Health Information for Travelers
Welcome to the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) safe travel web resource, where we are committed to providing you with the latest information and guidelines to ensure your travels are as safe and healthy as possible.
If you are traveling within Pennsylvania or venturing outside of the state, it's important to take steps to protect your health and the health of those around you. This page is designed to provide helpful tips and resources on preventing the spread of illnesses and diseases, during your travels. By following best practices and staying informed, you can help ensure your travels are safe and enjoyable. For county-by-county guidance when traveling in Pennsylvania, check the
Respiratory Virus Dashboard.
Safe Travel Bulletin
A quarterly bulletin focusing on health news that may impact your travel plans:
Planning a trip? Before you go, make sure you are up to date with your
vaccinations. Traveling can increase your chances of getting sick and international travel increases your chances of getting and spreading diseases that are uncommon in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travelers' Health Branch gives health advice to international travelers. Use their tool to find the vaccines and medications you need for your next trip. Stay informed about your destination's specific health risks by checking for
destination-specific guidance.
Pack
a
travel health
kit. Some items may be hard to find at your destination. Bring items you may need like medicines, test kits, masks, insect repellent, water disinfection tablets, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer. Pack enough for your trip and extra in case of delays.
Sign
up
for
the
U.S.
Department
of
State's
Smart
Traveler
Enrollment
Program (STEP). A FREE service for U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living out of the country to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Registering ensures that the U.S. Department of State knows where you are if you have serious legal, medical, or financial trouble while traveling. STEP can also help friends and family contact you in the event of an emergency. STEP provides safety information about your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
The CDC's Traveler-based Genomic Surveillance (TGS) Program. The CDC's TGS program, initially focused on COVID-19, is now expanding to test for flu, RSV, and other respiratory viruses in international air travelers. This program involves collecting nasal swab and wastewater samples at six major U.S. airports, such as Boston Logan, San Francisco International, Dulles in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles International, Newark, and New York's JFK International. The goal is to quickly identify and track new virus variants and pathogens, providing important data for public health responses. Participation in this program is voluntary and anonymous.
Get Vaccinated: The flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccine is offered statewide at many locations, including your doctor's office, pharmacies, grocery stores with pharmacies and also at numerous Department of Health facilities.
The Department of Health offers vaccines to those who are uninsured and underinsured. Eligible individuals interested in receiving a flu, COVID-19, or RSV vaccine should call 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) or their local state health center to schedule an appointment. A parent/legal guardian must accompany children who are receiving a vaccination. Department of Health staff will need to be notified before the appointment if someone other than the child's parent/legal guardian will be accompanying him/her.
Use At-Home COVID-19 Testing: Widely available at-home antigen tests can help you detect a COVID-19 infection and prevent you from unknowingly spreading the virus. You can get free COVID-19 tests mailed right to your door. Order today at covidtests.gov.
Check to see if your COVID-19 tests' expiration dates have been extended:
Resources
Request a Free Public Health Consultation
If you are looking for support from the experts, the Bureau of Epidemiology's Safe Travel Team is a free resource developed to support Commonwealth travelers and the institutions that serve them.
Travel team members are available to:
- Provide the latest health and safety guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the PA Department of Health (PA DOH) to help curb the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases while traveling.
- Collaborate with transportation providers, community organizations, Institutes of higher education, and public health agencies to provide educational products.
- Answer questions concerning alerts to existing, new, and emerging public health threats affecting travelers.
Reach out with questions to:
ra-pwsafetravel@pa.gov