Travel Health: Your Pre-Trip Checklist
Planning a trip from Ottawa to Cuba, Mexico, the Caribbean, or beyond? Make sure your health is prepared before you board. Here is everything you need to think about before you leave.
Your Pre-Travel Health Checklist
The following checklist covers the most important areas of travel health preparation for residents of Ottawa and Nepean heading to popular Canadian vacation destinations. Consult a pharmacist or travel health clinic to personalize this for your trip.
Vaccines
- Routine vaccines up to date: COVID-19 (latest booster), influenza, tetanus, measles-mumps-rubella.
- Hepatitis A: recommended for most tropical and developing-country destinations including parts of Mexico and the Caribbean.
- Hepatitis B: recommended for travel involving medical care, longer stays, or potential exposure to blood.
- Typhoid: consider for travel to areas with limited sanitation (rural areas of developing countries).
- Yellow fever: required or recommended for some sub-Saharan African and South American destinations.
- Rabies pre-exposure: consider for adventure travel, rural areas, or destinations with limited post-exposure vaccine access.
Malaria Prevention
- Confirm malaria risk for your specific destination and travel region (not just the country).
- Common prophylactic medications: atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone), doxycycline, or mefloquine.
- Start prophylaxis before departure as directed (timing varies by medication).
- Use insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin and sleep under insecticide-treated nets in high-risk areas.
Traveller's Diarrhea
- Carry oral rehydration salts (ORS) to replace fluids and electrolytes.
- Ask your pharmacist about a standby antibiotic prescription for severe diarrhea.
- Loperamide (Imodium) can help manage symptoms but does not treat the cause.
- Practice food and water safety: 'Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.'
Packing Your Medications
- Pack all medications in your carry-on luggage — never check them in case of lost baggage.
- Bring more than enough medication for your trip plus a few extra days.
- Keep medications in original labelled containers.
- Carry a letter from your pharmacist or doctor listing all medications, especially for controlled substances.
- For insulin and biologics, use an insulated travel case to maintain temperature during transit.
Managing Medication Timing Across Time Zones
If you take medications at specific times of day — especially insulin, oral diabetes medications, or medications with narrow therapeutic windows — crossing time zones requires planning. General principles:
- For short trips (under a week), many people simply maintain their home schedule for the duration.
- For longer trips or medications sensitive to timing, gradually shift your dose times before departure.
- Discuss your specific medications with your pharmacist before you travel — some have more flexibility than others.
- For insulin users travelling eastward (shorter day), you may need less insulin; westward (longer day) may require an extra dose. Ask your diabetes care team.
Travel Insurance and Medication Coverage in Ontario
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for all Canadians travelling outside the country. Ontario's OHIP provides very limited coverage outside Canada. Here is what to know about medications:
- Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) does not cover medications dispensed outside Ontario.
- Most private drug plans similarly do not cover prescriptions filled abroad — bring enough medication from home.
- Emergency medication costs may be reimbursable under travel insurance — keep all receipts.
- Ensure your travel insurance covers pre-existing conditions and any medications you take regularly.
- If you lose medication while travelling, contact your travel insurer for guidance before purchasing abroad.
- Your pharmacist can provide a letter listing your medications, doses, and generic names to facilitate obtaining replacements if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I see a pharmacist or travel clinic before my trip?
Ideally, see a pharmacist or travel health clinic 6–8 weeks before departure. Some vaccines require multiple doses over several weeks, and others (like typhoid) need time to build immunity. However, even last-minute travel consultations — one week or less before departure — are still worthwhile, as some vaccines and prescriptions can be provided on short notice.
Do I need malaria prevention medication for travel to Cuba, Mexico, or the Dominican Republic?
The risk varies significantly by destination and the specific region within a country. Cuba and most tourist areas of Mexico and the Dominican Republic carry a low or negligible malaria risk for typical resort travellers. However, rural or less-travelled areas within these and other tropical countries may carry higher risk. Always check the Public Health Agency of Canada's travel health notices and confirm with a travel health professional based on your specific itinerary.
Can I get a prescription for traveller's diarrhea antibiotics at a pharmacy in Ontario?
In Ontario, pharmacists have the authority to prescribe some medications independently, including certain travel medications at some pharmacies. At Longfields Pharmacy, we can assess your travel plans and provide guidance on whether a prescription is appropriate for you. Common options include azithromycin or ciprofloxacin for use if diarrhea becomes severe. Contact us well before your trip to discuss your options.
Will my Ontario drug plan (ODB) cover my travel medications?
Most travel medications — including vaccines, malaria prophylaxis, and traveller's diarrhea antibiotics — are not covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program. Private drug plans vary; check with your insurer. Travel health insurance (separate from regular travel insurance) may also reimburse pre-travel medications. Keep your receipts for potential reimbursement claims.