Avoid travel stress, plan your vaccinations in advance

Travelling abroad this summer? Make sure to plan your travel vaccinations well in advance. The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) experiences a surge in demand for travel consultations every spring and expects longer waiting times again this year. Last-minute appointment seekers risk being too late.

"Many travellers think about their vaccinations too late, even though some vaccines require multiple doses with several weeks in between," says Dr Ula Maniewski-Kelner, infectious disease specialist and head of the Travel Advice Unit at ITM. "To ensure full protection, we recommend scheduling your travel consultation at least six weeks before departure."

Demand for travel vaccinations and advice typically increases from April onward, peaking between April and August. In 2024, we treated over 24,000 travellers, with waiting times reaching up to four weeks. To avoid delays, those planning summer travel should book their appointments now.

Where can travellers go?

For most travel vaccines, you can visit your family doctor. However, the yellow fever vaccine—mandatory for certain destinations in Africa and South America—is only available at recognised vaccination centres such as ITM.

Smart travel with Wanda

Our free Wanda app and website provide travellers and healthcare professionals with a convenient overview of recommended vaccinations and health risks for each country.