Welcome to the Thurston County Travel Clinic

Our goal is to protect the citizens of Thurston County.  We subscribe to a private travel advisory service (Travax) staffed by travel disease experts.  We follow their recommendations for vaccines.  Our service scans multiple sources for late-breaking information.  It issues detailed information on disease outbreaks, and other risks such as contaminated food and civil unrest. 

A couple can schedule together.  Larger groups can be scheduled together and receive a reduced fee, please e-mail the travel clinic to discuss this. 

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A travel clinic appointment will include:

• A review of current disease and travel risks for your destination, along with detailed discussion of the protective measures we advise
• Vaccines injections, prescriptions for traveler's diarrhea and malaria
• Written information and vaccine record for you, summary information sent to your medical home at your request.

For Yellow Fever or other required vaccines for international travel, we provide an International Travel Certificate. 

Answers to some frequently asked questions about services offered by the health department travel clinic:

Are vaccines given by the health department clinic free?

What are your prices?

Your particular vaccine needs depend on your past immunizations and your trip plans. Budget $600 for tropical Africa, $500 for developing nations in tropical Asia and the Pacific, and $300 for the rest of the world.  Your cost may be less.  

In addition, pre-exposure Rabies vaccine series is $749.  This is recommended for Latin America, Africa and Asia if you will be remote from medical care and in contact with animals. You can read a discussion of when this is advised for travelers at http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/.

For a list of vaccine prices, Click Here [PDF] ...

Will the health department travel clinic bill my insurance for me?

No, you must pay by check, cash or credit card at the time of your visit.

Will my insurance pay for the travel services I receive?

Check with your insurance carrier.  Many do not pay for travel-related vaccines and medications.

Some vaccinations (Tetanus/ diphtheria/ pertussis, influenza, meningitis, Hepatitis A) that are given in the health department travel clinics are often covered by insurance.  We can give you documentation that you can submit to your insurer for reimbursement.

What medications, prescriptions, immunizations, will I need for my travel destination?

You can find this information at www.cdc.gov.  Go to the travel section.

What vaccines do you have in stock?

• Hepatitis A and B, and a combination shot, given in a series of two or three shots

• Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis as a combination shot or Tetanus/ Diptheria alone

• Polio

• Meningococcal

• Typhoid

• Yellow Fever, with international travel certificate. We also write exemption letters if you are not medically suitable for this vaccine.

• Measles/Mumps/Rubella

• Rabies- a series of three shots

We do not currently stock:

• Pneumococcal (recommended for people with lung disease, over 65, and smokers)

• Varicella (chickenpox)

• Japanese Encephalitis - Please check with Providence St. Peter Family Practice, 360-493-7230

Where can I read about the risk of vaccines?

Two good sources are the Vaccine Information Sheets at www.immunize.org and www.cdc.gov.  We will review this information in your visit.

Am I too late?  I leave next week?

It is still worth starting a vaccine series, and reviewing how to avoid risks. The ideal interval between vaccination and exposure risk is 2 to 4 weeks. We encourage you to schedule as soon as your plans are firm.  Some vaccinations: rabies, Hepatitis A and  B, and  Japanese Encephalitis,  are given as a series.

Who else does travel vaccines?

1. Check with your personal health care provider.  Primary care providers and walk-in clinics often have Tetanus, pneumoccocal, and Hepatitis A vaccine.

2. Other travel clinics in Thurston County:
3. Providence St Peter Family Practice
   (360) 493-7230
   Can provide vaccines for children and their families.  Appointment times are limited must be scheduled in advance.  Has Japanese Encephalitis vaccine in stock.

1. Group Health Cooperative
   (Members Only)
   (1-800-562-6300 ext. 3488

1. The Evergreen State College Health Services
   (Registered Students Only - September to June)
   (360) 867-6200

3. These local pharmacies have told us that they are able to provide vaccines:  Updated 11/20/2009
4. Albertson's Savon Pharmacy (Tumwater)
   (360) 705-1445
   Vaccines provided to ages 12 & above

1. Fred Meyer Pharmacy (Lacey)
   (360) 438-6483

1. Fred Meyer Pharmacy (Tumwater)
   (360) 753-7933
   By appointment age 13 and older (12 and under requires a prescription). *Yellow Fever available

1. Safeway Pharmacy (Tumwater)
   (360) 943-7600
   Arrangements for medications or prescriptions can be made at www.travelmedmd.com This Safeway Pharmacy does Yellow Fever vaccine, by appointment ages 8 & above.

1. Tim's Pharmacy of Yelm
   (360) 458-8467, Option 3
   

4. Other options:  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a lists of Yellow Fever certificates by state. 

5. The private clinics below provide services to young children and stock Japanese Encephalitis vaccine:  Updated 11/20/2009
6. Passport Health (Tacoma)
   (253) 475-6462

1. Infections Ltd - Traveler's Health Services of Puyallup
   (253) 428-8754

1. University of Washington Travel and Tropical Medicine Clinic
   (206) 598-4888