Travel
The planning of a well-deserved vacation, a relocation for work purposes or simply visiting friends and family is exciting!
Things to do prior to departure such as:
- Choosing a destination and things to do while on holiday
- Dates of travelling
- Travel insurance
- Passports
- House and/or pet sitting
- Luggage and clothing
Some countries require certain vaccines prior to entry, some others are recommended to keep you healthy and enjoy your next adventure.
Travel vaccines recommendation depend on the type of travel, destination, length of travel, immunization history, and health history. There are different risks you may encounter and will need to be protected or at least aware of during your trip. Some preventable diseases may be recommended in addition to the regular immunizations such as updating Tetanus/Diphtheria and Pertussis are:
Chikungunya is an arboviral infection that, clinically, is easily confused with dengue and Zika. Chikungunya, which is caused by an alphavirus transmitted by day-biting Aedes mosquitoes (A. aegypti and A. albopictus), is prevalent in tropical Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. All travelers to countries or territories with risk of chikungunya virus transmission should take steps to avoid mosquito bites. The risk for chikungunya for most U.S. travelers is low. However, some travelers are at an increased risk of infection or more severe disease. Factors to assess when considering use of chikungunya vaccine include the likelihood of exposure to chikungunya virus, a traveler’s risk factors for severe disease outcomes, and traveler preferences.
Cholera is an acute bacterial intestinal disease caused by toxigenic Vibrio cholerae. Cholera occurs in developing countries with inadequate sanitation and a lack of clean drinking water and in areas where infrastructure may have broken down due to war or natural disasters. Cholera is a substantial health burden in such countries and is endemic in Africa and South and Southeast Asia (where focal outbreaks periodically occur) as well as in South and Central America (but much less so). Recent outbreaks have occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Horn of Africa, and Yemen.
Hepatitis A (Hep A) infection occurs worldwide and is caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV), which is transmitted via the fecal-oral route or via consumption of contaminated food or water and is then replicated in the liver.
Travelers should observe food and beverage precautions and hand hygiene (frequent, thorough handwashing), regardless of vaccination status. – Travelers should also observe safer-sex practices
Hepatitis B, a serious, potentially chronic infection of the liver that occurs worldwide, is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is transmitted via contact with contaminated blood, blood products, and other bodily fluids. Travellers should discuss itinerary and activities with a health care provider.
Japanese encephalitis (JE), caused by a flavivirus (closely related to West Nile and Saint Louis encephalitis viruses), is a potentially severe arboviral disease occurring throughout south-central, southeastern, and eastern Asia and parts of the Western Pacific and is transmitted via the bite of infected mosquitoes (Culex species).
Meningococcemia and meningococcal meningitis are potentially fatal, acute bacterial infections of the blood and meninges occurring worldwide, caused by Neisseria meningitidis. Transmission is through direct contact with airborne droplets from infected persons or carriers.
Pneumococcal disease, caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, is transmitted person to person via direct contact with respiratory secretions from infected persons or carriers (mainly infants and young children, especially in low- and middle-income countries).
Polio (poliomyelitis) is a highly infectious disease of the nervous system caused by polioviruses acquired through the consumption of fecally contaminated food or water.
Rabies is an acute, progressive infection of the central nervous system caused by neurotropic viruses, which are transmitted in the saliva through the penetrating bite of rabid animals. A traveler who has been bitten, scratched, or licked by a mammal in a rabies-endemic country or by a bat from anywhere in the world should urgently seek advice on Post Exposure Prophylaxis.
For infants 0- 24 months: single-dose immunization designed for the prevention of RSV disease in newborns and infants, including those born healthy, at term or preterm, or with specific health conditions
Typhoid fever is a potentially serious bacterial infection caused by Salmonella. Transmission is through the consumption of fecally contaminated food or water; risk is highest in developing countries, especially in South Asia.
Yellow fever, an acute hemorrhagic disease, is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito that acquires the virus when it ingests a blood meal from infected monkeys or humans in Africa and Central and South America. Risk to travelers is low; however, the case-fatality rate approaches 90% in unvaccinated travelers.
Book your first appointment
Has someone informed you that before your next trip you need to be immunized? It could be a family member, your travel agent, a government health worker, or maybe you saw something on tv. We are here to help and want to make the process as painless as possible. Here is what you can expect when getting immunized at atlas immunization!
Because Provincial Health Care Insurance Plans do not cover Travel Health Immunization Services, a receipt with the Drug Identification Number (DIN) will be provided to you at the end of each of your visits for submission to your private health insurance plan for reimbursement assessment through your drug plan or a Health Spending Account. Please make sure to submit your receipts and keep them in a safe place to avoid a replacement fee.
Book an Appointment online, it is easy, simple, and convenient, leave us a message at 780-465-5150 or email at admin@atlasimmunization.com
If you are only requiring a certain vaccine, please let us know by using the “additional comments optional” field when you schedule the appointment to make sure the vaccine is available to you.
Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment, parking is provided at no cost in front of our office.
To provide you with comprehensive service please remember to bring:
- Your previous immunization records (including out of Province/Country), we have access to the online Alberta registry; however, sometimes those records are incomplete, contact your local Health Centre to get a copy if you do not have one. (780-413-7985 in Alberta or 811)
- Travel Itinerary
- Please complete the First Page ONLY of the Travel immunization form. Download it here.
Vaccine recommendations are based on your health, medication, and vaccine history.
Precautions, risk assessment and vaccine recommendations are discussed at this visit according to your specific itinerary. Our health care professional will also administer vaccines at this visit.
The Nurse will discuss each of the recommended vaccine information, including side effects, and will administer consented vaccines accordingly. Please note that if you decline recommended vaccines, a consultation fee of $65.00 will apply.
You will then be given a record book with all the vaccines you received from our clinic for your records as well as Certificates for vaccines given for entry to certain countries who request proof of vaccine Ex: Yellow Fever, Polio. Please note: If you have access to my Health Alberta Records, all immunizations given from our office will be included in your electronic immunization records. If you would like to request access, please click the following link: My heatlh records
The friendly front desk staff will then take your payment and give you a receipt with a DIN (Drug Identification Number) for your re-imbursement claim with your Private Benefit Plan or Health Spending Accounts. We accept payments via Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Interac (Debit), or e-transfer to admin@atlasimmunization.com
Please keep receipt safe to avoid a replacement fee of $15.00.
Frequently Asked Questions
For Travellers the length of your appointment will depend on the particulars of your itinerary and the number of people travelling with you, it may take between 15 and 60 minutes, once you book it you will know the estimated length of your visit.
For Travellers we recommend that you book your appointment as soon as destination and date of departure/return are confirmed.
It is better to book an appointment at least 6-8 weeks prior to departure, but you can always minimize the risk; it is never too late to get immunizations. If you cannot find an appointment online prior to your departure, please email us at admin@atlasimmunization.com or leave a message at 780-465-5150 one of our staff will be happy to help you.
For travellers, some vaccines are recommended by the country you are visiting, Health Canada, and other entities while others are required for you to get into the country. Immunizations, along with recommended preventive measures, will help you stay healthy, so you can enjoy your journey and your return home.
For Travellers yes. Although Government clinics may offer travel services as well, both the private and public sector charge for vaccines since travel immunizations are not covered by government insurance.
NO, Atlas Immunizations is a designated Yellow Fever Centre by the Public Health Agency of Canada, we have all vaccines on site for your convenience.
NO, for your safety vaccines are heavily regulated, and must be stored and transported within the Provincial Cold Chain Protocol.
The Canadian Public Health System does not cover travel immunization. However, some private insurance companies may reimburse the cost depending on the level of coverage. A receipt with the Drug Identification Number will be issued to you at each visit.
In order to provide you with comprehensive service please:
- Bring your previous immunization records (including out of Province/Country), we have access to the online Alberta registry; however, sometimes those records are incomplete, contact your local health centre to get a copy if you do not have one. (780-413-7985in Alberta or 811)
- List of currently prescribed medications
- Travel Itinerary
- Travel immunization form that need to be completed. Download it here.
To avoid a short notice cancellation fee of $48.00 you must cancel your appointment at least 48 hours in advance, other patients would appreciate the opportunity to book their appointment.
Please note: A reminder of your appointment will be sent to you, use this to confirm, cancel or reschedule. You can also cancel by phone (leave a message) or e-mail at admin@atlasimmunization.com
Our Travel nurses follow provincial and international guidelines to assure you don’t get unnecessary vaccines, they are trained, and specialized with more than 100 years of combined experience in travel health offering the most current information on required and recommended vaccinations specific to your travel itinerary. Although, some experienced travellers may not want to have an assessment we highly recommend having one prior to departure.
Yes, our travel nurses are experienced in immunizing children from birth. Travel vaccines have a minimum age requirement of 6 months.
Most vaccines cause no reactions outside of some local redness or tenderness at the injection site, but in rare cases may cause dizziness, fatigue, or headache. Prior to the administration of any vaccine, our experienced staff will go over details of the recommended vaccines.
Yes, for your convenience, we have available parking in front of our office.
Atlas immunization appointment booking request
Get the travel immunizations and testing you need
Ensure a safe trip
