The province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health is encouraging people to make sure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations before travelling outside of Newfoundland and Labrador as the spring vacation season begins.

Public Health says vaccines are effective at preventing the spread of numerous diseases, including measles, influenza, COVID-19 and Mpox, which are all circulating internationally.

Dr. Janice Fitzgerald stresses that travelling can increase a person’s risk of exposure, especially in areas where there are outbreaks.

For measles specifically, infants between six months to less than 12 months in age should receive one dose of the vaccine prior to travelling. Those children will still need additional doses at 12 and 18 months old.

People born in or after 1970 should have two doses prior to travelling, and those born before the 70s should have one dose.

For more information about the measles vaccine, people should contact their health care provider, local pharmacy, or local public health office.

To protect against COVID-19 and influenza, everyone over six months old is being encouraged to get the shot. For Mpox, people are asked to check the government website to determine eligibility for the vaccine.

Overall, Public Health wants everyone to review their vaccination history and contact their health care provider or Public Health office if they are unsure.