New Hampshire: Your Gateway to International Travel Health
A complete guide for New Hampshire-based travelers preparing for international trips — vaccines, regulations, clinics, and expert resources across the Granite State.
New Hampshire & International Travel Health
New Hampshire — the Granite State — packs remarkable international connectivity into one of New England's most compact and independent-minded states. From the urban centers of Manchester, Nashua, and Concord to the college towns of Durham and Plymouth, the Lakes Region, the White Mountains, and the historic seacoast communities of Portsmouth and Dover, New Hampshire residents travel internationally at high rates — for business, education, family connections, humanitarian missions, and adventure travel spanning every continent.
Whether you are departing from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT), Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (PSM), or — as many Granite State residents do — from nearby Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), proper travel health preparation starts in New Hampshire. This guide covers state vaccine regulations, routine immunization priorities, travel-specific vaccines, and the principal clinics and hospitals providing expert travel medicine services from Dartmouth Health in Lebanon to the Manchester-Nashua metro and the Seacoast.
Healthcare in New Hampshire for Travelers
New Hampshire's healthcare ecosystem for international travelers is anchored by Dartmouth Health (formerly Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center) in Lebanon — the state's only academic medical center and the most comprehensive infectious disease and travel medicine resource in the Granite State. A network of strong regional hospitals in Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Portsmouth, and Dover complement Dartmouth Health's capabilities. Private travel vaccine clinics and county public health offices extend access statewide.
State Health Authority
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), through its Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) Immunization Program, oversees vaccine policy, maintains the New Hampshire Immunization Information System (NHIIS), and coordinates Yellow Fever Vaccination Center certification across the state under RSA 141-C and He-P 301 administrative rules.
Academic Medical Center
Dartmouth Health (Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center) in Lebanon is New Hampshire's flagship academic medical center, home to the state's most comprehensive travel medicine and infectious disease program. Its specialists handle complex pre-travel consultations, rare tropical vaccines, malaria prophylaxis, and post-travel illness diagnosis for patients from across New Hampshire and Vermont.
Private Travel Clinics
Passport Health operates CDC-certified Yellow Fever vaccination clinics in the Manchester and Nashua areas, providing destination-specific travel vaccine consultations for all traveler types across Southern New Hampshire. Regional hospitals including Elliot, Catholic Medical, and Wentworth-Douglass also offer travel immunization services through their infectious disease departments.
Vaccine Regulations in New Hampshire
New Hampshire's school immunization requirements are governed by RSA 141-C:20 and the He-P 301 administrative rules of the New Hampshire DHHS Division of Public Health Services. Here is what travelers — and parents of young travelers — need to understand about the Granite State's vaccine regulations.
School Entry Requirements
Under New Hampshire law, children entering public or private school must be vaccinated against DTaP/Tdap, Polio, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, and MenACWY (for 7th grade entry). The NHIIS (New Hampshire Immunization Information System) allows parents and providers to access and verify records. Students without documentation or a valid exemption may be excluded from attendance.
Exemptions Permitted
New Hampshire grants exemptions for medical and religious grounds under RSA 141-C:20-a. Medical exemptions require documentation from a licensed health care provider. Religious exemptions require a written statement of religious belief submitted to school officials. New Hampshire does not recognize pure philosophical or personal belief exemptions, placing it among states with more structured exemption frameworks.
International Entry Requirements
New Hampshire does not impose vaccine mandates for residents traveling abroad. However, destination countries impose their own entry requirements independently of any U.S. state law. Yellow fever vaccination proof (via the ICVP Yellow Card, stamped at a CDC-certified facility) is legally required to enter many countries in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America. Always verify your destination's requirements well before travel.
Routine Vaccines for Children in New Hampshire
New Hampshire's childhood immunization schedule follows the CDC/ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) recommended schedule. The DPHS Immunization Program promotes on-schedule vaccination for all children, with particular emphasis on catching up any missed doses before starting school — and especially before international travel, where children face exposure to diseases that have been largely eliminated in the United States.
| 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 outbreaks occur globally; confirm current status before any international trip |
| Polio (IPV) | Poliomyelitis | 4 doses by age 4–6 | Some countries require proof of polio vaccination for entry or exit clearance |
| MMR | Measles, Mumps, Rubella | 2 doses: 12–15 months & 4–6 years | Measles is endemic across Europe, Asia, and Africa; confirm 2 doses before any international trip |
| Varicella | Chickenpox | 2 doses: 12–15 months & 4–6 years | Required for NH school entry; immunity is critical during international travel |
| Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B virus | 3-dose series: birth, 1–2 months, 6–18 months | Critical for destinations in Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe with high HBV prevalence |
| Hepatitis A | Hepatitis A virus | 2 doses starting at 12–23 months | Required for NH school entry; high priority for travel to areas with unsafe food and water |
| Hib | Haemophilus influenzae type b | 3–4 doses by 15 months | Standard childhood protection; confirm up to date before international travel |
| PCV (Pneumococcal) | Pneumococcal disease, pneumonia | 4 doses by 15 months | Protects against serious pneumonia complications in developing-country travel contexts |
| Rotavirus | Severe diarrheal disease | 2–3 doses by 8 months | Particularly relevant for travel to areas with limited access to clean water and sanitation |
| MenACWY (Meningococcal) | Meningococcal disease A, C, W, Y | 11–12 years; booster at 16 — required at 7th grade in NH | Required for travel through Africa's meningitis belt and Saudi Arabia (Hajj/Umrah) |
| HPV | Human Papillomavirus / cervical cancer | 2–3 doses starting at age 11–12 | Stay on schedule regardless of travel; recommended through age 26 |
| Influenza | Seasonal influenza | Annually from 6 months of age | Southern Hemisphere flu season runs April–September — timing matters for international travel |
| COVID-19 | COVID-19 | From 6 months; updated annually | 2024–2025 updated vaccine recommended; some destinations may still require documentation |
Routine Vaccines for Adults in New Hampshire
📍 New Hampshire Travel Health Centers & Major Hospitals
Click any marker to view details and get Google Maps directions. Orange = Travel Health Clinic | Blue = Major Hospital
Adult vaccine protection from childhood series can fade significantly over time, and adults face distinct health risks depending on their specific travel destinations and planned activities. The NH DPHS and CDC recommend that all adults review and update the following vaccines — particularly before any international trip.
Td / Tdap Booster
Every adult should receive a Td booster every 10 years. Adults who never received Tdap as an adolescent should substitute one Td dose with Tdap to protect against pertussis (whooping cough). Particularly important for travelers visiting developing countries or rural and remote areas globally.
Every 10 yearsInfluenza (Annual)
Annual flu vaccination is recommended for all adults. The updated 2024–2025 vaccine is widely available at New Hampshire pharmacies, DPHS clinics, and regional hospitals. Travelers to the Southern Hemisphere should note that flu season runs April–September there — timing your flu shot accordingly is important for international travel.
AnnualCOVID-19 (Updated)
The 2024–2025 updated COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for all adults. Available at pharmacies, DPHS health offices, and regional hospitals statewide. Some international destinations may still require documentation of COVID-19 vaccination for entry or transit; confirm your destination's current requirements before departure.
Updated annuallyHepatitis A & B
Adults not vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B in childhood should complete both series before international travel. Hepatitis A (2-dose series) and Hepatitis B (3-dose series) are both high priority for destinations throughout Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe where exposure risk through contaminated food, water, and medical settings is elevated.
Catch-up seriesMeningococcal
MenACWY is recommended for adults at risk and is legally required for Hajj/Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. MenB (serogroup B) is recommended for adults at increased risk. Both meningococcal vaccines are available at Dartmouth Health Travel Medicine and Passport Health Manchester, with appointment required.
Risk-basedPneumococcal & Shingles
Adults 50 and older should receive Shingrix (shingles vaccine) as a 2-dose series. PCV15 or PCV20 (pneumococcal vaccines) are recommended for all adults 65+ and younger adults with specific health conditions. Protect yourself against infections that can become life-threatening in international settings far from home.
Age 50+The Three Categories of Travel Vaccines
Travel vaccines fall into three distinct categories. Understanding each category is essential for any New Hampshire traveler preparing for an international trip. 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 | Dartmouth Health and Passport Health Manchester are NH's CDC-certified YF centers; ICVP Yellow Card required |
| Typhoid | Recommended | South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America | Oral or injectable; available at Dartmouth Health, Passport Health Manchester, and regional hospital clinics |
| Japanese Encephalitis | Recommended | Rural Asia, Southeast Asia | 2-dose series; Dartmouth Health Travel Medicine is the primary NH resource — book well in advance |
| Rabies (pre-exposure) | Recommended | Asia, Africa, Latin America (remote areas) | 3-dose series; advisable for adventure travelers, missionaries, and those working with animals abroad |
| Cholera (Vaxchora) | Recommended | Sub-Saharan Africa, South/Southeast Asia, Haiti | Single oral dose for adults; confirm availability with your NH travel clinic before scheduling |
| Meningococcal ACWY | Required / Recommended | Meningitis Belt (Africa), Saudi Arabia (Hajj/Umrah) | Required for Hajj; strongly recommended for all sub-Saharan Africa travel itineraries |
| Hepatitis A | Recommended | Developing countries worldwide | NH school children vaccinated since Hep A was added to required schedule; adults should confirm status |
| Malaria Prophylaxis | Prescription Rx | Sub-Saharan Africa, South/Southeast Asia, Central America | Not a vaccine — prescription medication available from Dartmouth Health, Passport Health, and regional hospitals |
Main Travel Health & Vaccine Centers in New Hampshire
New Hampshire residents have access to the state's academic medical center travel program, private certified travel clinics, hospital-based infectious disease services, and county public health offices distributed across the Granite State's ten counties. Below are the principal facilities providing travel health services and vaccinations statewide.
Lebanon / Upper Valley
One Dartmouth-Hitchcock Way, Lebanon, NH 03756
(603) 650-5133 | By appointment
Dartmouth Health — formerly Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center — is New Hampshire's only academic medical center and the state's most comprehensive travel health resource. Its infectious disease and travel medicine specialists provide individualized pre-travel consultations, all major travel vaccines including yellow fever, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, and rabies pre-exposure, malaria prophylaxis prescriptions, and specialized post-travel illness evaluation. The gold standard for complex itinerary travel health preparation in New Hampshire and the broader Upper Valley region spanning both New Hampshire and Vermont.
Manchester / Southern New Hampshire
1230 Elm St, Suite 401, Manchester, NH 03101
(603) 232-7428 | By appointment
CDC-designated Yellow Fever immunization center with a full travel vaccine inventory. Provides destination-specific consultations for business travelers, leisure travelers, missionaries, study abroad students, and adventure travelers across Southern New Hampshire. Convenient to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) for last-minute pre-departure travel health needs.
One Elliot Way, Manchester, NH 03103
(603) 663-2200
Manchester's largest hospital and primary Level II Trauma Center. Elliot's infectious disease program provides travel immunization services and post-travel illness evaluation for the Manchester metro area. Contact directly to confirm available vaccines and appointment scheduling.
100 McGregor St, Manchester, NH 03102 | (603) 668-3545
Full-service hospital serving the Manchester metro. Emergency and specialty care available for post-travel illness presentations. Contact for travel vaccine services and infectious disease referrals.
Nashua / Hillsborough County
8 Prospect St, Nashua, NH 03060
(603) 577-2000 | By appointment
Travel vaccine and infectious disease services for Nashua, Hillsborough County, and the New Hampshire-Massachusetts border region. Many Southern NH residents also access Boston's travel medicine resources — including Mass General Hospital — due to proximity via I-93. Contact SNHMC directly to confirm travel vaccine availability and scheduling.
Concord / Central New Hampshire
250 Pleasant St, Concord, NH 03301
(603) 225-2711 | By appointment
Primary hospital for Concord and the state capital region, providing travel health and infectious disease services for Merrimack County and Central New Hampshire. Contact directly to confirm available travel vaccines and scheduling. Concord travelers may also access Dartmouth Health for more complex travel medicine consultations.
Seacoast — Portsmouth & Dover
333 Borthwick Ave, Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-5110 | 24/7 Emergency
Primary Level II Trauma Center serving Portsmouth, Rockingham County, and the New Hampshire Seacoast. Travel vaccine services available through the hospital's clinical programs. Seacoast travelers departing via Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (PSM) should schedule well in advance given the smaller regional airport's service options.
789 Central Ave, Dover, NH 03820
(603) 742-5252
Full-service hospital serving Dover, Durham, the University of New Hampshire community, and Strafford County. Travel immunization services available through hospital clinical programs. University students and faculty traveling internationally should schedule pre-travel consultations here or with Dartmouth Health.
Pre-Travel Health Checklist for New Hampshire Travelers
Follow this step-by-step timeline to ensure you are fully protected before departing from New Hampshire on an international trip.
| Timeframe | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 6+ Weeks Before | Book a travel health consultation | Contact Dartmouth Health Travel Medicine, Passport Health Manchester, Concord Hospital, Elliot Health, or your nearest regional hospital. Research destination requirements at CDC Travelers' Health. Southern NH residents may also consider Boston-area travel medicine centers. |
| At Your Visit | Bring your vaccination records | Receive required and recommended vaccines for your destination. Get prescriptions for malaria prophylaxis if needed. Request your ICVP Yellow Card if yellow fever vaccination is legally required for your destination country. Update NHIIS records via your provider. |
| Follow-Up Visits | Complete multi-dose series | Rabies pre-exposure (3 doses over 21 days), Japanese Encephalitis (2 doses), and Hepatitis A/B catch-up series each require multiple visits. Plan accordingly, especially if your nearest full-service travel clinic requires travel across the state. |
| 1–2 Weeks Before | Confirm all travel health documents | Verify your ICVP (Yellow Card) is correctly stamped, signed, and dated. Pack a travel health kit: oral rehydration salts, antidiarrheal medication, DEET insect repellent (30%+), sunscreen, and all prescription medications including malaria prophylaxis. |
| On Return | Monitor for illness symptoms | If you develop fever, rash, persistent diarrhea, or unusual symptoms within weeks of returning to New Hampshire, contact Dartmouth Health Infectious Disease (Lebanon) or Elliot/Concord Hospital (Manchester/Concord area) immediately and provide your complete travel history. |
Ready to Travel from New Hampshire?
Whether you're flying from Manchester, Portsmouth, or heading down to Boston Logan, start your travel health preparation at least 4–6 weeks before departure. The Granite State's travel health providers — led by Dartmouth Health — are ready to protect you wherever in the world 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.