UPENN SOM Global Health Programs

Travel Information: Health Precautions/Safety & Security

International Health Precautions

Travel Safety
Visas & US Department of State

International Health Precautions

Even for a short stay in another country, it is wise to make plans to safeguard your health. Be sure to have insurance that will cover any emergency or routine medical problems you may have.

Make an appointment for a travel consultation and immunizations at Penn's Travel Services in Student Health, or other professionals with this expertise, preferably at least two months before your departure. You should be prepared to present your full travel itinerary. Your itinerary and personal health data will be reviewed and student health will provide you with a personal computerized Travelcare Report. You can usually begin your recommended vaccines at the time of this visit. You will also receive a yellow World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination.

Note: MS3/4 students are qualified to engage in clinical activities consistent with their Penn Medicine training. Students who could be exposed to blood and body fluids should request a prescription for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis at Student Health. Please click to review post-exposure prophylaxis instructions.

Review the scope of your health insurance coverage and obtain additional coverage, as needed.
The University of Pennsylvania provides (at no cost to you) International SOS (ISOS) benefits. Through International SOS, Penn provides members of the Penn community who travel abroad on a Penn-affiliated activity, 24-hour worldwide assistance and emergency evacuation services. This includes pre-trip planning advice, access to country-specific travel/health/safety/security information, and in-country medical and personal assistance. This is not health insurance but does provide for medical evacuation and repatriation. Please register with ISOS right away, (find "visit the members' website") using the Penn Membership Number: 11BSGC000012 (registering will allow you to receive the fastest emergency response):

see "print card" below card image to obtain a paper copy to carry with you
open the “Personal Locator” and create a personal travel record
get travel and health information, based on your itinerary
open the “Emergency Record” and enter as much confidential information as you would like to be accessed in the event of an emergency and/or if you cannot speak for yourself; also in the Emergency Record, you can attach documents – you might like to attach a .pdf of the face sheet of your passport. In the event that your passport is lost or stolen, this could facilitate obtaining a replacement.

Go to the CDC's National Center for Infectious Diseases' Traveler's Health website and click on "Tips for Travelers."
After reviewing the "Tips," on the same webpage, use the pull-down menu under "Destinations" to find specific information for the region where you will be traveling.
Advice from the US Department of Health & Human Services can be obtained on their website.

Travel Safety & Security

Access Consular Information Sheets: Before you make a commitment to travel in any country, please carefully review the Consular Information Sheets provided by the US Department of State. Pay particular attention to the Safety and Security and Crime sections.
Register With State Department: The US Department of State may be able to assist you in the event of an emergency. Before you travel, visit their website and click on Register My Trip.
Study Safe Travel Information: Review the Department of State information on how to have a Safe Trip Abroad. You will find helpful information on a number of aspects of travel, including:
- What to do before you travel
  - What to bring with you
  - What do leave behind
- What to learn about before you travel
  - Security & Consular Information/Travel Warnings, & Public Announcements
  - Local Laws & Customs
- Things to arrange before you go
  - Itinerary
  - Legal Documents
  - Travel Registration with State Department
  - Credit Cards
  - Insurance
- Precautions to take while traveling
  - Safety on the Street
  - Safety in Hotels
  - Safety on Public Transportation
  - Safety when you Drive
  - How to Handle Money Safely
  - How to Avoid Legal Difficulties
- Assistance Abroad
Cell Phone: We recommend that you obtain a cell phone that will operate in the country/ies you are visiting as soon as possible. In addition to facilitating contacts with your local colleagues, you can use the phone to reach the nearest US embassy, consulate or diplomatic mission and/or the ISOS (see above) in the event of an emergency. Please note that your ISOS benefits, in addition to assistance in medical emergencies, can help you with emergency evacuation when unsafe conditions arise from political or natural disasters.
- US Embassy/Consulate/Mission: Make a note of the numbers before you leave the US by visiting the Directory of US Embassies/Consulates/Missions. As soon as you get the phone you will use while traveling, program these numbers.
- ISOS Phone Numbers: As soon as you get the phone you will use while traveling, program these ISOS numbers:

Visas & US Department of State

We highly recommend your visiting the US Department of State Website that supports US citizens traveling outside of the country. Here you will find much useful information, including:

travel warnings (visit the site often for the latest updates)
country background information
visa & passport requirements for your travel plans

Last updated: June 9, 2009