Virginia Beach, VA: Your Gateway to International Travel Health
A complete guide for Virginia Beach-based travelers preparing for international trips — vaccines, regulations, clinics, and expert resources across Hampton Roads and beyond.
Virginia Beach & International Travel Health
Virginia Beach is Virginia's largest city by population and one of the most distinctive travel health markets in the United States. As home to the largest concentration of military personnel and veterans in the country — anchored by Naval Station Norfolk, NAS Oceana, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, and Langley Air Force Base — Virginia Beach has a uniquely mobile population with extensive international travel experience and sophisticated travel health awareness. Beyond the military community, the city's large Filipino, Korean, Nigerian, Indian, and Hispanic communities generate a substantial volume of visiting-friends-and-relatives (VFR) travel to Southeast Asia, West Africa, South Asia, and Latin America.
Hampton Roads — encompassing Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Newport News — offers solid access to travel health services through private travel clinics, Sentara Health System, Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS), military treatment facilities, and CDC-recognized yellow fever vaccination providers. Residents departing from Norfolk International Airport (ORF) or Richmond International Airport (RIC) travel worldwide for tourism, business, military deployment support, family visits, and religious travel. This guide brings together the essential travel-health information Virginia Beach travelers need before heading overseas.
Healthcare in Virginia Beach for Travelers
Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads region provide strong travel-health infrastructure for both military and civilian residents preparing for international trips. Travelers can access pre-travel consultations, routine immunization review, malaria prescriptions, destination-specific vaccine counseling, and post-travel assessment through private travel clinic chains, Sentara Health System hospitals, Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS), military treatment facilities, and the Virginia Beach Department of Public Health. Active-duty military members and dependents have access to travel medicine resources through military treatment facilities; civilian residents rely primarily on Passport Health, Sentara, and EVMS-affiliated providers.
State Health Authority
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) oversees immunization policy statewide, maintains the Virginia Immunization Information System (VIIS), and certifies authorized yellow fever vaccination providers across Virginia. The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health manages local immunization programs and outreach for Virginia Beach City residents.
Academic Travel Medicine
Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) — Hampton Roads' academic medical institution — offers infectious disease and travel medicine services through its clinical network, including pre-travel evaluation, destination-specific vaccines, malaria prophylaxis, and post-travel illness assessment for Virginia Beach and broader Hampton Roads patients.
Private Travel Clinics
Passport Health operates clinics in Virginia Beach and across Hampton Roads including locations in Norfolk and Chesapeake. These clinics offer yellow fever, typhoid, rabies, hepatitis A/B, Japanese encephalitis, and additional travel vaccines with same-week appointments often available for Virginia Beach-area residents and military family members.
Vaccine Regulations in Virginia
Virginia follows a school immunization schedule aligned with CDC recommendations. For outbound international travel from Virginia Beach, entry rules are set by the destination country rather than by the state. Virginia's primary role for travelers is maintaining the VIIS immunization registry, supporting yellow fever certification sites, and ensuring strong routine vaccination standards for a highly mobile population that includes frequent military PCS moves and overseas deployments.
School Entry Requirements
Children in Virginia — including Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS), one of the largest school districts in the state — must receive required immunizations to attend school. Required vaccines include DTaP/Tdap, polio, MMR, hepatitis B, varicella, meningococcal, and hepatitis A according to age and grade rules set by VDH.
Exemption Policy
Virginia allows medical and religious exemptions from school immunization requirements. Medical exemptions require documentation from a licensed Virginia healthcare provider. Religious exemptions must be submitted to the school in writing. Virginia's military-heavy population generally maintains high immunization rates given service requirements.
International Travel Rules
Virginia does not require residents to be vaccinated before leaving the state, but many countries require or recommend specific vaccines. Yellow fever is a legal requirement for entry to parts of tropical Africa and South America — destinations frequently visited by Virginia Beach's Nigerian, Filipino, and other diaspora communities — and meningococcal vaccine is required for Hajj and Umrah travel.
Routine Vaccines for Children in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach follows Virginia's nationally recommended childhood and adolescent immunization schedules. For travel medicine, routine vaccines matter just as much as travel-specific shots. Virginia Beach's uniquely mobile military family population means many children have lived or traveled overseas already — but a pre-travel review is still important before each new international destination. The city's Filipino, Nigerian, Korean, Indian, and Hispanic communities also send children to visit relatives in Southeast Asia, West Africa, South Asia, and Latin America, where destination-specific vaccines are frequently needed.
| Vaccine | Disease(s) Prevented | Typical Schedule | Notes for Travelers |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTaP / Tdap | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis | 5 childhood doses; adolescent Tdap booster | Important for wound and respiratory protection during international travel |
| Polio (IPV) | Poliomyelitis | 4 doses in childhood | Some travelers to polio-affected areas may need an adult booster before departure |
| MMR | Measles, Mumps, Rubella | 2 doses | Measles remains one of the most important routine vaccines for international travel |
| Varicella | Chickenpox | 2 doses | Important for children and teens without prior disease or vaccination history |
| Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B virus | 3-dose infant/childhood series | Essential baseline protection for travel, especially for longer stays or medical care abroad |
| Hepatitis A | Hepatitis A virus | 2 doses beginning at 12 months | Required for Virginia school entry; high priority for VFR travel to the Philippines, Nigeria, India, and Latin America |
| Hib | Haemophilus influenzae type b | 3–4 doses | Important routine pediatric protection, especially for younger children |
| PCV | Pneumococcal disease | 4-dose series | Helps reduce severe bacterial disease risk during travel |
| Rotavirus | Severe diarrheal disease | 2–3 doses in infancy | Relevant because diarrheal illnesses remain common in many travel destinations |
| MenACWY | Meningococcal disease A, C, W, Y | 11–12 years; booster at 16 | Required for Virginia school entry and for Hajj/Umrah; essential for travel to sub-Saharan Africa — particularly relevant for Virginia Beach's Nigerian and West African diaspora community |
| HPV | Human papillomavirus | 2–3 doses beginning age 11–12 | Not travel-specific, but part of complete adolescent preventive care |
| Influenza | Seasonal influenza | Annually | Seasonality differs by region and hemisphere; timing matters for travel |
| COVID-19 | COVID-19 | According to current CDC age guidance | Destination policies can change; verify current rules before departure |
Routine Vaccines for Adults in Virginia Beach
Adult travelers should not assume childhood immunizations remain sufficient for life. Virginia Beach travel clinics typically review tetanus status, influenza, COVID-19, hepatitis A and B, shingles, pneumococcal vaccination, and any destination-linked concerns. Virginia Beach's large military population brings unique considerations — active-duty members receive required vaccines through their branch of service, but dependents and veterans traveling independently should seek civilian travel medicine consultations. For the city's Filipino, Nigerian, and Korean VFR traveler communities, hepatitis A, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria prophylaxis are among the most frequently recommended travel health interventions.
Td / Tdap Booster
Adults should stay current with tetanus-containing boosters, generally every 10 years. Travel injuries, outdoor activities, and minor wound care abroad all make this review important — particularly for Virginia Beach's active outdoor and adventure traveler community.
Every 10 yearsInfluenza
Annual flu vaccination remains a key routine recommendation. Travelers crossing hemispheres or traveling during regional flu season should review timing carefully before departing from Norfolk International Airport (ORF).
AnnualCOVID-19
COVID-19 vaccination recommendations are updated over time. Virginia Beach travelers should confirm the current CDC age/risk guidance and any destination-specific documentation requirements before travel.
Current guidanceHepatitis A & B
Travel clinics frequently prioritize hepatitis A and B for adults who were never vaccinated or have incomplete records. Especially relevant for Virginia Beach's Filipino, Nigerian, and Korean VFR communities visiting destinations where both viruses remain endemic.
Catch-upMeningococcal
Required for Hajj/Umrah and critically important for Virginia Beach's West African and Nigerian diaspora traveling to sub-Saharan Africa. Also recommended for college students at Old Dominion University and other area institutions.
Risk-basedPneumococcal & Shingles
Older adults and those with certain conditions may need pneumococcal vaccination and shingles protection. Travel is a good time to update general preventive care.
Age / risk basedThe Three Categories of Travel Vaccines
Virginia Beach travel clinics generally divide travel immunization planning into three practical groups: routine vaccines, vaccines required for legal entry, and vaccines recommended because of itinerary-specific risk. Virginia Beach's military community adds a fourth consideration — service-member travel requirements set by each branch of the armed forces, which may differ from standard civilian travel medicine guidance.
| Travel Vaccine | Category | Key Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | Required | Tropical Africa, parts of South America | Must be administered by an authorized yellow fever stamp holder; certificate becomes valid after 10 days. Important for Virginia Beach's Nigerian and West African diaspora travelers. |
| Typhoid | Recommended | South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America | Available as oral or injectable vaccine; high priority for Virginia Beach's Filipino, Nigerian, Korean, and Indian VFR travel community |
| Japanese Encephalitis | Recommended | Rural Asia and parts of Southeast Asia | Particularly relevant for Virginia Beach's large Filipino and Korean communities visiting rural Southeast Asia; also a consideration for military-affiliated travelers to the Pacific region |
| Rabies (pre-exposure) | Recommended | Asia, Africa, Latin America; remote itineraries | Important for animal contact risk and destinations with limited access to urgent post-exposure care |
| Cholera | Recommended | Selected high-risk destinations | Used selectively depending on destination and humanitarian or outbreak-related travel |
| Meningococcal ACWY | Required / Recommended | Saudi Arabia (Hajj/Umrah), Africa's meningitis belt | Legal requirement for some pilgrims; essential for Virginia Beach's Nigerian and West African diaspora travelers to sub-Saharan Africa |
| Hepatitis A | Recommended | Many low- and middle-income destinations | One of the most commonly recommended travel vaccines for U.S. travelers; high priority for Virginia Beach's VFR communities traveling to the Philippines, Nigeria, Korea, and Latin America |
| Malaria Prophylaxis | Prescription Rx | Sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, parts of Latin America | Not a vaccine; medication choice depends on region, resistance, duration, and medical history. High priority for Virginia Beach travelers visiting Nigeria, West Africa, and other malaria-endemic regions. |
Main Travel Health & Vaccine Centers in Virginia Beach & Hampton Roads
Virginia Beach travelers benefit from a solid network of travel clinics and major hospitals across Hampton Roads. Below are representative providers serving Virginia Beach and the surrounding region, including resources for both military-affiliated and civilian residents.
Virginia Beach — Central & Town Center
4525 Main St, Suite 201, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
(757) 490-7888
Virginia Beach's leading private travel clinic offering yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, meningococcal, malaria prophylaxis, and routine travel vaccine services with itinerary-specific counseling. Located in the Town Center area and accessible for all Virginia Beach residents.
1060 First Colonial Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23454
(757) 395-8000
Virginia Beach's flagship Sentara hospital providing full emergency and inpatient care with access to infectious disease consultation and post-travel illness assessment for Virginia Beach residents returning from international travel.
830 Kempsville Rd, Norfolk, VA 23502
(757) 261-6000
Full-service Sentara hospital on the Norfolk-Virginia Beach border, providing emergency and specialist care including infectious disease services for residents of both cities returning from international travel.
Norfolk — EVMS & Regional Resources
825 Fairfax Ave, Norfolk, VA 23507
(757) 446-8925
Hampton Roads' academic travel medicine and infectious disease resource through Eastern Virginia Medical School, offering specialist pre-travel evaluation, complex itinerary counseling, and expert post-travel illness assessment for Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads residents.
600 Gresham Dr, Norfolk, VA 23507
(757) 388-3000
Hampton Roads' flagship academic medical center, co-located with EVMS, providing advanced emergency, infectious disease, and specialty care for complex travel-related illness cases from across the region.
Military Treatment Facilities — Virginia Beach Area
620 John Paul Jones Cir, Portsmouth, VA 23708
(757) 953-5000
The primary military treatment facility for Hampton Roads, providing travel medicine and immunization services for active-duty military, dependents, and eligible retirees across Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and the broader Hampton Roads military community. Active-duty members receive required travel vaccines through their branch; eligible dependents and retirees should confirm eligibility before scheduling.
601 Children's Lane, Norfolk, VA 23507
(757) 668-7000
Hampton Roads' only freestanding children's hospital, providing pediatric infectious disease consultations and care for travel-related illness in children from Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and across the region — including the area's large military family population.
Chesapeake / South Hampton Roads
733 Battlefield Blvd N, Suite 110, Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 547-1010
South Hampton Roads travel vaccine clinic serving Chesapeake, Suffolk, and South Virginia Beach residents with yellow fever vaccination, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, and full travel immunization services.
736 Battlefield Blvd N, Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 312-8121
Full-service community hospital serving Chesapeake and South Hampton Roads with emergency, internal medicine, and infectious disease care for returned international travelers from the south Virginia Beach metro area.
📍 Virginia Beach & Hampton Roads Travel Health Centers & Major Hospitals
Click any marker to view details and get Google Maps directions. Orange = Travel Health Clinic | Blue = Major Hospital
Pre-Travel Health Checklist for Virginia Beach Travelers
Whether you are flying from Norfolk International Airport (ORF) or driving to Richmond International Airport (RIC) for a broader range of international connections, this preparation timeline helps ensure you leave with the right protection and paperwork.
| Timeframe | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 6+ Weeks Before | Book a travel medicine consultation | Arrange an appointment with Passport Health Virginia Beach or Chesapeake, EVMS Infectious Disease, or another Hampton Roads travel provider. Military family members should also check whether their MTF offers travel medicine services. Review CDC destination guidance and visa or vaccination rules. |
| At Your Visit | Bring all vaccine records | Review routine immunizations, destination-specific vaccines, malaria prevention, altitude advice, and travel-related prescriptions. Military members should bring shot records (DD Form 2766 or equivalent) in addition to civilian vaccine records. Request a VIIS registry check if your records are incomplete. |
| Follow-Up Visits | Complete multi-dose series | Rabies pre-exposure, Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis A/B catch-up, and some other regimens may need spacing between doses — plan follow-up appointments promptly. |
| 1–2 Weeks Before | Confirm documents and medications | Check that your yellow fever certificate is complete if required, and pack prescriptions, insect repellent, sunscreen, oral rehydration salts, and regular medicines in carry-on luggage. |
| On Return | Monitor symptoms | Fever, rash, diarrhea, jaundice, or unexplained illness after international travel should trigger medical review, especially if you visited tropical or malaria-risk regions. Report to Sentara Virginia Beach General, EVMS, or your primary care provider. |
Ready to Travel from Virginia Beach?
Start your travel health preparation early. Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads travel clinics, EVMS, Sentara Health System, and military treatment facilities can help protect you wherever your itinerary takes you.
This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider for personalized travel-health advice. Information should be rechecked before travel because recommendations and entry rules can change.