine inventory and destination-specific consultations.
1625 N Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724
(520) 694-8888
University of Arizona College of Medicine-affiliated infectious disease specialists providing pre- and post-travel consultations. Particular expertise in border health and tropical disease given the facility's proximity to Mexico. Post-travel fever and tropical disease evaluation available.
County Health Departments (All 15 Counties)
azdhs.gov — County Health Departments
Every Arizona county has a public health department providing routine immunizations and many offer travel vaccines including yellow fever. County health departments are often the most affordable option for Medicaid, AHCCCS, and uninsured patients. The Maricopa County Department of Public Health at (602) 506-6900 and Pima County Health Department at (520) 724-7770 are the two largest. Appointments are required at all locations.
Pre-Travel Health Checklist for Arizona Travelers
Follow this step-by-step timeline to ensure you are properly protected before departing from Arizona on an international trip.
| Timeframe | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 6+ Weeks Before | Book a travel health consultation | Contact Mayo Clinic Arizona, Passport Health (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, Mesa, or Chandler), or your county health department. Research destination vaccine requirements at CDC Travelers' Health. |
| At Your Visit | Bring your vaccination records | Receive required and recommended vaccines. Get prescriptions for malaria prophylaxis if needed. Request your Yellow Card (ICVP) if yellow fever is required for your destination. Ask about multi-dose vaccine schedules. |
| Follow-Up Visits | Complete multi-dose series | Rabies pre-exposure (2 doses, 7 days apart), Hepatitis A (2 doses), and Japanese Encephalitis (2 doses, 28 days apart) require multiple visits. Arizona's dense clinic network makes this straightforward for most residents. |
| 1–2 Weeks Before | Confirm all travel health documents | Ensure your ICVP (Yellow Card) is properly stamped, signed, and dated. Pack a travel health kit: ORS packets, antidiarrheal medication, insect repellent (DEET 30%+), sunscreen SPF 50+, and any prescription medications. |
| On Return | Monitor for illness symptoms | If you develop fever, rash, diarrhea, or unusual symptoms within weeks of return, contact Mayo Clinic Arizona or Banner University Medical Center and mention your travel history. Many tropical illnesses present after return to Arizona. |
Ready to Travel from Arizona?
Start your travel health preparation at least 4–6 weeks before departure. Arizona's clinics — from Mayo Clinic Scottsdale to Passport Health across the Valley — are ready to protect you for wherever your journey takes you.
This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider for personalized travel health advice. Information current as of 2025–2026.