Pennsylvania: Your Gateway to International Travel Health
A complete guide for Pennsylvania-based travelers preparing for international trips — vaccines, regulations, clinics, and world-class expert resources across the Keystone State.
Pennsylvania & International Travel Health
Pennsylvania — the Keystone State — occupies a central position in American life, history, and medicine. Home to Philadelphia, one of the nation's oldest and most internationally connected cities, and Pittsburgh, a transformed global innovation hub, Pennsylvania is anchored by two of the most prestigious healthcare ecosystems in the United States. Penn Medicine (University of Pennsylvania Health System), Jefferson Health, Temple University Health System, and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) — ranked the #1 children's hospital in the nation — define Philadelphia's world-class medical landscape. In Pittsburgh, UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) — one of the largest health systems in the world — delivers equally exceptional care. Between these two anchor cities, a rich network of regional academic centers including Penn State Health in Hershey and Geisinger Health in Danville extends excellence statewide.
Whether you are departing from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) — the East Coast's major international hub — Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), Harrisburg International Airport (MDT), or Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP), your travel health preparation begins in the Keystone State. This guide covers Pennsylvania's vaccine regulations, routine immunization priorities, travel-specific vaccines, and the principal clinics and hospitals providing expert travel medicine services from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to Allentown, Harrisburg, Erie, and beyond.
Healthcare in Pennsylvania for Travelers
Pennsylvania's travel health ecosystem is among the finest in the United States — anchored by two distinct world-class medical corridors. In Philadelphia, Penn Medicine's Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and Temple University Hospital each operate acclaimed infectious disease and travel medicine programs. In Pittsburgh, UPMC Presbyterian — the flagship of one of the world's largest integrated health systems — provides equally comprehensive travel medicine services. Statewide, Penn State Health Hershey, Geisinger, Lehigh Valley Health Network, and UPMC Hamot in Erie ensure broad geographic access to quality travel health preparation.
State Health Authority
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) Immunization Program oversees vaccine policy, maintains the Pennsylvania Statewide Immunization Information System (PA-SIIS), and coordinates Yellow Fever Vaccination Center certification across the state. School immunization requirements are governed by the Pennsylvania School Code, 24 P.S. § 13-1303a and Pennsylvania Code Title 28, Chapter 23.
World-Class Academic Centers
Penn Medicine and Jefferson Health in Philadelphia are internationally recognized leaders in infectious disease and travel medicine. In Pittsburgh, UPMC — one of the largest health systems in the world — operates a comprehensive travel medicine program. Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center serves as the statewide academic resource for Central Pennsylvania.
Private Travel Clinics
Passport Health operates multiple CDC-certified Yellow Fever vaccination clinics across Pennsylvania — in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Allentown, and State College — providing convenient destination-specific travel vaccine consultations for all traveler types throughout the Keystone State. PADOH county and district health offices supplement statewide access.
Vaccine Regulations in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's school immunization requirements are governed by the Pennsylvania School Code, 24 P.S. § 13-1303a and Pennsylvania Code Title 28, Chapter 23 — the Department of Health's school immunization regulations. Here is what travelers — and parents of young travelers — need to understand about the Keystone State's vaccine framework.
School Entry Requirements
Under Pennsylvania law, children attending public, private, or parochial school must present proof of required immunizations or a valid exemption before enrollment. Required vaccines include DTaP/Tdap, Polio, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A (for childcare/pre-K), and MenACWY (for 7th grade entry). The PA-SIIS registry allows schools and providers to verify immunization status statewide, including cross-state record retrieval.
Exemptions Permitted
Pennsylvania grants exemptions for medical and religious grounds under 28 Pa. Code § 23.84. Medical exemptions require documentation from a licensed physician. Religious exemptions require a signed statement from a parent or guardian objecting on religious grounds. Pennsylvania does not recognize philosophical or personal belief exemptions, placing it among states with a more structured exemption framework that balances individual choice with community health protection.
International Entry Requirements
Pennsylvania does not impose vaccine mandates for residents traveling internationally beyond school requirements. However, destination countries enforce independent legally binding entry conditions. Yellow fever vaccination (ICVP Yellow Card) is required for many sub-Saharan African and South American countries. Philadelphia is a major international hub — PHL serves direct routes to Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and beyond — making destination-specific travel health preparation especially important for Keystone State residents.
Routine Vaccines for Children in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's childhood immunization schedule follows the CDC/ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) recommended schedule. The PADOH Immunization Program works with an extensive network of pediatric providers — including the nationally ranked Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh — to promote on-schedule vaccination statewide. Pennsylvania's dense urban and suburban communities, combined with strong academic pediatric medicine, give the state an excellent foundation for childhood immunization coverage.
| 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 — Africa and Asia travel |
| MMR | Measles, Mumps, Rubella | 2 doses: 12–15 months & 4–6 years | Measles is endemic across Europe, Asia, and Africa; Philadelphia has experienced measles cases — confirm 2 doses |
| Varicella | Chickenpox | 2 doses: 12–15 months & 4–6 years | Required for PA school entry; immunity is important during international travel globally |
| Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B virus | 3-dose series: birth, 1–2 months, 6–18 months | Critical for travel to Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe with high HBV prevalence |
| Hepatitis A | Hepatitis A virus | 2 doses starting at 12–23 months | Required for PA childcare entry; high priority for most international destinations |
| Hib | Haemophilus influenzae type b | 3–4 doses by 15 months | Required for PA childcare; standard protection before international travel |
| PCV (Pneumococcal) | Pneumococcal disease, pneumonia | 4 doses by 15 months | Protects against serious pneumonia — a significant risk in developing-country travel settings |
| Rotavirus | Severe diarrheal disease | 2–3 doses by 8 months | Particularly relevant for travel to developing countries with limited clean water and sanitation |
| MenACWY (Meningococcal) | Meningococcal disease A, C, W, Y | 11–12 years; booster at 16 — required at 7th grade in PA | Required for sub-Saharan Africa travel and Saudi Arabia (Hajj/Umrah) |
| HPV | Human Papillomavirus / cervical cancer | 2–3 doses starting at age 11–12 | Maintain on-schedule vaccination 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 South America and Southern Africa travel |
| COVID-19 | COVID-19 | From 6 months; updated annually | 2024–2025 updated vaccine recommended by CDC; confirm destination documentation requirements before departure |
Routine Vaccines for Adults in Pennsylvania
📍 Pennsylvania 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 wane significantly, and adults face different risk profiles based on specific travel destinations and activities. Pennsylvania's exceptional concentration of academic medical centers means adult travelers across the state have access to the finest travel medicine expertise in the nation.
Td / Tdap Booster
Every adult should receive a Td booster every 10 years. Adults who never received Tdap should substitute one Td dose with Tdap to protect against whooping cough. Particularly important for frequent international travelers, healthcare workers, and those visiting developing-world destinations where wound exposure and limited care access are concerns.
Every 10 yearsInfluenza (Annual)
Annual flu vaccination is recommended for all Pennsylvania adults. The updated 2024–2025 vaccine is widely available at pharmacies, PADOH health offices, and hospitals statewide. Philadelphia International Airport's volume of international passengers from flu-endemic regions creates year-round exposure risk — annual vaccination is especially important for frequent international travelers.
AnnualCOVID-19 (Updated)
The 2024–2025 updated COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for all Pennsylvania adults. Available at pharmacies, PADOH offices, and hospitals statewide. Some international destinations may still require documentation of vaccination status for entry or transit — confirm your destination's current policy well before your PHL or PIT departure.
Updated annuallyHepatitis A & B
Adults not vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B in childhood should complete both series before international travel. Both are high priority for travel throughout Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Pennsylvania's large diaspora communities — South Asian in Philadelphia suburbs, Eastern European throughout the state — often travel to high-prevalence regions for family visits.
Catch-up seriesMeningococcal
MenACWY is recommended for adults at risk and is legally required for Hajj/Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia — an important consideration for Pennsylvania's significant Muslim communities in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. MenB is recommended for adults at increased risk and some college-age travelers. Both vaccines are widely available across Pennsylvania's travel medicine network.
Risk-basedPneumococcal & Shingles
Adults 50 and older should receive Shingrix (shingles vaccine) as a 2-dose series. PCV15 or PCV20 is recommended for adults 65+ and younger adults with specific health conditions. Pennsylvania's world-class academic medical centers are particularly well-suited to managing these vaccines for complex patient populations traveling internationally.
Age 50+The Three Categories of Travel Vaccines
Travel vaccines fall into three distinct categories. Understanding each is essential for any Pennsylvania traveler preparing for an international trip from PHL, PIT, or the state's regional airports. 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 | Penn Medicine, Jefferson, UPMC, and Passport Health (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg) are PA's certified YF centers |
| Typhoid | Recommended | South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America | Oral or injectable; available at all major Pennsylvania travel medicine programs and Passport Health locations statewide |
| Japanese Encephalitis | Recommended | Rural Asia, Southeast Asia | 2-dose series; Penn Medicine, Jefferson, and UPMC are Pennsylvania's primary resources for this specialty vaccine |
| Rabies (pre-exposure) | Recommended | Asia, Africa, Latin America (remote areas) | 3-dose series; advisable for adventure travelers, missionaries, and those working with animals internationally |
| Cholera (Vaxchora) | Recommended | Sub-Saharan Africa, South/Southeast Asia, Haiti | Single oral dose for adults; available at Penn Medicine, Jefferson, and UPMC — confirm when scheduling |
| Meningococcal ACWY | Required / Recommended | Meningitis Belt (Africa), Saudi Arabia (Hajj/Umrah) | Required for Hajj — relevant for PA's significant Muslim communities; strongly recommended for all Africa travel |
| Hepatitis A | Recommended | Developing countries worldwide | Required in PA childcare; adults not vaccinated in childhood should catch up before any international travel |
| Malaria Prophylaxis | Prescription Rx | Sub-Saharan Africa, South/Southeast Asia, Central America | Not a vaccine — prescription medication available from Penn Medicine, Jefferson, UPMC, and Passport Health statewide |
Main Travel Health & Vaccine Centers in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's travel health resources span world-class academic programs in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, strong regional academic centers in Hershey and Danville, private CDC-certified travel clinics statewide, and PADOH county and district health offices across all 67 counties. Below are the principal facilities providing travel health services and vaccinations across the Keystone State.
Philadelphia / Southeastern Pennsylvania
3400 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 662-4000 | By appointment
Penn Medicine's Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania — consistently ranked among the nation's top academic medical centers — operates one of the most comprehensive travel medicine programs in the eastern United States. Penn's infectious disease and travel medicine specialists provide individualized pre-travel consultations, yellow fever certification, the complete range of travel vaccines including rare specialty vaccines, malaria prophylaxis prescriptions, and world-class post-travel illness diagnosis and treatment. A premier resource for complex itineraries, immunocompromised travelers, and any Pennsylvania resident requiring the highest standard of pre-travel preparation.
111 S 11th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 955-6840
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital's Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease program is one of Philadelphia's most storied academic travel health resources. Jefferson's team provides comprehensive pre-travel consultations, all major travel vaccines, yellow fever certification, malaria prophylaxis, and post-travel illness evaluation — serving the Philadelphia metro and the densely populated Southeastern Pennsylvania region with deep clinical expertise.
1601 Walnut St, Suite 1011, Philadelphia, PA 19102 | (215) 569-7428
CDC-designated Yellow Fever vaccination center in Center City Philadelphia. Full travel vaccine inventory with destination-specific consultations for business travelers, leisure travelers, missionaries, and all traveler types. Conveniently located for Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) departures and for travelers throughout the greater Philadelphia metro area.
3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 590-1000 | By appointment
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia — ranked the #1 children's hospital in the United States by U.S. News & World Report — operates one of the nation's leading pediatric travel medicine programs. CHOP's travel medicine specialists are uniquely equipped to evaluate children with complex medical conditions, immunocompromising diagnoses, or special needs before international travel. CHOP's post-travel illness evaluation and tropical pediatric medicine capabilities are among the finest in the world.
Pittsburgh / Western Pennsylvania
3708 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 647-7228 | By appointment
UPMC's Travel Medicine clinic — operated through one of the world's largest integrated health systems — is Western Pennsylvania's most comprehensive travel health resource. UPMC infectious disease and travel medicine specialists provide individualized pre-travel consultations, yellow fever certification, all major travel vaccines, malaria prophylaxis prescriptions, and expert post-travel illness evaluation for Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and the entire Western Pennsylvania region. The definitive resource for complex itineraries and immunocompromised travelers in Western PA.
4 PPG Place, Suite 430, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 281-0844
CDC-designated Yellow Fever vaccination center conveniently located in Downtown Pittsburgh. Full travel vaccine inventory with destination-specific consultations for Pittsburgh's significant international business traveler community — including corporate travelers in the technology, healthcare, finance, and natural resources sectors with frequent international travel needs.
Harrisburg / Hershey / Central Pennsylvania
500 University Dr, Hershey, PA 17033
(717) 531-8521 | By appointment
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center — Central Pennsylvania's flagship academic Level I Trauma Center — operates the region's premier travel medicine program. Penn State's infectious disease team provides pre-travel consultations, yellow fever certification, all major travel vaccines, and post-travel illness evaluation for the Harrisburg, Hershey, Lebanon, and York corridor, as well as state government employees who frequently travel internationally on official business.
4905 Jonestown Rd, Suite 102, Harrisburg, PA 17109 | (717) 652-7428
CDC-designated Yellow Fever vaccination center serving Harrisburg, Dauphin County, and South-Central Pennsylvania. Convenient option for capital region travelers who prefer a private travel clinic for their pre-departure vaccine preparation.
Lehigh Valley, Scranton & Northeast Pennsylvania
1200 S Cedar Crest Blvd, Allentown, PA 18103
(610) 402-8000 | By appointment
Lehigh Valley Health Network — Northeastern Pennsylvania's primary Level I Trauma health system — provides travel health and immunization services through its Allentown campus. Serving the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton metropolitan area, the Poconos, and the broader Lehigh Valley. Contact directly to confirm available travel vaccines and appointment scheduling. Northeastern PA travelers can also access Philadelphia's world-class programs via I-78 (approximately 60 miles).
Pre-Travel Health Checklist for Pennsylvania Travelers
Follow this step-by-step timeline to ensure you are fully protected before departing from Pennsylvania on an international trip — whether from Philadelphia International, Pittsburgh, or the state's regional airports.
| Timeframe | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 6+ Weeks Before | Book a travel health consultation | Contact Penn Medicine Travel Medicine, Jefferson Health, UPMC Travel Medicine, CHOP (for children), Penn State Health Hershey, Lehigh Valley Health Network, or Passport Health. Research destination requirements at CDC Travelers' Health. Philadelphia programs can book out 6+ weeks — plan early. |
| 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 is legally required for your destination country. Ask your provider to review your PA-SIIS records to identify and address any gaps in routine adult vaccination history. |
| Follow-Up Visits | Complete multi-dose series | Rabies pre-exposure (3 doses over 21 days), Hepatitis A catch-up (2 doses), Japanese Encephalitis (2 doses), and Hepatitis B catch-up (3 doses) all require multiple visits. Pennsylvania's dense travel medicine network in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh makes completing multi-dose series particularly convenient compared to more rural states. |
| 1–2 Weeks Before | Confirm all travel health documents | Verify your ICVP (Yellow Card) is correctly stamped, signed, dated, and uses an approved official stamp. Pack a travel health kit: oral rehydration salts, antidiarrheal medication, DEET insect repellent (30%+), sunscreen, and all prescription medications including malaria prophylaxis. Confirm sufficient supply for the full travel period plus buffer for any delays. |
| On Return | Monitor for illness symptoms | If you develop fever, rash, persistent diarrhea, jaundice, or unusual symptoms within weeks of returning to Pennsylvania, contact Penn Medicine Infectious Disease (Philadelphia), Jefferson Health, or UPMC Infectious Disease (Pittsburgh) immediately. Provide your complete travel history including every country visited, dates, activities, and any animal or insect exposures. Early diagnosis is critical for tropical diseases. |
Ready to Travel from Pennsylvania?
Whether you're departing from Philadelphia International, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Allentown, or Erie — Pennsylvania's world-class travel health providers are ready to protect you. Start your pre-travel consultation at least 4–6 weeks before departure and travel with confidence from the Keystone State.
This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider for personalized travel health advice. Information current as of 2025–2026.