Vax-Before-Travel Vaccines March 2026
Over the past few decades, viruses transmitted by mosquitoes have spread rapidly worldwide, resulting in significant disease outbreaks in previously unexposed populations. Recent research indicates that millions are not adequately immunized against diseases before visiting endemic countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that one infectious person on an airplane can transform a local disease outbreak into a global pandemic. The WHO publishes selected trends in vaccine-preventable diseases and an extensive list of recommended vaccinations.
As of March 2026, several travel vaccines are available to prevent diseases. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel, Edition 2026, recommends that most travel vaccines be administered at least one month before departure to ensure maximum protection. The CDC lists various vaccine recommendations.
Predeparture vaccination appointments are available at travel clinics and certified pharmacies in the U.S. Additionally, post-travel virus testing services are offered at this link. Additionally, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Vaccine Scheduler enables comparisons of vaccination schedules between two European countries, by disease across all countries, or within a selected group of countries.
Travel Vaccine Advisories
The U.S. CDC, the U.K. Travel Health Pro, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the ECDC publish Travel Health Advisories and Assessments, including guidance for cruise ship travelers and for helping international travelers with country-specific immunization recommendations. The U.S. Department of State publishes Travel Advisories, and U.S. embassies issue local travel health security notices. Seperately, Travel vaccine certificates and passport information have also been updated.
Anthrax Vaccines
CYFENDUS ™ (AV7909, BioThrax®), a two-dose anthrax vaccine for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, was approved on July 20, 2023.
Avian Influenza Vaccines
Audenz™ is a monovalent, adjuvanted, cell-based, inactivated subunit vaccine approved by the U.S. FDA. Various pandemic influenza vaccines have also been approved in Europe and the U.K.
Chikungunya Vaccines
As of 2026, chikungunya is a vaccine-preventable disease. Chikungunya vaccines include IXCHIQ® and VIMKUNYA®.
Cholera Vaccine
Cholera vaccine availability improved in the U.S. in early 2026. WHO-prequalified oral cholera vaccines, including Dukoral®, Shanchol™, and Euvichol®, are available for international travelers. Administration instructions differ for children aged 2–5 years versus people aged 6 years and older. Follow the package insert instructions for additional recommendations.
Vaxchora is an oral cholera vaccine for active immunization against the disease caused by Vibrio cholerae serogroup O1. And DUKORAL® is available in Europe, the U.K., and various other countries.
Dengue Vaccines
As of 2026, various countries have approved QDENGA® Dengue vaccine, and in December 2025, Brazil approved the single-dose Butantan-DV Dengue vaccine. The the first-generation Dengvaxia vaccine remains available in Puerto Rico.
Diphtheria Vaccines
The U.S. CDC advises that travelers 2 months and older traveling to outbreak areas should receive an age-appropriate dose of a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine if they are not fully vaccinated or have not received a booster dose within the past 5 years before departure. In 2026, about 11 vaccines will be available to help protect against diphtheria.
Ebola Vaccines
Ebola outbreaks in Africa began in 1976 and continued in 2024. Zaire Ebolavirus vaccines are only available in limited supply outside Africa.
Ervebo (Ebola Zaire Vaccine, Live) is a recombinant, replication-competent vaccine for Ebola Zaire.
Zabdeno (Ad26.ZEBOV) and Mvabea (MVA-BN-Filo) are Ebola vaccine therapies.
Ebanga™ (mAb114, Ansuvimab-zykl) is a human monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of Zaire ebolavirus infections.
Sudan Ebolavirus vaccines are being developed in clinical trials.
Influenza Vaccines
Flu shots are recommended for international travel in areas where the influenza virus is prevalent.
Japanese Encephalitis Vaccines
JENVAC is a single-dose inactivated Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine. This Vero cell-derived vaccine is prepared from the virus's Indian strain (Kolar- 821564XYs).
Ixiaro is an inactivated, adsorbed vaccine derived from Vero cell culture that targets the Japanese encephalitis virus. It is prepared by propagating the JEV strain SA14-14-2 in Vero cells. For children aged 2 months to 17 years, the primary series consists of two intramuscular doses administered 28 days apart (doses may be given at 7-day intervals in travelers aged 18 years or older). The last dose of IXIARO should be administered at least 1 week before travel.
Lassa Fever Vaccine
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever without an approved vaccine in 2026.
Lyme Disease Vaccines
Lyme disease vaccine candidates are conducting late-stage clinical studies in 2026. Valneva's VLA15 is a multivalent recombinant protein vaccine candidate.
Malaria Vaccines
Malaria outbreaks continue in 2026, and vaccines are available in Africa but not in the U.S. Innovative monoclonal antibodies (mAb) could prevent malaria.
Mosquirix (RTS,S/AS01e) is a recombinant vaccine that triggers the immune system to defend against the first stages of infection when the Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite enters the human host's bloodstream through a mosquito bite.
R21/Matrix-M™ Malaria vaccine is produced by the Serum Institute of India and developed by scientists at the University of Oxford in England.
Marburg Disease Vaccines
Marburg vaccine candidates are in clinical trials, and outbreaks of Marburg disease have been reported for several decades.
Measles Vaccines
Measles outbreaks continue in 2026, including in U.S. cities such as those in Texas. Various measles vaccines are available at pharmacies.
Meningococcal Disease Vaccines
The U.S. CDC lists various Meningococcal Disease vaccines, such as Bexsero® (MenB-4C).
MERS Vaccine
As of early 2026, no approved MERS-CoV vaccine exists, but cases continue to be reported in the Middle East. The VTP-500 vaccine candidate completed Phase I clinical trials in the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. The University of Oxford conducted a Phase Ib trial in the U.K. to assess the vaccination of older adults.
Norovirus Vaccine
As of 2026, the U.S. FDA has not approved a norovirus vaccine candidate; however, Moderna's vaccine is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials. The Nova 301 Phase 3 study, evaluating the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of mRNA-1403 in adults, is expected to be completed in 2027.
Mpox Vaccines
The JYNNEOS smallpox-mpox vaccine is commercially available in the U.S., Africa, and numerous other countries in 2026.
Nipah Virus Vaccines
Nipah virus vaccine candidates are continuing in Phase 1 clinical trials in 2023. Since 1999, Nipah outbreaks have occurred in Asia, including Bangladesh and India.
Oropouche Virus Vaccine
As of 2026, no vaccine is available to prevent Oropouche, and no medicines are available to treat infections. Commercial testing services will become available in the United States.
Plague Vaccine
The WHO-Plague Vaccines in Preclinical Development and Clinical Trials was published in 2023. The primary outcomes assessed were efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. The study concluded that a single-dose F1-based mRNA-LNP vaccine is effective in protecting against the lethal plague bacterium.
Polio Vaccines
Polio vaccination, including booster shots, is recommended when visiting polio-endemic countries. Infants and children should complete as much of the recommended, age-appropriate polio vaccine series as possible before departure.
IPOL (IPV) is a sterile suspension of three types of poliovirus: Type 1 (Mahoney), Type 2 (MEF-1), and Type 3 (Saukett). Sanofi Pasteur's single-antigen IPOL vaccine is a highly purified, inactivated poliovirus vaccine with enhanced potency.
Sabin Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine is a liquid trivalent vaccine produced from Sabin poliovirus type 1, 2, and 3 strains grown on Vero cells.
nOPV2 polio vaccine is derived from the live, infectious virus, but it has been 'triple-locked using genetic engineering to prevent it from becoming harmful. nOPV2 is genetically more stable than existing OPVs.
Rabies Vaccines
Various rabies vaccines and candidates seek to reduce rabies mortality in 2025. The number of recommended pre-exposure prophylaxis doses was decreased in 2021 from 3 to 2, administered with an interval of at least 7 days.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
RMSF is endemic in multiple border states in northern Mexico, including Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Nuevo León. As of December 2023, no approved vaccine for RMSFine exists. However, the CDC says early treatment with doxycycline saves lives.
Rotavirus Vaccines
Since 2019, the WHO has prequalified four rotavirus vaccines. GSK's Rotarix is a live, attenuated rotavirus vaccine that exposes your child to a small dose of the virus, helping the child develop immunity to the disease.
Tickborne Encephalitis Vaccine
TicoVac vaccine is marketed by Pfizer Inc. under the brand names FSME-Immun® in Europe and TICOVAC™ in the U.S. It was developed using a master 'seed' virus similar to the Tickborne encephalitis virus found in nature. The TBE vaccine is approved for individuals aged 1 year and older. It is recommended for use among people traveling to or moving to a TBE-endemic area who will have extensive tick exposure, based on their planned outdoor activities and itinerary.
Tuberculosis Vaccine
The U.S. CDC recommends the BCG vaccine to help prevent tuberculosis and to provide nonspecific protective effects, such as against bladder cancer. Various versions of the BCG vaccine are available globally in 2026.
Typhoid Vaccine
Typhoid vaccines are available and are recommended for people traveling to places where typhoid fever is common, such as South Asia (India). Capsules should be swallowed whole and taken ≥2 hours after eating or drinking and 1 hour before subsequent eating or drinking. All four capsules should be taken at least 1 week before potential exposure. A booster dose of Ty21a should be taken every 5 years, if indicated.
Vivotif oral vaccine (capsules) is indicated for the immunization of adults and children over six years of age against the disease caused by Salmonella Typhi. It contains live bacteria called Salmonella typhi strain Ty21a, which does not cause typhoid fever. Bavarian Nordic A/S owns Vivotif Oral and is available in the U.S.
Typbar TCV is a vaccine containing the polysaccharide of Salmonella typhi Ty2 conjugated to Tetanus Toxoid.
Typhim VI is a sterile solution prepared from the purified polysaccharide capsule of Salmonella typhi (Ty 2 strain).
Urinary Track Infection Vaccine and Treatments
Uromune™, an inactivated oral spray vaccine for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), was approved in various countries in 2026.
Pivya™ antibacterial tablet is approved for female adults with uncomplicated UTIs in Europe.
Yellow Fever Vaccines
The WHO publishes yellow fever vaccination requirements for entry into certain countries. Outbreaks have been confirmed in 2026. The yellow fever vaccine is contraindicated in infants <6 months of age and should be administered to children 6–8 months of age after careful consideration of the risks and benefits of vaccination, with the understanding that caregivers should prevent mosquito bites.
YF-VAX® vaccine is licensed in the U.S. and takes about 10 days to achieve maximum immunity.
Stamaril® is distributed in over 70 countries in 2024, but not in the U.S.
Zika Virus Vaccines
While Zika virus outbreaks continue primarily in India and the Region of the Americas in 2026, no approved Zika vaccine is currently available.
Note: This content is aggregated from various news sources and vaccine research organizations and has been fact-checked by healthcare professionals, including Dr. Robert Carlson.