Tips for Healthy Travel with Children

by | Jun 25, 2025 | Travel Medicine & Vaccines

Anonymous husband and his wife walking with their little girl sitting on luggage at the airport.

Family travel can be an exciting adventure, offering children exposure to new cultures, experiences, and environments. But travelling with kids, especially to international destinations, also involves unique health considerations. From preventing travel-related illnesses to understanding recommended vaccines for children, being well-prepared helps ensure a safe and enjoyable trip for everyone.

Travelling Safely with Infants and Children: Understanding the Health Risks

Children are more vulnerable than adults to many travel-related illnesses due to their developing immune systems, behaviours (e.g., putting things in their mouths), and greater risk of dehydration and complications from certain infections. Some potential illnesses include:

1. Traveller’s Diarrhea

Diarrhea is one of the most common travel-related illnesses affecting children. This can be particularly dangerous for infants and young children, as they can become dehydrated more quickly than adults. It often results from ingesting contaminated food or water.

Prevention Tips:

  • Drink only bottled or properly treated water.

  • Avoid raw or undercooked food, unpasteurized dairy products, and street food (unless it appears to be freshly cooked). Serve food to children that is cooked thoroughly and eaten while still hot.

  • Consider bringing safe snacks from home for short trips.

  • Encourage children to wash their hands frequently.

  • Carry oral rehydration salts (e.g., Hydralyte or Pedialyte) to prevent dehydration in the event of traveller’s diarrhea.

2. Mosquito-Borne Illnesses

Diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika virus can pose significant risks in certain parts of the world, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. Children are at increased risk of severe complications of malaria, including seizures, coma, and death.

Prevention Tips:

  • Use child-safe insect repellents, ideally with 20% icaridin.

  • Dress children in lightly coloured long sleeves and pants.

  • Sleep in rooms with air conditioning or use mosquito netting over cribs and beds. Mosquito netting should also be used over infant carriers.

  • Give children medication to prevent malaria if travelling to an area where malaria is a risk.

3. Rabies

Depending on your destination, rabies could be a risk if a child is bitten or scratched by an animal. Rabies is more common in children than adults and is fatal once symptoms begin.

Prevention Tips:

  • Instruct children to avoid all stray animals and inform an adult if they have any contact with animals or bats.

  • Clean animal bites or scratches immediately with soap and water for at least 15-20 minutes and seek medical attention right away to assess whether a child needs rabies treatment.

  • Always purchase travel medical insurance for the family before departure in case rabies treatment is not available at your destination.

4. Respiratory Infections

Exposure to crowded places such as airports, airplanes, and tourist attractions increases the risk of respiratory infections, including flu and COVID-19.

Prevention Tips:

  • Ensure children practice good hand hygiene.

  • Pack child-sized masks to use in crowded indoor settings.

  • Ensure routine vaccines to prevent respiratory infections are up-to-date before departure, including pertussis (whooping cough), diphtheria, COVID-19, pneumococcal, and flu.

 

a baby about to get a vaccineRecommended Vaccines for Children Who Are Travelling

Before travelling, children should be up-to-date on all routine vaccines. Some routine vaccines, such as MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), can be given at an earlier age if a child will be at increased risk of measles during travel. Routine vaccines can be given at your local Public Health Unit. Additional vaccines may be recommended depending on your destination and planned activities. Consider booking a travel consultation at TMVC to learn which vaccines are recommended for your trip.

Routine vaccines include:

  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

  • TdaP (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)

  • Polio

  • Varicella (Chickenpox)

  • Hepatitis B

  • Meningococcal

  • Pneumococcal

  • Influenza

  • COVID-19

Travel-specific vaccines that may be recommended include:

  • Hepatitis A: A virus spread through food and water. The vaccine is recommended for most destinations outside of North America, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

  • Typhoid: A bacteria spread through food and water. The vaccine is recommended for travel to parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

  • Dukoral: An oral, drinkable vaccine that helps prevent traveller’s diarrhea and cholera.

  • Yellow Fever: A mosquito-borne disease found in parts of Africa and South America. This vaccine might be required for entry into certain countries.

  • Japanese Encephalitis: A mosquito-borne disease found in rural areas of Asia and the Western Pacific. The vaccine is recommended for extended travel to these destinations.

  • Rabies: Consider the vaccine for children spending a lot of time outdoors or in remote areas, especially in developing countries.

  • Meningococcal Meningitis: A serious bacterial infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. The vaccine is recommended for travel to parts of sub-Saharan Africa and is required for Hajj or Umrah pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

 

Be Prepared for the Unexpected

young child playing in poolSchedule a Pre-Travel Consultation

Consult a travel medicine specialist at TMVC well in advance. Bring your itinerary and your child’s vaccine records and ask about:

  • Recommended vaccines

  • Malaria prophylaxis, if applicable

  • Traveller’s diarrhea

Pack a Child-Friendly Travel Health Kit Including:

  • Age-appropriate medications (e.g., pain and fever relievers, antibiotics for severe traveller’s diarrhea)

  • Oral rehydration salts

  • Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes

  • Sunscreen and insect repellent

  • Basic first aid supplies

Documents and Insurance

  • Carry copies of vaccination records.

  • Know where local medical care is available at your destination.

  • Purchase travel medical insurance, including evacuation coverage.

 

Before You Go

Travelling with children is a rewarding experience, but it does require some extra planning. By understanding the health risks and making sure your child is properly vaccinated, you can relax and focus on the joy of discovering the world together. When in doubt, a travel health specialist is your best resource to help tailor advice to your family’s specific needs and destination. It’s easy to book a travel consultation at TMVC. Simply give us a call at 1-888-288-8682 or book online. We look forward to meeting with you and helping your family stay healthy on your next travel adventure!