Winter Getaways: Travel Smart This Holiday Season
Health tips and vaccine info for your holiday trip — from Edmonton’s trusted immunization clinic
Escaping the Snow? Don’t Skip Your Travel Health Prep
Whether you're dreaming of white sand beaches or heading home to visit family abroad, winter is a popular time for Edmontonians to travel. But before you pack your bags and book that airport taxi, make sure your travel plans include your health.
At Atlas Immunization Services, we see a huge spike in travel-related vaccine consultations between November and February. This means it’s not just you getting away — and appointment spots can book up fast.
Preparing early ensures you’re protected and ready, especially if your destination requires specific vaccines or documentation.
What Travel Vaccines Might You Need?
If you're traveling to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central or South America, Asia, or Africa, you may need travel-specific vaccines that aren’t part of the routine Canadian schedule. The most common include:
Hepatitis A & B – Often recommended for food and water safety.
Typhoid – Important for areas with lower sanitation standards.
Yellow Fever – Required for entry into some African and South American countries. Includes an international certificate.
Traveler’s Diarrhea Kit – Antibiotics or preventative care for unexpected GI issues.
Tetanus booster – Especially if it’s been more than 10 years.
Rabies or Japanese Encephalitis – Depending on the nature and duration of your trip.
A personalized travel health consultation ensures you’re not just guessing which vaccines to get — our experienced Edmonton travel nurses will review your itinerary, health history, and current vaccine records to build a plan that meets all entry requirements and keeps you healthy.
Make it stand out
Flying During Flu Season? Stay Ahead of Winter Illness
Winter travel overlaps with flu season in Canada, and airports are one of the easiest places to pick up viruses. At Atlas, we strongly recommend getting your:
Flu shot
Updated COVID-19 booster
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) – Especially important for international travel
These are all available at our Edmonton travel vaccine clinic, and can often be added during your travel consultation. If you’re traveling with children, we can help assess their vaccination status as well — especially if they are due for routine boosters.
Visiting Family Abroad? Read This First
Many of our clients are new Canadians or permanent residents who are planning to travel back to their country of origin over the holidays. If you were born outside Canada, you may:
Have incomplete or partially dated vaccine records (e.g., missing day/month/year)
Have vaccine records in another language
Be unsure if childhood vaccines meet Canadian or international standards
Our team can help interpret non-English records, assess gaps in immunization, and recommend blood tests (serology) when needed. We’ve seen records from over 80 countries and know the global abbreviations, but if a translation is required, we’ll guide you on how to proceed.
Having properly transcribed and complete vaccine records is especially important if you are also a student, healthcare worker, or planning to pursue a placement abroad.
Healthy Travel Tips for Winter Getaways
Even with your vaccines in order, don’t forget these simple ways to stay well during your trip:
Bring extra prescriptions and travel with a list of medications
Use disinfectant wipes on plane trays and seat belts
Stay hydrated, especially on long-haul flights
Get travel insurance that includes health coverage
Check advisories via travel.gc.ca for your destination
Our team can also recommend insect repellent, malaria precautions, and provide travel health letters or documentation when required for your workplace or visa.
Why Choose Atlas Immunization in Edmonton?
Atlas Immunization Clinic has been serving Edmonton, Sherwood Park, and the surrounding areas for over 20 years. We’re proud to offer:
Customized travel vaccine consultations
Yellow fever vaccination with international certificate
Flu shots and routine immunizations
Serology testing and vaccine record transcription
Same-week or next-week appointments available
Whether you're a university student going on exchange, a family visiting relatives overseas, or a couple booking a beach getaway — we’re here to make travel health easy and stress-free.
