A typical consultation with the Travel Immunization Center's staff includes an overview of the health risks associated with particular destinations, information on how to avoid illness through food and water safety and other measures, and administration of required or agreed upon vaccines after a review of an individual's health history. Staff members also can provide travel-related prescriptions such as antidiarrheal and antimalarial medications. The patients we see are primarily international travelers. Some travel on business and others travel for pleasure. It's very important that patients try to see us at least two to four weeks before departing.
Most vaccinations take effect in two weeks' time.
Some take four weeks, and others take even longer. We try to help people understand how important it is to get the right vaccines. The Travel Immunization Center is in contact with the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization and the State Department for the latest travel health information and updates on outbreaks and safety issues. In addition to providing consultations for travelers, the Travel Immunization Center administers vaccinations required by schools, provides immunizations to immigrants and administers flu shots. The Travel Immunization Center is located in Northwestern Memorial Hospital's Galter Outpatient Pavilion.