AntarcticaTraveler View

 

Hide

Travel Health Notices

There are no notices currently in effect for Antarctica.

⇧ Top

Hide

Vaccines and Medicines

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Vaccines for disease Recommendations Clinical Guidance for Healthcare providers
Routine vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

Immunization schedules

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to Antarctica.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Measles

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Rabies

Dogs infected with rabies are commonly found in Antarctica.

If rabies exposures occur while in Antarctica, rabies vaccines are typically available throughout most of the country.

Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.

Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.

For more information, see country rabies status assessments

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Top

Hide

Stay Healthy and Safe

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Antarctica, so your behaviors are important.

 

Eat and drink safely

Know how to get medical care while traveling

⇧ Top

Hide

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Antarctica for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

⇧ Top

Hide

After Your Trip

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic. Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel.

⇧ Top

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.