Travel Health Resources
A well-informed traveler is a safe traveler!
Student Health Travel Clinic
Student Health offers free pre-travel consultations to VCU students by appointment.
- It is best to complete your travel health care at least 30-60 days prior to your departure.
- Be prepared to provide specific information about your destination, accommodations, and activities.
- Students are responsible for the cost of recommended prescriptions and vaccines.
Basic Travel To-Do List
The following are minimum items to consider completing prior to your departure. Read the Student Health brochures below for comprehensive recommendations for safe travel.
- Travel vaccines: Don't wait until the last minute to update your vaccines! Ideally, vaccines should be completed a minimum of 15 days before arrival at your destination. Some vaccine series require 6 months to complete. You can access vaccine records that you have submitted to (or obtained at) Student Health through our Web Portal.
- International Health & Travel Insurance:
- Students participating in a VCU-affiliated program (study abroad, service-learning, research, etc.) are required to enroll in VCU's international health and emergency assistance insurance plan with Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). Here are the full plan details.
- This insurance plan covers health care costs incurred during university-sponsored international travel and provides emergency assistance, including medical or security evacuations and repatriation of remains.
- Once enrolled, students should familiarize themselves with the CISI coverage and instructions on how to use the insurance while abroad. We recommend that you download the myCISI mobile app and carry a paper copy of your insurance card with you.
- Students traveling abroad outside of a VCU-affiliated program are also strongly advised to purchase international health and travel insurance. For an explanation of what travel insurance covers and a comparison of policies, go to travelinsurancereview.net. Talk to your medical provider for more information.
Finding Medical Services Abroad
- Learn about the health care resources at your host university and host community. Some universities have their own Student Health clinics while others can provide a list of recommended medical providers in the community where you can use your CISI insurance.
- Once you purchase CISI insurance through VCU, you will have access to a directory of medical services worldwide, including facilities with English-speaking staff. Other travel insurance policies may offer similar resources.
- You can also find English-speaking medical providers through the US Embassy website. Choose the country of interest then the embassy office. Next click on "US Citizen Services" at the top, scroll down to Local Resources and choose "Medical Assistance", where you will find information about medical services specific to your destination.
- Consider using other travel apps, such as TravWell by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) and TravelSmart by Allianz Global Assistance.
Student Health Brochures
Other Online Resources
- Health & Vaccine Info
- Info about your destination's demographics, climate, safety, & travel advisories