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Before you leave on an international trip, a short appointment at the Brown Health Medical Group travel clinic can help you leave with confidence. The clinic combines current, evidence-based travel health advice with on-site immunizations and any prescriptions you might need to stay healthy while abroad. Travelers often underestimate risks such as vector-borne illnesses, foodborne infections, or routine vaccine gaps; getting tailored recommendations from experienced clinicians reduces that uncertainty and makes your itinerary safer and more enjoyable.
The clinic serves people of all ages, from infants to older adults, and adapts its guidance to each traveler’s itinerary and medical history. A visit includes a focused review of destinations, planned activities, and timing to determine which vaccines and preventative strategies are appropriate. The team emphasizes practical prevention measures—mosquito avoidance, safe food and water habits, and prophylaxis for specific regions—so that protection is both realistic and effective.
Who provides care and what to expect
The clinical staff are faculty from The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and are board-certified infectious disease specialists. Many physicians also practice at The Miriam Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital, bringing hospital-based experience to outpatient travel medicine. These clinicians perform comprehensive pre-travel health assessments that consider chronic conditions, medication interactions, and age-specific vaccine recommendations. When indicated, they will write prescriptions—such as antimalarials or antibiotics for traveler’s diarrhea—and explain how to use them, helping travelers understand both benefits and side effects.
Vaccines, certifications, and preventive services
The clinic delivers a full spectrum of immunizations commonly recommended for travel and general protection. In addition to routine adult and childhood vaccines, the clinic offers region-specific shots and treatments including malaria prevention counseling and prevention and treatment of traveler’s diarrhea. Importantly, this site is an authorized provider of the yellow fever vaccine by the Rhode Island Department of Health and issues the International Certificate of Vaccination, a document often required for entry into some countries.
Available vaccines and special formulations
Vaccine options at the clinic include: cholera, chikungunya (brand names Ixchiq and Vimkunya), hepatitis A, hepatitis B (including Heplisav-B), influenza, Japanese encephalitis, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), meningococcal, mpox (formerly monkeypox; Jynneos), pneumococcal, polio, rabies, SARS-CoV-2 (Covid vaccine), shingles, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), tick-borne encephalitis, typhoid, varicella, and yellow fever. Staff can advise which vaccines are routine, which are travel-specific, and which require a series or special timing prior to departure.
How to get the most from your appointment
To ensure the visit is efficient and safe, bring documents and information that let clinicians provide individualized recommendations. Key items include a clear copy of your insurance card, a complete and current list of medications including doses, any known allergies, and your vaccination records. Also provide a detailed travel itinerary—cities, dates, planned activities, and accommodations—so risk assessment can account for rural versus urban exposure, length of stay, and seasonal disease patterns.
Practical tips and follow-up
Arrive prepared to discuss medical history and to receive vaccinations that may require observation after administration. If your trip is imminent, tell the clinic so clinicians can prioritize single-dose or accelerated vaccine schedules where safe and appropriate. The team will document vaccines and give you any necessary paperwork, including the International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever, and will advise on when to seek urgent care abroad. With planning and the right protective measures, you can focus on your destination rather than the risks.