Texas: Your Gateway to International Travel Health
A complete guide for Texas-based travelers preparing for international trips — vaccines, regulations, clinics, and expert resources across the Lone Star State, from the Texas Medical Center to the US–Mexico border.
Texas & International Travel Health
Texas — the Lone Star State — is the second largest state in the United States by both area and population, spanning nearly 270,000 square miles from the Gulf Coast and the Rio Grande Valley in the south to the Panhandle plains in the north, and from the Piney Woods of East Texas to the Chihuahuan Desert of the Trans-Pecos. Texas shares the longest US–Mexico international border of any state — approximately 1,254 miles — with major crossings at El Paso, Laredo (the busiest inland port of entry in the entire United States), McAllen, and Brownsville. This unique geographic reality makes Texas a state with profound, year-round international travel health considerations unlike almost any other.
Texas is home to the Texas Medical Center (TMC) in Houston — the largest medical complex in the world, encompassing more than 60 institutions including UTHealth Houston, Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, and Texas Children's Hospital. UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas is consistently ranked among the nation's top academic medical centers, and University Health / UT Health San Antonio anchors travel medicine in Texas's second-largest city. Texas residents travel internationally in massive numbers — for business (Houston's global energy sector, Dallas's Fortune 500 headquarters concentration), faith-based missions, military deployments, family visits across the border, study abroad, and leisure. Whether departing from George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW), San Antonio International (SAT), Austin-Bergstrom (AUS), or El Paso International (ELP) — your travel health preparation begins here in Texas.
Healthcare in Texas for Travelers
Texas offers some of the most powerful travel health infrastructure in the entire United States. The Texas Medical Center in Houston — the world's largest medical complex — is home to multiple nationally and internationally recognized travel medicine programs. UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas provides first-rate academic travel medicine for North Texas. University Health / UT Health San Antonio serves the Alamo City. Private travel clinic networks — led by Passport Health and Kelsey-Seybold — blanket the state's major metropolitan areas. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) maintains immunization oversight via the statewide ImmTrac2 registry and the network of Local Health Departments (LHDs) across all 254 Texas counties.
State Health Authority
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Immunization Program oversees vaccine policy, maintains the ImmTrac2 Immunization Registry, certifies Yellow Fever Vaccination Centers statewide, and coordinates public health immunization through all 254 county health departments. School immunization requirements are governed by Texas Education Code § 38.001 and Texas Administrative Code Title 25, Chapter 97.
Academic Medical Centers
The Texas Medical Center (Houston) — world's largest — and UT Southwestern (Dallas) offer Texas's most comprehensive infectious disease and travel medicine programs. University Health / UT Health San Antonio and UTMB Galveston (whose School of Tropical and Infectious Diseases is among the nation's most specialized) round out Texas's academic travel health leadership.
Private Travel Clinics
Passport Health operates CDC-certified Yellow Fever vaccination clinics across Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso. Kelsey-Seybold Travel Medicine — one of Houston's most respected multi-specialty group practices — provides destination-specific pre-travel consultations and all major travel vaccines. DSHS Local Health Departments provide supplemental immunization services statewide.
Vaccine Regulations in Texas
Texas's school immunization requirements are governed by Texas Education Code § 38.001 and Texas Administrative Code Title 25, Chapter 97. Here is what travelers — and parents of young travelers — need to understand about the Lone Star State's vaccine framework, including its unique exemption structure.
School Entry Requirements
Under Texas Education Code § 38.001, children attending any public or private school must present proof of required immunizations or a valid exemption. Required vaccines include DTaP/Tdap, Polio, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, MenACWY for 7th grade entry, and Meningococcal B for college entry. The ImmTrac2 registry is used to track and verify immunization records statewide. Childcare facilities also mandate age-appropriate vaccination schedules under DSHS childcare licensing rules.
Exemptions Permitted
Texas grants exemptions for medical and reasons of conscience (which includes religious beliefs). Medical exemptions require a licensed physician's signed statement. Exemptions for reasons of conscience require the parent or guardian to request and complete an official Affidavit Request form from DSHS — verbal or handwritten personal statements are not accepted. This structured process was designed to ensure exemptions reflect a deliberate, documented decision rather than simple administrative convenience.
International Entry Requirements
Texas does not impose vaccine mandates for residents traveling internationally beyond school and childcare settings. However, destination countries enforce independent legally binding entry conditions. Yellow fever certification is required for many sub-Saharan African and South American destinations. Texas's extensive cross-border communities — with deep family and economic ties to Mexico and Central America — face practical travel health considerations that extend well beyond formal entry requirements.
Routine Vaccines for Children in Texas
Texas's childhood immunization schedule follows the CDC/ACIP recommended schedule. The DSHS Immunization Program partners with pediatric providers statewide — anchored by Texas Children's Hospital in Houston (the nation's largest children's hospital), Children's Medical Center Dallas (UT Southwestern affiliated), and Children's Hospital of San Antonio — to promote on-schedule vaccination across Texas's vast geography, from the Gulf Coast to the Panhandle.
| Vaccine | Disease(s) Prevented | Typical Schedule | Notes for Travelers |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTaP / Tdap | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis | 5 doses by age 6; Tdap booster at 11–12 | Wound contamination risk is elevated in many international destinations; confirm current status before departure |
| Polio (IPV) | Poliomyelitis | 4 doses by age 4–6 | Some countries require proof of polio vaccination for entry or exit — critical for Africa and South Asia travel |
| MMR | Measles, Mumps, Rubella | 2 doses: 12–15 months & 4–6 years | Measles is endemic in many countries; confirm 2 documented doses before any international trip |
| Varicella | Chickenpox | 2 doses: 12–15 months & 4–6 years | Required for TX school entry; immunity critical in international travel settings |
| 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 TX school entry; especially important for US–Mexico border travel and all developing-country destinations |
| 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 globally — important for all international travel itineraries |
| Rotavirus | Severe diarrheal disease | 2–3 doses by 8 months | Particularly relevant for Texas families traveling to Mexico, Central America, and other developing-country destinations |
| MenACWY (Meningococcal) | Meningococcal disease A, C, W, Y | 11–12 years; booster at 16 — required at 7th grade in TX | Required for sub-Saharan Africa travel and Saudi Arabia (Hajj/Umrah pilgrimage) |
| MenB (Meningococcal B) | Meningococcal disease B | College entry — required in TX for new college students | Texas is among states requiring MenB for college entry; provides additional meningitis protection for student travelers |
| HPV | Human Papillomavirus / cervical cancer | 2–3 doses starting at age 11–12 | Maintain on-schedule vaccination regardless of travel disruptions; recommended through age 26 |
| Influenza | Seasonal influenza | Annually from 6 months of age | Southern Hemisphere flu season (April–September) is critical for Latin American, Africa, and Australia travel |
| COVID-19 | COVID-19 | From 6 months; updated annually | 2024–2025 updated vaccine recommended by CDC; confirm any destination entry documentation requirements before departure |
Routine Vaccines for Adults in Texas
📍 Texas 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 unique health risks based on their specific travel destinations and activities. The DSHS and CDC recommend all Texas adults review and update the following vaccines — particularly before any international trip from IAH, DFW, SAT, AUS, ELP, or other Texas airports.
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 pertussis. Important for Texas travelers visiting developing countries — particularly those engaging in outdoor activities, mission work, or community service in rural areas where wound care and tetanus exposure risk is elevated.
Every 10 yearsInfluenza (Annual)
Annual flu vaccination is recommended for all Texas adults. The updated 2024–2025 vaccine is available at pharmacies, DSHS health offices, and hospital systems statewide. Southern Hemisphere flu season (April–September) is especially relevant for Texas travelers heading to Mexico, Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia during the US off-season.
AnnualCOVID-19 (Updated)
The 2024–2025 updated COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for all Texas adults. Available at pharmacies, DSHS health offices, and major hospital networks statewide. Some international destinations may require documentation for entry or transit — confirm your destination's current policy before departure from IAH, DFW, or any Texas international airport.
Updated annuallyHepatitis A & B
Adults not vaccinated in childhood should complete both series before international travel. Hepatitis A is critically important for Texas's vast cross-border community and anyone traveling to Mexico, Central America, or any developing country — where food and water contamination risk is endemic. Hepatitis B is high priority for Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe travel.
Catch-up seriesMeningococcal
MenACWY is required for Hajj/Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and strongly recommended for all sub-Saharan Africa travel. MenB is now required for Texas college entry. Houston's large Muslim community and active Hajj pilgrimage travel makes meningococcal vaccine awareness a particular priority for the Texas Medical Center–area travel medicine programs.
Risk-based / College entryPneumococcal & 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. Texas's large retiree population — particularly in communities like The Woodlands, Plano, Frisco, San Antonio, and along the Gulf Coast — should prioritize both vaccines before international travel to distant destinations.
Age 50+The Three Categories of Travel Vaccines
Travel vaccines fall into three distinct categories. Understanding each is essential for any Texas traveler preparing for an international trip. Your travel health provider — whether at the Texas Medical Center, UT Southwestern, University Health SA, Passport Health, or Kelsey-Seybold — will assess all three during your pre-travel consultation.
| Travel Vaccine | Category | Key Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | Required | Sub-Saharan Africa, tropical South America | Multiple CDC-certified YF centers across Texas: Kelsey-Seybold, UTHealth, UT Southwestern, University Health SA, and all Passport Health TX locations |
| Typhoid | Recommended | South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America, Mexico | High priority for Texas's large cross-border community — oral or injectable available statewide at travel clinics and major hospital programs |
| Japanese Encephalitis | Recommended | Rural Asia, Southeast Asia | 2-dose series; Texas Medical Center (UTHealth, Kelsey-Seybold) and UT Southwestern are the primary TX resources for this specialty vaccine |
| Rabies (pre-exposure) | Recommended | Asia, Africa, Latin America (remote areas) | 3-dose series; strongly advisable for Texas missionaries, adventure travelers, and those working with animals internationally |
| Cholera (Vaxchora) | Recommended | Sub-Saharan Africa, South/Southeast Asia, Haiti | Single oral dose for adults; confirm availability with your Texas travel clinic — Texas Medical Center programs can source this vaccine reliably |
| Meningococcal ACWY | Required / Recommended | Meningitis Belt (Africa), Saudi Arabia (Hajj/Umrah) | Required for Hajj — Houston's large Muslim community with annual Hajj pilgrimage travel makes this a priority at Texas Medical Center travel programs |
| Hepatitis A | Recommended | Mexico, Central and South America, developing countries worldwide | Required for TX school entry; essential for Texas's extensive cross-border family travel — one of the most important vaccines for any Texas international traveler |
| Malaria Prophylaxis | Prescription Rx | Sub-Saharan Africa, South/Southeast Asia, Central America | Not a vaccine — prescription medication. Available from Kelsey-Seybold, UTHealth, UT Southwestern, University Health SA, Passport Health, and UTMB Galveston's tropical medicine program |
Main Travel Health & Vaccine Centers in Texas
Texas's travel health resources span the world's largest medical complex in Houston, top-ranked academic programs in Dallas and San Antonio, private travel clinic networks across every major metropolitan area, and public health immunization services in all 254 counties — including the US–Mexico border communities where cross-border travel health considerations are uniquely critical.
Houston / Texas Medical Center
TMC Campus, Houston, TX 77030 (multiple institutions)
Kelsey-Seybold: (713) 442-0000 | UTHealth: (713) 500-6700
The Texas Medical Center (TMC) in Houston is the largest medical complex on the planet — comprising more than 60 institutions, 21 hospitals, and eight specialty institutions, with more than 10 million patient visits annually. For Texas travelers, this concentration of world-class infectious disease and tropical medicine expertise is unmatched anywhere in the southern United States. Key TMC travel health programs include Kelsey-Seybold Travel Medicine — Houston's premier multi-specialty group — and UTHealth Houston Travel Medicine. Additional travel medicine resources exist within Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann, and Baylor College of Medicine — all located within the TMC campus. For complex itineraries, rare vaccines, immunocompromised travelers, and Houston's large expatriate and global energy sector workforce, the TMC is the definitive Texas travel health resource.
3 Greenway Plaza, Suite 450, Houston, TX 77046
(713) 840-7428
CDC-designated Yellow Fever vaccination center in Greenway Plaza, conveniently located between Uptown and the Texas Medical Center. Serves Houston's global energy sector workforce, international business travelers, missionaries, study abroad students, and all Houston-area travelers. Full travel vaccine inventory with destination-specific consultations. A practical choice for Houston travelers seeking a dedicated private travel clinic experience separate from the TMC hospital programs.
Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex
5939 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390
(214) 648-3111 | By appointment
UT Southwestern Medical Center — home of multiple Nobel laureates and consistently ranked among the nation's top academic medical centers — operates North Texas's most comprehensive travel medicine and infectious disease program. UTSW's infectious disease specialists provide individualized pre-travel consultations, CDC-certified yellow fever vaccination, the full range of travel vaccines including specialty vaccines, malaria prophylaxis prescriptions, and expert post-travel illness evaluation. The definitive resource for Dallas–Fort Worth's enormous Fortune 500 business traveler community, study abroad students from UT Dallas, SMU, and TCU, and anyone in North Texas requiring high-complexity travel health preparation.
15110 N Dallas Pkwy, Suite 100, Addison, TX 75001 | (972) 661-7428
CDC-designated Yellow Fever vaccination center in Addison, conveniently accessible from DFW Airport. Full travel vaccine inventory for DFW Metroplex travelers — business executives, missionaries, military families from Fort Worth installations, and students from North Texas universities. Contact to confirm appointment availability and specific vaccine inventory.
San Antonio / South Texas
4502 Medical Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229
(210) 358-3045 | By appointment
University Health — San Antonio's Level I Trauma Center and UT Health San Antonio's academic hospital — provides travel medicine and infectious disease consultation for the Alamo City and South Texas. San Antonio presents unique travel health demographics: the city hosts Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) — including Fort Sam Houston, Lackland AFB, and Randolph AFB — and Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), the nation's largest military hospital. Active-duty service members, civilian employees, and military families traveling internationally require current and comprehensive travel health preparation. University Health's academic infectious disease program is San Antonio's primary civilian travel medicine resource.
7373 Broadway, Suite 111, San Antonio, TX 78209
(210) 822-7428
CDC-designated Yellow Fever vaccination center in San Antonio. Serves civilian travelers throughout San Antonio and South Texas with full travel vaccine inventory and destination-specific consultations. A practical alternative to the hospital-based University Health program — well-suited for travelers requiring a streamlined private travel clinic experience before departing from San Antonio International Airport.
Austin / Central Texas
9442 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Suite 500, Austin, TX 78759
(512) 343-7428 | By appointment
CDC-designated Yellow Fever vaccination center serving Austin and Central Texas. Austin's rapidly growing international connectivity — driven by its booming tech sector, UT Austin's large international student and faculty population, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport's expanding international route network — creates strong demand for travel health services. Passport Health Austin provides the full travel vaccine menu with destination-specific consultations for Austin's diverse traveler community. For complex travel medicine consultations, Austin travelers can also access UT Southwestern (Dallas) or Texas Medical Center (Houston) resources within a 2–3 hour drive.
El Paso & the US–Mexico Border
UMC: 4815 Alameda Ave, El Paso, TX 79905 | Passport Health: 221 N Kansas St, El Paso, TX 79901
UMC: (915) 521-7602 | Passport Health: (915) 544-7428
El Paso sits at one of the largest US–Mexico border crossings in the world, sharing a metropolitan area with Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. University Medical Center of El Paso (UMC) — West Texas's Level I Trauma Center — provides infectious disease and travel health services. Passport Health El Paso provides CDC-certified Yellow Fever vaccination and comprehensive travel vaccine consultations for El Paso and the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert border region. El Paso's unique cross-border health dynamics — including Hepatitis A circulation, enteric disease exposure, and regular travel deeper into Mexico and Latin America — make pre-travel consultation essential for this community. William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss also provides travel medicine services for the large military community stationed in El Paso.
Laredo: 2600 Cedar Ave, Laredo, TX 78040 | (956) 523-3030
Laredo — the largest inland port of entry in the United States — and the Rio Grande Valley communities (McAllen, Brownsville, Harlingen) are served by DSHS Local Health Departments providing public health immunization services. Travelers from these border communities frequently travel to Mexico and Central America for family visits and business — Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and updated routine vaccine status are particularly critical in this region. Contact your local DSHS health department for appointment scheduling.
Pre-Travel Health Checklist for Texas Travelers
Follow this step-by-step timeline to ensure you are fully protected before departing from Texas on an international trip — whether from Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, or any other Texas departure point.
| Timeframe | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 6+ Weeks Before | Book a travel health consultation | Contact Kelsey-Seybold or UTHealth (Houston), UT Southwestern (Dallas), University Health or Passport Health (San Antonio), Passport Health (Austin), UMC or Passport Health (El Paso), or DSHS Local Health Department. Research destination requirements at CDC Travelers' Health. For rare vaccines or complex itineraries, Texas Medical Center programs can source virtually any travel vaccine available in the US. |
| 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. Ask your provider to review your ImmTrac2 records to identify any gaps in your routine adult vaccination history that should be addressed before departure. |
| Follow-Up Visits | Complete multi-dose series | Rabies pre-exposure (3 doses), Hepatitis A catch-up (2 doses), Japanese Encephalitis (2 doses), and Hepatitis B catch-up (3 doses) require multiple visits spaced weeks apart. Texas Medical Center and UT Southwestern programs are experienced in expediting vaccine series for travelers with firm departure dates — discuss your timeline at your first appointment. |
| 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. Confirm you have sufficient supply for your full travel period plus any layover stays. |
| On Return | Monitor for illness symptoms | If you develop fever, rash, persistent diarrhea, jaundice, or unusual symptoms within weeks of returning to Texas, contact the Texas Medical Center (Kelsey-Seybold, UTHealth, Houston Methodist Infectious Disease), UT Southwestern Infectious Disease (Dallas), University Health (San Antonio), or UMC (El Paso) immediately. Always provide your complete travel history — every country, date, activity, and potential exposure. |
Ready to Travel from Texas?
From the world's largest medical complex in Houston to the US–Mexico border at El Paso, Laredo, and McAllen — Texas's travel health providers are among the finest in the nation. Start your pre-travel consultation at least 4–6 weeks before departure and travel with confidence from the Lone Star 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.