The Dolomites, Italy
Canadian child health, made clearer
Little answers for
big worries.
Calm, practical health information for families—built from trusted Canadian guidance and linked to expert resources from SickKids.
- Reviewed Jul 2026
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- Free to families
Made for familiesClear, calm, kind
Evidence-awareCanadian sources
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Little travellers. A bigger world.
Travel Clinic for Kids
For children only Cambridge, Ontario
A first family holiday. A visit with grandparents. A new adventure. Start with travel health advice tailored to your child’s age, health and itinerary.
A little inspiration for your next family adventure. Health risks and vaccine advice depend on your actual itinerary.
Before the bags are packed
Start about six weeks before you go.
Bring your child’s vaccine record, travel dates, destinations and planned activities. We’ll discuss routine vaccines, destination-specific protection and practical ways to stay well. Leaving sooner? Call to ask what can still be arranged.
Request a travel consultationChildren’s travel consultations are not covered by OHIP. Call (519) 620-2444 for current fees and vaccine availability.
Canada’s advice for travelling with children ↗Protection that fits the journey
Vaccine-preventable illnesses to know about.
These are common topics in a travel consultation, not a list of vaccines every child needs. Some infections are rare in travellers. Recommendations depend on age, destination, length of stay and activities.
Measles
A very contagious airborne infection causing fever, cough and a rash. It can lead to pneumonia or other serious complications. Check your child’s MMR protection before international travel.
Measles · Public Health Agency of Canada ↗Hepatitis A
A liver infection spread through contaminated food or water. It may cause fatigue, nausea and jaundice; young children may have no symptoms. Vaccination is recommended for travel to areas where it is common.
Hepatitis A · Public Health Agency of Canada ↗Typhoid fever
A bacterial infection that can cause prolonged fever and abdominal illness. Contaminated food and water spread it. Vaccine advice is especially relevant for South Asia; careful food and water choices still matter.
Typhoid · Public Health Agency of Canada ↗Rabies
A virus affecting the nervous system, usually spread by an infected animal’s bite or scratch. Discuss vaccination for higher-risk trips. Avoid unfamiliar animals; a bite or scratch needs urgent medical care even after vaccination.
Rabies · Public Health Agency of Canada ↗Japanese encephalitis
A mosquito-borne virus in parts of Asia and the western Pacific that can cause brain inflammation. Rare in Canadian travellers, it may warrant vaccination for longer stays or significant rural exposure.
Japanese encephalitis · Canadian Immunization Guide ↗Yellow fever
A mosquito-borne infection in parts of Africa and South America that can cause severe liver disease. Some itineraries require proof of vaccination. In Canada, vaccination is available only at designated yellow fever centres.
Yellow fever · Public Health Agency of Canada ↗Start with routine vaccines. Your child’s record may also need a review for polio, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, hepatitis B, influenza and other age-appropriate vaccines. Vaccination works alongside safe food and water, insect-bite prevention and avoiding animal bites.
Behind the figures: sources, family costs & photo credits
Figures describe the populations studied. They are not estimates of a child’s chance of infection on a particular trip or of a Canadian family’s medical bill.
- 97% measles protection: CDC reports this effectiveness for two doses of MMR. Infant travel recommendations and vaccine suitability need an individual review. CDC: Plan for Travel ↗
- 508 million illnesses prevented: A 2024 CDC model estimates lifetime benefits of routine childhood vaccines for approximately 117 million U.S. children born during 1994–2023. The study also estimates US$2.7 trillion in net societal savings, including avoided medical costs and lost productivity. This is a U.S. population estimate, not travel-vaccine savings or household reimbursement. CDC MMWR study ↗
- The cost in family time: An England survey of 203 people with confirmed measles from 2012–2013, published in 2014, found a mean 9.6 days away from school or work among recovered patients who reported absence. Caregivers who reported absence for recovered patients missed a mean 7.3 workdays. Lost work time and additional care can put pressure on a family’s budget; actual costs vary. Thorrington et al., PLOS ONE ↗
Planning and vaccine information: Government of Canada: healthy travel with children ↗ and the Canadian Immunization Guide: travellers ↗. Each illness above links to its Canadian reference.
Destination photos on Unsplash: Dejan Cabrilo · Dolomites, Shai Pal · Taj Mahal, Sergei Bezzubov · Thailand. Used under the Unsplash License.
Travel information and source links checked October 12, 2026. General education; your consultation provides advice for your child and itinerary.
A calmer next step
Read the signs.
Choose the right care.
Every leaflet follows the same three-part path, so you can find the most important information quickly—even on a hard day.
Find a leaflet-
01
Care at home
Comfort measures that are reasonable for mild symptoms.
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02
Talk with a clinician
Signs that mean your child should be assessed.
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03
Get urgent help
Red flags that should not wait for a clinic appointment.
Thoughtful sources
Built on Canadian guidance.
Leaflets summarize public guidance from the Canadian Paediatric Society, Health Canada, and SickKids’ AboutKidsHealth. Open any leaflet to see its condition-specific sources.
Content and links reviewed July 22, 2026.