Be ready for your next trip!

While Covid-19 has put a wrench in our travel plans, it is still important to plan ahead. Discover steps you can take before your next get away and how your pharmacist can help you avoid common travel mishaps.

Travel Health Tips

Your pharmacist is a good resource to ensure you have everything you need for your trip. While traveling is a wonderful experience and sometimes an escape, you are at an increased risk of contracting illnesses due to exposure to different environments. So before you travel, plan ahead.

Before your trip

  • Check to see if you need immunizations or vaccinations for the areas you are visiting. See your doctor at least 6 weeks before you leave. Some vaccines don’t reach the highest protection until about 6 weeks after you get the shots.

  • Have medical and dental check-ups before your trip. Be aware of health problems you may have. Find out about medicines you might need to take with you. We can pre package your medications in smaller blister packaging so you can save those extra pounds in your luggage for an extra outfit or some shopping!

  • Find out what your health insurance will pay for if you see a doctor while you’re in another country.

  • Take a travel first-aid kit. (Please note: not all items listed below are necessary, you can customize your kit based on what you might need for a specific location).

    • Your prescription medicines

    • Medicine for diarrhea and upset stomach

    • Prescription antibiotic you can take in case you get traveler’s diarrhea

    • An over-the-counter medicine for upset stomach

    • Antacid for indigestion

    • Cough and cold medicines

    • Pain medicines (aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen)

    • Decongestants and antihistamines for allergies (non-drowsy formula)

    • Antibiotic ointment

    • Bandaids

    • Hydrocortisone cream

    • Sunscreen with a sun protection factor (minimum SPF of 15)

    • Lip balm

    • Medicine for motion sickness

    • Hand wipes and hand sanitizer

Vaccines that you may need

At Drug Shoppe Pharmacy, we offer a wide range of vaccinations and immunizations that you may need, such as:

  • Hepatitis A or Hep A Immune Globulin

  • Hepatitis B

  • Influenza (Flu Shot)

  • Dukoral

  • Japanese Encephalitis

  • Measles-mumps-rubella

  • Meningococcal meningitis

  • Pneumococcal

  • Polio.

  • Rabies.

  • Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids

  • Typhoid

  • Varicella aka - Chickenpox

Tips while traveling

  • Eat carefully if you’re going to a country with an increased risk of traveler’s diarrhea. Avoid eating foods from street vendors, unpasteurized dairy products, and raw or uncooked seafood. Peel fruits yourself. Drink water from commercially sealed bottles, or drink carbonated beverages. Avoid ice.

  • If you’re going to a country with an increased risk of mosquito-borne disease, protect yourself against insects. Insect repellents that contain DEET work the best. And use bed nets while you sleep.

  • If you’re going to a country with a risk of malaria, your doctor may prescribe preventive medicine for malaria. Start taking your malaria medicine before you leave on your trip. Take it during your travels and keep taking it for 4 weeks after you get home.


    Make sure to visit your pharmacist each time you plan to travel abroad.

    All recommendations will be customized to your needs, destination and itinerary.

Complete Your Pre-Travel Form

Tell us about your health history and travel plans by clicking the button and filling out the Pre-Travel Form. You will then be able to come in and talk to our pharmacist about recommendations for vaccinations and medications, customized for you and your trip!

You may also call to schedule an appointment with our pharmacist at your earliest convenience by calling 403.278.1565

* Upon completion of the form, please download it and email it to drugshoppe@shaw.ca, thank you!