This page is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. GLA is not a medical provider. We rely on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), and we strongly recommend that families consult with a qualified travel or primary care health professional to make decisions tailored to individual medical histories, destination-specific risks, and up-to-date guidance. 

Travel Vaccinations & Health

Next Steps:

1. Make an appointment at a Travel Clinic - at least 4-6 weeks before travel!

We follow the guidance of the CDC & WHO, who strongly recommend that travelers are current on all routine immunizations. Visit your local travel clinic or doctor's office to help you navigate travel health decisions. Many Primary Care doctors' offices don't have travel-related immunizations readily available, so checking with a dedicated travel clinic may be necessary. Use this page as a reference, but medical professionals should make final determinations. If you will be traveling to multiple countries during the same trip, you may need additional vaccinations. As a reminder, you'll also need your Primary Care Physician to sign the Physician Release Form.

2. Review CDC Country-Specific Travel Health Recommendations

Familiarize yourself with vaccination, prophylaxis, and health advisories for your destination(s). 

3. Talk with your doctor

At your appointment,  discuss your upcoming program with the doctor. They will need to know which country, region, and what types of activities you'll be doing to give specific health recommendations. Click here to find the specific regions you will be traveling, and use your itinerary to share any relevant activities (rural vs urban, etc). Let your clinician interpret the data and advise accordingly.

4. Keep records & certificates handy

We recommend you keep copies of your records and any vaccine certificates handy; in some locations, travel or immigration authorities may require proof. 

COVID-19 Vaccination: Not required, but recommended for travel. While GLA does not mandate COVID-19 vaccination (unless required by the destination country), we strongly encourage all eligible participants to stay current with CDC/WHO guidance and discuss vaccinations with their healthcare provider.

CDC Recommendations Overview by Country

Global Leadership Adventures (GLA) follows guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) when sharing travel health and safety information. Use the infographic below to locate your destination and review the high-level recommendations associated with that country, including a direct link to the CDC Traveler Health page.

Important Reminder: GLA is not a medical provider and does not offer medical advice. All families should review CDC and WHO recommendations and consult their healthcare provider or a certified travel health clinic to determine which vaccines, medications, or precautions are appropriate for their individual health needs.

Important Details to Note:

Yellow Fever

Ghana

A yellow fever vaccination and certificate are required for entry into Ghana and other locations if traveling from a country with risk of Yellow Fever virus transmission. For Ghana, you cannot apply for your tourist visa until you have the yellow fever certificate and you will be required to show proof when entering Ghana, so be sure to bring the original certificate of your vaccination to present upon entry and keep it in with your passport. You can find a clinic for your Yellow Fever Vaccination here.

Tanzania

A yellow fever vaccination is generally not recommended, however, if you are coming from, including a layover at an airport for 12+ hours in a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission, proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is required to enter Tanzania. This includes common layovers of Kenya and Ethiopia. 

Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Thailand

A yellow fever vaccination and certificate are required for entry if arriving from a country with risk of Yellow Fever virus transmission. Visit the CDC website here for the list of countries. You will be required to show proof of vaccination when entering these countries, so be sure to bring the original certificate of your vaccination to present upon entry and keep it in with your passport. You can find a clinic for your Yellow Fever Vaccination here.

Malaria Prophylaxis Medication

Ghana & Tanzania 

You will need to take malaria prophylaxis medication while traveling to Ghana & Tanzania and some other locations. Our programs run in areas with known malaria transmission in Ghana & Tanzania. See more detailed information regarding malaria here. All students going to Ghana & Tanzania should bring malaria prophylaxis medication and stow it in their carry-on luggage as these medications are not always readily available abroad. Students are responsible for taking any medication(s) as prescribed during the program. There are several options for malaria prophylaxis medication, however, please consider the side effects. Most people take Atovaquone-proguanil or Doxycycline which are well-tolerated. Please consult your local travel clinic and travel doctor for a recommendation on which option is best for you.

Costa Rica

There is currently malaria present in the provinces of Alajuela and Limón, Costa Rica. Several of our programs spend a portion of time in the Alajuela and Limón Provinces (see full list here); however, the cases are localized, and our programs are not in the localized areas of transmission. 

There were a total number of eleven (11) cases of malaria in 2025, representing a 94.5% reduction compared to the same period in 2024. This achievement is the result of intensified efforts in active case finding, timely diagnosis, and immediate treatment in transmission zones and areas at risk of outbreaks. With this, Costa Rica is poised to become the third Central American country to eliminate malaria, after El Salvador and Belize. (Source: Costa Rican Ministry of Health, Oct. 1, 2025.)

Since our operations in Costa Rica began in 2006, we have never had a report of a student or staff contracting malaria during a GLA Costa Rica program. All Home Bases are vetted to ensure that we have either mosquito nets or screens on the windows, regardless of location. 

You should speak to your healthcare professional about how to prevent mosquito bites, if a malaria prophylaxis is best for you, and if so, which one. The CDC recommends you should start taking malaria prophylaxis drugs before travel. There are several options for malaria prophylaxis medication; however, please consider the side effects. Atovaquone-proguanil and doxycycline are generally well-tolerated. Because mefloquine (Lariam) can have notable side effects, we recommend discussing alternative options with your doctor. Please consult your local travel clinic and travel doctor for a recommendation on which option is best for you.

Dengue 

Dengue is a common mosquito-borne disease in many countries globally, including the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific Islands; there has been a global increase in dengue cases due to warmer, wetter weather. On June 20, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a Level 1 Travel Notice ("Practice Usual Precautions") regarding the global dengue situation. Learn more about the current situation here

Dengue is spread through mosquito bites, so travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites by using an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent (preferably with DEET, shown to be most effective against mosquito bites), wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors, and sleeping in an air-conditioned room or room with window screens, where possible.

Traveling with Medication

Japan

Certain prescription drugs like Adderall are illegal in Japan, even if you have a prescription from the United States. If traveling with a prescription, check with the government of Japan’s Ministry of Health to ensure it is legal. Possession, use, or import of prescription drugs banned in Japan may result in arrest and criminal prosecution.  Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. U.S. prescriptions are not honored in Japan. Bring enough of your prescription medicine for your entire stay in Japan, or, until you can see a local doctor. 

Returning Home

Pay attention to your body! If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, intestinal issues, or just not feeling quite yourself upon your return, it's a good idea to visit your doctor. While we make every effort to ensure a healthy experience abroad, traveling to new places comes with the inherent risk of exposure to bacteria or viruses. Sometimes symptoms do not appear until days or weeks after returning home. While the most common ailments are mild and take care of themselves within a few days, it is better to be safe than sorry! After returning, be alert to symptoms such as fever, gastrointestinal distress, respiratory illness, rash, or other unusual signs which can occur even weeks after you’ve arrived home (some infections have delayed onset). Because many illnesses may have incubation periods, do not assume you are fine just because symptoms appear late. Should any symptoms arise, consult your personal physician or a travel medicine specialist, referencing your travel itinerary and possible exposures. We kindly ask that you also inform GLA if you experience symptoms that require a physician, so that we may be part of your care team and support with necessary information and documentation as requested.