Austin, Texas — Travel Health Guide for International Travelers
Travel clinics, hospitals, vaccine requirements, and pre-travel health resources for Austin-based international travelers — including tech professionals, UT students, and VFR travelers.
Austin is one of America's fastest-growing cities and a major international travel hub, with Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) operating direct routes to Europe, Latin America, and beyond. The city's large technology sector, university population, and vibrant VFR (visiting friends and relatives) community from Latin America and Asia make travel health preparation particularly important. Whether you're heading to Southeast Asia on business, Central America on vacation, or Sub-Saharan Africa for humanitarian work, Austin has a strong network of travel medicine resources to prepare you.
Vaccine Regulations in Texas
School Requirements
Texas requires DTaP, Polio, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Meningococcal vaccines for school entry. Requirements are set by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
Exemptions
Texas allows medical and religious exemptions from school vaccine requirements. Exemption rates in Austin are above average — travelers should ensure their own vaccines are current regardless.
International Travel
No state-mandated international travel vaccines. Destination requirements vary significantly — yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for entry into many countries in Africa and South America.
Routine Vaccines for Children Traveling from Austin
| Vaccine | Disease | Schedule | Travel Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MMR | Measles, Mumps, Rubella | 2 doses | Critical — measles outbreaks ongoing globally; confirm 2 doses before any international travel |
| Polio | Poliomyelitis | 4 doses | Adult booster recommended for international travel; some destinations require proof |
| DTaP | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis | 5 doses | Tdap booster recommended for travel to developing regions |
| Varicella | Chickenpox | 2 doses | Required for school; important for international travel especially to Asia |
| Hepatitis A | HAV | 2 doses | Strongly recommended for all international travelers; food and water-borne risk globally |
| Hepatitis B | HBV | 3 doses | Essential for any destination with medical care risk or extended stay |
| Meningococcal | Meningitis | 2 doses (MenACWY) | Required for Saudi Arabia (Hajj/Umrah); recommended for sub-Saharan Africa |
Recommended Vaccines for Adults
Tdap / Tetanus
Booster every 10 years. Essential before travel to areas with limited medical access.
Influenza
Annual. Influenza circulates year-round in the tropics — get vaccinated before departure.
COVID-19
Stay current with updated boosters. Some destinations still have entry requirements.
Hepatitis A & B
Strongly recommended for virtually all international travel destinations.
Typhoid
Recommended for travel to South Asia, Africa, and Latin America beyond resort areas.
Shingles (Shingrix)
Recommended for adults 50+. 2-dose series; discuss timing with your travel clinic.
International Travel Vaccines Available in Austin
| Vaccine | Category | Key Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | Required | Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon Basin, South America | Certificate required for entry into 40+ countries; valid for life |
| Typhoid | Recommended | South Asia, Africa, Latin America | Injectable (2yr) or oral (5yr); essential for VFR travelers |
| Hepatitis A | Recommended | All developing regions | 2-dose series; 20+ years protection |
| Hepatitis B | Recommended | All international destinations | 3-dose series; Twinrix combines Hep A+B |
| Rabies | Recommended | Asia, Africa, Latin America | Pre-exposure series (3 doses); essential for rural/adventure travel |
| Japanese Encephalitis | Recommended | Rural Asia, Southeast Asia | 2-dose series; for extended rural stays in Asia |
| Meningococcal | Situational | Sub-Saharan Africa, Saudi Arabia | Required for Hajj/Umrah; recommended for meningitis belt |
| Malaria Prophylaxis | Medication | Africa, South/Southeast Asia, parts of Latin America | Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine — discuss itinerary with clinic |
Austin Travel Health Clinics & Hospitals
Click any marker to view clinic details, hours, and get driving directions.
Austin Traveler Pre-Departure Checklist
| Timeframe | Action |
|---|---|
| 6–8 Weeks Before | Book travel medicine consultation at Passport Health (Spicewood, Westlake, or South Austin) or UT Health Austin — bring your full itinerary including layover countries |
| At Clinic Visit | Receive destination vaccines, malaria prescription, yellow fever certificate (if needed), and personalized health briefing |
| 2–4 Weeks Before | Purchase comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage — US health plans do not cover care abroad |
| 1–2 Weeks Before | Enroll in STEP at step.state.gov | Confirm passport validity (6 months beyond return date) | Check destination-specific entry requirements |
| Day of Departure | Carry Yellow Card if required | Pack prescriptions in original packaging | Save US Embassy number for your destination |
| After Return | Monitor for fever, rash, or diarrhea up to 3 weeks after return — tell your doctor you traveled internationally |
Traveling from Austin? Stay Healthy Abroad.
Book your travel health consultation at least 4–6 weeks before departure. Austin's travel clinics carry all required and recommended vaccines for every major international destination.