Georgia: Your Gateway to International Travel Health
A complete guide for Georgia-based travelers preparing for international trips — vaccines, regulations, clinics, and expert resources across the state.
Georgia & International Travel Health
Georgia, the Peach State, is a powerhouse of international connectivity. Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is consistently ranked the world's busiest airport, making Georgia one of the most globally connected states in the nation. With a diverse, internationally mobile population spanning Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, and Macon — and home to global institutions such as the CDC headquarters and Emory University — Georgia boasts some of the most sophisticated travel health resources available anywhere in the United States.
For U.S. travelers heading abroad, understanding Georgia'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 Georgia for Travelers
Georgia is uniquely positioned as a global travel health leader. The state hosts the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) national headquarters in Atlanta, Emory University's world-renowned Infectious Disease Division, and a dense network of private and public travel clinics — making pre-travel healthcare preparation exceptionally accessible for Georgia residents.
State Health Authority
The Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) oversees immunization regulations through its Immunization Program. It maintains the Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services (GRITS) and certifies yellow fever vaccination providers across the state.
Academic Travel Medicine
The Emory TravelWell Center in Atlanta is one of the nation's premier travel health clinics, staffed by Emory University School of Medicine infectious disease and travel medicine specialists. It offers full vaccine services, tropical disease diagnosis, and post-travel care.
Private Travel Clinics
Passport Health operates CDC-certified travel vaccine clinics in Atlanta (multiple locations) and Savannah. All locations are designated yellow fever immunization centers and carry a broad inventory of travel vaccines including Japanese encephalitis and rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis.
Vaccine Regulations in Georgia
Georgia's vaccine regulations are governed primarily by the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) § 20-2-771 (school immunization law) and rules administered by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Here is what travelers — and parents of young travelers — need to understand.
School Entry Requirements
Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-771), every child attending a public or private school or licensed childcare facility must present a valid Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231). Required vaccines include DTaP, Polio, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Meningococcal (for 7th grade entry). Georgia also requires Hepatitis A for children entering kindergarten and childcare.
Exemptions Permitted
Georgia grants exemptions for medical and religious grounds. A religious exemption requires a written statement of religious objection submitted annually, signed by the parent or guardian. Medical exemptions require a licensed physician's written certificate. Both are accepted in lieu of the standard Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231).
Colleges & Universities
The University System of Georgia (USG) requires proof of meningococcal vaccination for all students living in on-campus housing. Individual USG institutions — including Georgia Tech, UGA, and Georgia State — may set additional immunization requirements. International exchange students are often subject to additional vaccination documentation requirements.
Routine Vaccines for Children in Georgia
Georgia's childhood immunization schedule follows the CDC/ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) recommended schedule. The GDPH Immunization Program actively promotes adherence to the schedule and operates the GRITS registry to help healthcare providers track and close immunization gaps statewide.
| 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 |
| MMR | Measles, Mumps, Rubella | 2 doses: 12–15 months & 4–6 years | Measles is endemic in many travel destinations; confirm 2 doses |
| Varicella | Chickenpox | 2 doses: 12–15 months & 4–6 years | Required for Georgia school entry; confirms protection abroad |
| Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B virus | 3-dose series: birth, 1–2 months, 6–18 months | Especially important for destinations with high HBV prevalence |
| Hepatitis A | Hepatitis A virus | 2 doses starting at 12–23 months | Required for GA childcare/K entry; high priority for travel to areas with poor sanitation |
| 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 — relevant for all international trips |
| Rotavirus | Severe diarrheal disease | 2–3 doses by 8 months | Particularly relevant when traveling to developing countries |
| MenACWY (Meningococcal) | Meningococcal disease A, C, W, Y | 11–12 years; booster at 16 | Required for travel to Africa's meningitis belt & Saudi Arabia (Hajj); GA 7th-grade requirement |
| HPV | Human Papillomavirus / cervical cancer | 2–3 doses starting at age 11–12 | GDPH actively promotes HPV vaccination through school outreach programs statewide |
| Influenza | Seasonal influenza | Annually from 6 months of age | Flu seasons differ by hemisphere; timing matters for international travel |
| 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 Georgia
📍 Georgia 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. The GDPH 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 developing countries where wound exposure is higher.
Every 10 yearsInfluenza (Annual)
The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for all adults. The 2024–2025 updated vaccine is available at pharmacies and GDPH health departments statewide. Note that flu seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere — timing matters for travel.
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, Kroger, and county health departments across Georgia. Some countries may still require proof for entry.
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, especially those visiting areas with poor sanitation or high HBV prevalence.
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 — particularly relevant for Emory, Georgia Tech, and UGA students traveling internationally.
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, providing protection against pneumonia globally.
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 Georgia. 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 | Georgia has certified YF vaccination centers; requires ICVP Yellow Card stamp |
| Typhoid | Recommended | South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America | Oral or injectable; available at all major Georgia travel clinics |
| Japanese Encephalitis | Recommended | Rural Asia, Southeast Asia | 2-dose series; available at Emory TravelWell and Passport Health locations |
| Rabies (pre-exposure) | Recommended | Asia, Africa, Latin America (remote areas) | 3-dose series; advisable for adventure travelers or those working with animals |
| 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 |
| Hepatitis A | Recommended | Developing countries worldwide | High priority for most international destinations; 2-dose series |
| Malaria Prophylaxis | Prescription Rx | Sub-Saharan Africa, South/Southeast Asia, Central America | Not a vaccine — prescription medication available from Georgia travel clinics |
Main Travel Health & Vaccine Centers in Georgia
Georgia residents have access to nationally renowned academic medical centers and specialized private travel clinics. Below are the principal facilities providing travel health services and vaccinations across the state, as listed by the GDPH and verified travel health sources.
Atlanta
1525 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322
(404) 778-7750 | Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The flagship travel health clinic in Georgia and one of the most respected in the United States, staffed by Emory University School of Medicine infectious disease and travel medicine specialists. All vaccines stocked on site. Offers individualized pre- and post-travel consultations, tropical disease diagnosis, malaria prophylaxis prescriptions, and expert health education for complex itineraries.
3060 Peachtree Rd NW, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 841-0567
A CDC-designated yellow fever immunization center carrying a wide inventory of travel vaccines. Itinerary-specific consultations available. Conveniently located in Buckhead, close to Hartsfield-Jackson departures.
1100 Hammond Dr NE, Suite 410A, Atlanta, GA 30328 | (770) 395-1776
Full inventory of travel vaccines serving the North Atlanta / Perimeter business and residential corridor.
Savannah / Coastal Georgia
5 W Broughton St, Suite 350, Savannah, GA 31401
(912) 232-6195
Serving Savannah, Coastal Georgia, and the Low Country. Full inventory of travel vaccines with destination-specific consultation services. Convenient for travelers departing via Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
4700 Waters Ave, Savannah, GA 31404
(912) 350-8000
Coastal Georgia's Level I trauma center with infectious disease and travel health consultation capabilities. Contact directly for travel vaccine appointment availability.
Augusta / East Georgia
1120 15th St, Augusta, GA 30912
(706) 721-2273
Academic travel medicine and infectious disease consultation at Augusta University's medical campus. Full travel vaccine services available by appointment for East Georgia and South Carolina border travelers.
Pre-Travel Health Checklist for Georgia Travelers
Follow this step-by-step timeline to ensure you are properly protected before departing from Georgia on an international trip.
| Timeframe | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 6+ Weeks Before | Book a travel health consultation | Contact Emory TravelWell, Passport Health, 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 if yellow fever is required for your destination. |
| Follow-Up Visits | Complete multi-dose series | Rabies pre-exposure (3 doses), Hepatitis A (2 doses), and Japanese Encephalitis (2 doses) require multiple visits spaced weeks apart. |
| 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. |
| On Return | Monitor for illness symptoms | If you develop fever, rash, diarrhea, or unusual symptoms within weeks of return, contact Emory TravelWell immediately and mention your travel history and destinations. |
Ready to Travel from Georgia?
Start your travel health preparation at least 4–6 weeks before departure. Georgia's clinics — including the world-renowned Emory TravelWell Center — 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.