Maryland: Your Gateway to International Travel Health
A complete guide for Maryland-based travelers preparing for international trips — vaccines, regulations, clinics, and expert resources across the state.
Maryland & International Travel Health
Maryland, the Old Line State, occupies one of the most strategically connected positions on the Eastern Seaboard — bordered by Washington D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and the Chesapeake Bay. Home to world-renowned institutions in Baltimore, Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, Frederick, Annapolis, and Hagerstown, Maryland is also home to some of the most respected travel medicine programs in the United States, anchored by Johns Hopkins Medicine and the University of Maryland Medical System.
Whether you are departing from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), or Washington Dulles International (IAD), your travel health preparation starts right here in Maryland. This guide covers the state's vaccine regulations, routine immunization schedules, travel-specific vaccines, and the main clinics and hospitals providing expert travel medicine services across the state.
Healthcare in Maryland for Travelers
Maryland offers exceptional infrastructure for pre-travel healthcare preparation. The state is home to Johns Hopkins Medicine — consistently ranked among the world's best hospital systems — the University of Maryland Medical System, MedStar Health, and a dense network of suburban and regional medical centers. For international travelers, this means access to top-tier infectious disease specialists, a full inventory of travel vaccines, and expert destination risk counseling.
State Health Authority
The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) oversees immunization policy through its Immunization Program. It maintains the ImmuNet registry (Maryland Immunization Information System) and coordinates yellow fever vaccination provider certification across the state under COMAR 10.06.04.
Academic Travel Medicine
The Johns Hopkins Travel Medicine & Tropical Medicine Clinic is one of the premier travel health programs in the world, offering specialist infectious disease consultations, tropical disease evaluation, and comprehensive pre- and post-travel care — all within reach for Maryland residents.
Private Travel Clinics
Passport Health operates multiple CDC-certified travel vaccine clinics in the Baltimore area, Rockville, and suburban Maryland locations. All are designated yellow fever immunization centers carrying a broad inventory of travel vaccines including Japanese encephalitis, rabies, and typhoid.
Vaccine Regulations in Maryland
Maryland vaccine regulations are governed primarily by the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 10.06.04 (school immunization requirements) and the Maryland Department of Health. Here is what travelers — and parents of young travelers — need to understand.
School Entry Requirements
Under COMAR 10.06.04, every child attending a public or private school in Maryland must present proof of required immunizations. Required vaccines include DTaP, Polio, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and MenACWY (at specific grade levels), with a Tdap booster required for 7th grade entry and additional MenACWY requirements for 12th grade.
Exemptions Permitted
Maryland grants exemptions for medical and religious grounds. A Certificate of Religious Exemption must be signed by the parent or guardian and submitted to the school. Medical exemptions require a licensed physician's documentation. Both are accepted in lieu of immunization records under COMAR.
No General Business Mandates
Maryland law does not impose general vaccine mandates on businesses or the public. For residents traveling internationally, the entry vaccine requirements are those of the destination country — not Maryland state law. Yellow fever certification requirements are imposed by foreign governments, not Maryland.
Routine Vaccines for Children in Maryland
Maryland's childhood immunization schedule follows the CDC/ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) recommended schedule. The MDH Immunization Program actively promotes adherence to the schedule, noting that children under age 5 are especially vulnerable because their immune systems have not yet built adequate defenses against vaccine-preventable diseases.
| 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 Maryland 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 |
| 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 serious pneumonia complications globally |
| Rotavirus | Severe diarrheal disease | 2–3 doses by 8 months | Particularly relevant when traveling to developing countries |
| Hepatitis A | Hepatitis A virus | 2 doses starting at 12–23 months | High priority for travel to areas with poor sanitation |
| MenACWY (Meningococcal) | Meningococcal disease A, C, W, Y | 11–12 years; booster at 16 — required at 7th & 12th grade in MD | Required for travel to Africa's meningitis belt & Saudi Arabia (Hajj) |
| HPV | Human Papillomavirus / cervical cancer | 2–3 doses starting at age 11–12 | Routine preventive care should stay on schedule despite travel |
| 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 Maryland
📍 Maryland 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 MDH 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 MDH health departments statewide. Flu seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere — timing matters for international travel.
AnnualCOVID-19 (Updated)
The updated 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for all adults 6 months and older. Available at CVS, Walgreens, and MDH health centers across Maryland. Some countries may still require documentation for entry or transit.
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 and some college-age travelers.
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 Maryland. 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 | Maryland has certified YF vaccination centers; requires ICVP Yellow Card stamp |
| Typhoid | Recommended | South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America | Oral or injectable; available at Johns Hopkins, Passport Health, and UMMC |
| Japanese Encephalitis | Recommended | Rural Asia, Southeast Asia | 2-dose series; stocked at Johns Hopkins 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 Maryland travel clinics |
Main Travel Health & Vaccine Centers in Maryland
Maryland residents have access to some of the finest travel medicine programs in the world, alongside private travel vaccine clinics and county public health services. Below are the principal facilities providing travel health services and vaccinations across the state.
Baltimore
550 N Broadway, Suite 100, Baltimore, MD 21205
(410) 955-8931 | Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
One of the most renowned travel medicine programs in the world, housed within Johns Hopkins Medicine — the #1-ranked hospital system in the United States. Staffed by infectious disease and tropical medicine specialists. Provides individualized pre- and post-travel consultations, tropical disease diagnosis, malaria prophylaxis prescriptions, and detailed travel health education. All vaccines stocked on site. Accepts most insurance and provides same-week appointments for imminent departures.
22 S Greene St, Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 328-8667
Academic travel medicine program through the University of Maryland Medical System's Infectious Disease department. Comprehensive pre-travel consultations, full vaccine inventory, and post-travel evaluation for complex itineraries and tropical illnesses.
1 E Chase St, Suite 905, Baltimore, MD 21202 | (410) 837-6100
Downtown Baltimore travel vaccine clinic. Full inventory including Japanese encephalitis, rabies, and typhoid. Destination-specific consultation for all traveler types.
Montgomery County / Suburban DC
200 Professional Dr, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 315-3330
Serving Montgomery County, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, and DC suburbs. Full travel vaccine menu with itinerary-specific counseling. Conveniently located for I-270 corridor residents.
8600 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 896-3100
Johns Hopkins Medicine community hospital in Bethesda. Travel vaccine services and infectious disease referral access for Montgomery County and the Maryland DC suburbs. Full emergency and specialty care available.
1335 Piccard Dr, Rockville, MD 20850 | (240) 777-1755
Public health travel immunization services for Montgomery County residents. Appointment required. A cost-effective option for uninsured travelers and Medicaid recipients.
Frederick & Western Maryland
400 W 7th St, Frederick, MD 21701
(240) 566-3300
Primary hospital for Frederick County and Western Maryland residents. Contact directly to confirm travel vaccine services and infectious disease referral availability. Passport Health Baltimore and Rockville serve as primary travel clinic resources for complex itineraries.
11116 Medical Campus Rd, Hagerstown, MD 21742
(301) 790-8000
Major hospital serving Washington County and the Maryland Tri-State region. Emergency and specialty care available; travelers in the Hagerstown region should contact the hospital to confirm travel vaccine availability.
Pre-Travel Health Checklist for Maryland Travelers
Follow this step-by-step timeline to ensure you are properly protected before departing from Maryland on an international trip.
| Timeframe | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 6+ Weeks Before | Book a travel health consultation | Contact Johns Hopkins Travel Medicine, Passport Health, University of Maryland, 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 Johns Hopkins Travel Medicine or University of Maryland Infectious Disease immediately and mention your travel history and destinations. |
Ready to Travel from Maryland?
Start your travel health preparation at least 4–6 weeks before departure. Maryland's world-class clinics — including Johns Hopkins Travel Medicine — 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.