Here are some commonly asked questions with answers – please call us to discuss details.

Q: Where are your offices?

Please check our directions pages.

Q: What is your phone number?

Roslyn 516-626-2004
Manhattan 212-403-2823
Forest Hills 516-626-2004

Q: What Do I Need To Know?

A: Travel Medicine is not just about inoculations. And, what you need depends upon several things including; where you are going, what you will be doing and how long you will be staying there. At Passport Health we will give you not only information as to what is required by certain countries but also what is recommended by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and WHO (World Health Organization) so you can make an informed decision as to choices you have for your trip.

Q. What vaccinations do I have to have to go to Brazil (Haiti, China, Botswana, India, Tanzania, Peru, Dominican Republic, Croatia, Turkey, Thailand, Indonesia, etc.)?

A. The misconception in asking this question is that a traveler should worry about only the diseases that a host country fears from foreign visitors. No country requires a traveler to take prescription pills for protection against Malaria. Yet, without it, and without the additional protection of mosquito netting and repellents, travelers are more likely to contract malaria. So the first question should be “what does the Centers of Disease Control say I should have for protection against disease in Brazil (Haiti, China, etc.)?”

Q. Can’t I just go to my family doctor for travel shots?

A. Yes, but since most doctors are not specialists in travel medicine, you may encounter these issues:

• Likely refer you to Passport Health.
• Not stock all of the vaccines you need.
• Have to do extensive research to determine what vaccinations you will need.
• Probably not have the necessary documents to record your vaccines.
• Most likely will not be familiar with prescribing appropriate malaria medicine.

We encourage you to make ONE STOP and ONE APPOINTMENT to get ready for travel rather than multiple doctor visits.

Q: What Can I Expect?

A: During your appointment, you will meet with one of our registered travel nurses (RN) for about 45 minutes. Our travel nurse consultants have extensive training and experience in the specialty of Travel Medicine so bring your toughest questions! Their objective is to educate you to make an informed decision about your health and travel precautions in simple language, and not waste a minute of your valuable time. The nurse will administer the appropriate vaccines/medicine based on your discussions. Vaccinations are only one component of travel medicine. Equally important is destination specific information on food and water safety, malaria prevention, treatment for traveler’s diarrhea, altitude sickness and more.

Q: When Should I Plan My Immunization Program?

A: The CDC recommends taking care of your Travel Medicine needs four to SIX WEEKS BEFORE traveling. You do need to know however, that some vaccines need to be taken more than once in order to provide the most immunity. Some vaccines are long lived and once taken may not need to be repeated for quite some time.

Q: I have my travel plans, but how do I know what I need?

A: What you need depends upon several things including; where you are going, what you will be doing and how long you will be staying there, how old you are, past and present medical conditions and previous immunizations. The travel nurse consultant will discuss with you what is required by the specific country for entry, and even more importantly, what is recommended for your health. Of course you can consult, like we do, the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) and WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines for medicines and immunizations for foreign travel.

Q. What is the difference between recommended and required vaccines?

A. The country you are visiting determines the requirements for entry. These vaccination requirements are intended to prevent travelers from bringing disease into the country. Travelers must show proof of the specific immunization for entry into these countries. Most countries do not have any vaccination requirements for entry, but this does not mean you should not be vaccinated before you travel. Vaccines are recommended to protect YOUR HEALTH while visiting foreign countries. There are always vaccines recommended when you travel outside the U.S. The primary source of recommendations in the U.S. is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), located in Atlanta, Georgia.

Q. I was born in the country I am visiting; do I still need vaccines?

A. Yes. People born in foreign countries lose all of their antibodies or natural protection within a very short period of time after they leave the country of origin. In addition, most foreign countries do not have the same immunization standards as the U.S. Therefore, visiting your native country can put your health at risk and it is important to receive proper vaccines and/or medicines four to six weeks before your trip.

Q: What if I am traveling with a child and/or young adult?

A: Passport Health provides travel vaccinations and medicine for children as well. The child(ren) will most likely require immunizations in addition to their routine childhood immunizations. Bring your child’s immunization record and a nurse can review it at the time of your appointment. Every child under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present. However, we do recommend parents of young adults still be present at their child’s appointment. Making medical decisions can be an overwhelming and confusing responsibility.

Q: Does my insurance cover vaccines and medicines for foreign travel?

A: Most health insurance plans don’t cover travel vaccines and medicines. The insurance companies’ view is that you are electing to travel and therefore it is elective care. You must check with your specific insurance company to determine what is covered by your policy. Passport Health does not accept any medical insurance plans. We do however provide you with a receipt that has all the information and codes needed to submit your claim. If immunizations for foreign travel are covered under your plan, your insurance company may reimburse you for some of the cost. Medicare does not cover any vaccines or medicines for foreign travel.

Q: What form(s) of payment are accepted?

A: Passport Health accepts debit and credit cards (American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover) and cash. No personal checks please. Corporations may arrange for direct billing to pay for services provided to their employees.

Q: What Are The Scheduling Guidelines for Appointments?

A: Use the numbers or form above or to the right for scheduling your appointment. It is important to be at least five to ten minutes early for your appointment. The travel nurse consultants see clients on time, at the scheduled appointment time. If you arrive late, the nurse runs late for her next appointment and you may have to reschedule or be patient while we do our best to work you in. We know your time is valuable; we do not double book appointments. Please be on time for your appointment. Prior to your appointment we suggest you complete the Patient Travel Health Information Form. Please click here to print the form.

Q: What do I bring to my appointment and are there special preparations?

A. If you have one, please bring your immunization record. There are no special dietary restrictions and fasting is not necessary.