Travel Clinic and Vaccination Clinic
Related topics: HPV Immunization Public Health
At the VCH Travel Clinic/Vaccination Clinic, we offer a range of vaccination and travel services to protect your health. Established in 1978, we are owned and operated by the public health branch of Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). We run on a cost-recovery basis, so any additional profits go back into public health funding.
We have been designated as the Centre of Excellence in Travel Medicine in British Columbia by the Ministry of Health and as a Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
What to expect
Services we provide:
- travel health assessments,
- travel prescriptions,
- vaccinations, and
- travel products.
Our team
The doctors at the VCH Travel Clinic/Vaccination Clinic provide travel prescriptions, health advice, and vaccine recommendations tailored to your individual medical history and travel itinerary. The registered nurses provide the vaccinations after the assessment with the doctor is complete. We have a wide range of non-travel vaccinations as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do you perform the COVID-19 test or vaccines for travel?
No. We are not performing the COVID-19 test at our clinic. For a list of clinics that provide testing for travel, visit testing for COVID-19 on bccdc.ca. To get vaccinated for COVID-19, visit getting a COVID-19 vaccination on bccdc.ca.
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What services do you provide?
We provide:
- travel health assessments,
- travel prescriptions,
- vaccinations and
- travel products.
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When should I book my appointment?
If you are travelling, ideally you should book an appointment 4 to 6 weeks prior to departure. This will give you enough time to complete vaccines (including vaccines that require more than 1 dose). If you are leaving on short notice or are a last minute traveller we are happy to accommodate you to provide adequate coverage given the time allowed.
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What should I bring to my appointment?
Please bring the following:
- previous vaccination records (if applicable),
- list of current medications,
- CareCard or BC Services Card,
- travel itinerary (if applicable) and
- a method of payment (Visa, Mastercard, Debit, Amex)
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Are these services covered?
Travel medicine: Not subsidized by the government, including consultations and some travel vaccines.
Vaccinations: Travel vaccinations are not covered by the government under your carecard (PHN – personal health number). Some extended health plans may cover vaccination costs. We do not do direct billing but will provide an itemized receipt.
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Why are there fees?
We are owned and operated by Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). The fees you pay cover the cost of the vaccines and clinic operations. We run on a cost recovery basis, which means that any profits we make go back into VCH public health funding.
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Can my family doctor provide these services?
Aside from some of the routine vaccinations, family doctors or walk-in clinics may not have travel vaccines in stock. Our medical staff provides travel prescriptions, routine and travel vaccinations, and travel products all in one place. We are a designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre by the Public Health Agency of Canada. This designation is required to provide the Yellow Fever vaccine, while family doctors and most other clinics do not have this special designation. The Ministry of Health has designated us as the Centre for Excellence in Travel Medicine for British Columbia as well.
Resources
Staff resources - If you are a public health nurse practicing travel medicine in BC, you are eligible to join the “Centre of Excellence” site. To register and receive the password to access the guide, email tc.consult@vch.ca.
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Meningitis updates
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What vaccines do I need if I’m over 50?
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HPV information
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Zika virus updates
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Vaccine reference guide
Password protected - contact for password
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Immunization manual
BC Centre for Disease Control
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Canadian immunization guide
Health Canada - for more detailed information on vaccines and the diseases they prevent.
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Public Health Agency of Canada
Travel health notices and travel health facts.
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BC Centre for Disease Control
Local health notices and immunization programs.
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Centre for Disease Control - USA
Travel health education & travel notices.
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World Health Organization
Information on vaccine-preventable diseases
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Tripprep.com
Travel health information. Click on ‘Destination Information’ and choose your destination.
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CANImmunize App
formerly ImmunizeCA
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A Gluu guide to travelling with technology eBook
Gluu Technology Society
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Zika virus infographic
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Cost of services
Travel medicine is not subsidized by the government, including consultations and some travel vaccines. The fees you pay cover the cost of the vaccines and clinic operations. We run on a cost recovery basis, meaning any profits we make go back into VCH public health funding.
Appointment types
Travel assessment
You can book a travel assessment appointment for travel-related vaccines or regular vaccines. Our doctors provide prescriptions, health advice, and vaccine recommendations tailored to your medical history and travel itinerary. Once the doctor completes the assessment, our registered nurses can provide the vaccinations within the same appointment. The cost of vaccinations is in addition to the appointment costs. We have group rates available.
Ideally, you should book your appointment 4-6 weeks prior to departure. This will give you enough time to complete vaccines (including vaccines that require more than 1 dose). If you are leaving on short notice or are a last-minute traveller we are happy to accommodate you to provide adequate coverage given the time allowed.
Registered Nurse only vaccinations
You can book an appointment without a doctor's assessment if you are only looking for a follow-up booster or specific vaccine (excluding the yellow fever vaccine) which can be given by a nurse. You will not see the doctor, receive vaccine recommendations, be given prescriptions, or travel/health advice. This appointment costs $25 if you have not been to our clinic before, plus the cost of the vaccinations.
Virtual travel assessment
Travel assessments by phone/email are available at a fee of $75 per person. Vaccination costs are not included. You will need a health-care provider or a clinic in your area that can administer the recommended vaccines. Have your pharmacy name and fax number ready as we will fax your travel prescriptions to this pharmacy. pre-payment required. Immunization history is to be emailed to travel.clinic@vch.ca prior to your virtual appointment.
To request a virtual assessment, call us at (604) 736-9244.
Tuberculosis (TB) skin tests
Tuberculosis skin tests require a follow-up visit 48-72 hours after the initial test to read the result. A TB skin test cannot be done if you have received a live vaccine in the last 4 weeks (eg: Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Chicken Pox or Yellow Fever). This costs $80 and requires 2 appointments.
To request a TB skin test, call us at (604) 736-9244. Online booking is not available for TB skin tests.
Booking for school trips
If you are planning a school trip, please contact us and ask to be connected to the lead nurse to inquire about school group bookings.
Cancellation/late policy
If you arrive more than 10 minutes after your scheduled appointment, the clinic staff may need to reschedule your appointment.
To cancel an appointment, we require 24 hours of notice. Families of 3 or more, will need to secure the appointments with a credit card, charge of $25 per person applied if cancelled after 24 hours of booking time or a no-show for the appointment.
Book your appointment online
No referral is required. Book an appointment 4 to 6 weeks prior to departure. If you are not travelling and require vaccinations only, please call the office anytime.