How to Use the Travel Vaccine Cost & Timing Calculator
Travel vaccines are easy to forget until it's almost too late to get them in time. This calculator follows CDC Travel Health guidance to show the recommended vaccines for your destination region, the minimum lead time each one needs, and a rough cost estimate.
Requirements vary sharply by region. Several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Central/South America require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination for entry, so that one takes top priority. Southeast Asia and South Asia typically call for Hepatitis A and Typhoid as a baseline, with Rabies worth considering for extended or rural stays. Travelers heading to the Middle East for the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage will also need a Meningococcal vaccine.
Each vaccine takes a different amount of time to build immunity, so "get it a few days before you leave" isn't good enough — CDC recommends seeing a travel health provider 4-6 weeks before departure so every vaccine has time to take effect. If your remaining days fall short of a vaccine's minimum lead time, visit a travel clinic anyway; an accelerated schedule may still be possible. Costs shown here are rough US estimates and vary by clinic and insurance coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Under International Health Regulations, the Yellow Fever vaccination certificate only becomes valid 10 days after the shot. Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South America that require proof of vaccination at entry won't accept a certificate issued any sooner, so get it at least 10 days before departure.
The standard series is 2 doses given 6 months apart, but a single first dose starts providing protection about 2 weeks later. CDC recommends getting the first dose at least 2 weeks before you leave.
CDC recommends visiting a travel health provider 4-6 weeks before departure. If you're short on time, go to a travel clinic anyway — partial protection or an accelerated schedule may still be possible depending on the vaccine.