Manatee County Health Department

Traveling outside the United States? The Manatee County Health Department can provide all the information, shots and the required international immunization certificate (PHS 731) needed for your travel.

For more information about international immunization requirements please visit the CDC travel site and read the information given for the country or countries you plan on visiting and take note of the immunizations recommended or required.

Carefully read the information given on the CDC website. It will give you some good advice about how you can take care of your health. There are many illnesses that are not prevented by vaccination or medication.

Call the Manatee County Health Department 748-0747 ext. 1439 for up to date price information or for an appointment. In order to receive international vaccinations at the Manatee County Health Department you must have an appointment. Tell the appointment clerk that you have reviewed the website information.
For recommended immunizations it is your choice which vaccines you will receive.

Below you will find information regarding most of the international immunizations. At this time, there are only two vaccinations that may be required, the rest are recommended. Required vaccinations must be documented on an international vaccination certificate, which you can purchase at the Manatee County Health Department. All vaccinations should be given 10 days to 2 weeks prior to departure in order to be considered effective.

This is not intended to be a complete guide for travelers. Please consult your physician or health care provider for your own specific needs.

Routine Vaccinations:
These include the Seasonal Flu shot, Pneumonia, Shingles, Polio, Chicken Pox, TDAP (Tetanus/Diptheria/Pertussis), and MMR (Measles/Mumps/Rubella).
Since you?ll be traveling and around a lot of other people it is important to be up to date on these routine vaccinations. Please check the CDC's schedule of routine vaccinations

Tetanus/Diptheria/Pertussis:
Recommended every 10 years, but if you?ve been scratched/cut on something you should get a booster if it?s been longer than 5 years. We encourage people who are traveling to other countries to have a booster if it?s been over 5 years. Then if you get scratched/cut while out of the country you will be protected.
If you decide to receive this vaccine, please read the information sheet you will be given during check-in at the Manatee County Health Department.

Yellow Fever:
Yellow Fever is the most commonly required vaccination. If you leave the airport in a country that has Yellow Fever and then travel to a country where this shot is required you will not be able to enter that country without a correctly documented Yellow Fever vaccination that was given at least 10 days prior to travel. It is important to know all of the countries you will visit. If you cannot receive the Yellow Fever vaccination you must obtain a waiver letter from your Dr. and obtain specific information from the embassy of the country you plan to visit. The vaccination must be documented on an International Certificate which we have at Manatee County Health Department, for a fee. This vaccination lasts 10 years. Also, if you go to a country that has Yellow Fever and have NOT been immunized, you may have difficulty getting back into the United States.
Like all vaccines, Yellow Fever has some possible side effects, so if you receive this vaccination please read the information sheet you will be given during check-in at the Manatee County Health Department.

Hepatitis A:
Hepatitis A is a virus that can be spread by the hands of someone who has it, from water that has been contaminated by the waste of someone with the disease, and even from food prepared by someone who has it. If you are healthy, the virus may feel like a bad case of the flu, but if unhealthy the virus may be much more severe. Having two doses of this vaccine at least 6 months apart is considered by the CDC sufficient to make you immune and not ever require another booster. If you don?t have time to get both shots, having one may give you some protection, but we are unsure of how much protection. So it may be a good idea to get one now and then finish the series after you get back. This is a good vaccination to have because Hepatitis A is found around the world. This shot is very well tolerated by most people.
Please read the risks and side effects of the Hepatitis A vaccine on the information sheet that you will be given at the Manatee County Health Department during check-in.

Hepatitis B:
Hepatitis B is a virus that is spread through blood and body fluids. The vaccine has been required for school for several years now. If born after 1983 you may have already received this vaccination series.
In order to be considered fully protected from Hepatitis B you need to receive 3 shots. The 2nd one must be given no earlier than 28 days after the first one and the 3rd one should be given 6 months after the 1st one. If you don?t have time to receive all three vaccinations, receiving one or more may give you a limited amount of protection and you can finish the series later and be ready for your next trip.
This is a very well tolerated vaccination but you should read the information sheet about the vaccine that you will receive during check-in at the Manatee County Health Department.

Typhoid:
Typhoid is spread through food and water contaminated with the feces of someone who has it. The vaccine is expected to protect you for two years. Please read the information sheet about the typhoid vaccine that you will be given during check-in at the Health Department for risks and side effects.
There is an oral medication available that will protect you from Typhoid as well, and it lasts longer. You should see a Primary Care Provider for a prescription.

Meningitis:
The Meningitis vaccination is required to travel to Saudi Arabia for The Hajj. The vaccination must be documented on an International Vaccine Certificate at least 10 days prior to arrival. The vaccine certificate is available at the Manatee County Health Department for a fee. You may have difficulty getting back into the United States if you have been to an area where this immunization is required and have not had the vaccine.
The Meningitis vaccine may be recommended for travel to other countries during specific times of the year. This disease seems to be more prevalent in areas where large groups of people are together in a small area. If you decide to receive this vaccine please review the information sheet you will receive during check-in at the Manatee County Health Department.

Japanese Encephalitis:
The Japanese Encephalitis vaccine is not available at the Bay County Health Department. Please check the CDC Travel Clinic web site for availability.
Japanese encephalitis vaccine is NOT recommended for all travelers to Asia. In general, the vaccine may be recommended for persons spending a month or longer in endemic areas during the transmission season, especially if travel will include rural areas. Please see the CDC encephalitis web site for more information.

Rabies:
If you plan to be around animals or explore caves where animals may live you should consider receiving this vaccination before you go. If you do receive a scratch or bite from an animal or are in close contact with a bat see a health care provider as soon as possible. Rabies is still virtually 100 percent deadly, but may take a long or short amount of time to incubate depending on a number of factors. This vaccination requires a series of three pre-exposure shots that take at least 21 days to complete. These vaccines must be ordered and paid for in advance.
If you decide to receive these vaccines please ensure that you read the vaccine information sheet you will receive at check-in at the Manatee County Health Department.

Polio:
If you?ve never had a Polio booster as an adult you may need a one time vaccination. Concerns about this disease have not been completely eliminated, so carefully examine the CDC information for the country you are planning to visit.
Please read the vaccine information sheet that you will receive at Manatee County Health Department at check-in if you decide to receive this vaccination.

Malaria:
The CDC website has a lot of information about malaria, for both you and your health care provider. It lists recommended medications for each country. We do not have the prescriptions available at the Manatee County Health Department. Your health care provider or a provider at a walk in clinic may write the prescription for you.
The symptoms of this illness can appear several weeks after exposure. You may need to start taking these medications before you go, while you are there, and for a period of time after you return home. Please plan your trip with your healthcare provider carefully. You or your Healthcare Provider will find up to date information at the CDC malaria website.

Monday ? Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Walk-IN.

748-0747 ext 1439