While Europe is generally considered low-risk when it comes to health concerns – thanks to high standards of sanitation and universal healthcare – some highly contagious and potentially life-threatening diseases like measles and pertussis (whooping cough) continue to circulate. If you’re planning a trip to Europe, staying informed about current outbreaks and making sure you’re up to date on vaccinations can help protect your family, fellow travelers, and communities.

Routine Vaccines for Travel to Europe in 2025

Travel – especially through crowded airports, public transit, and tourist attractions – increases your exposure to infectious diseases. During Europe’s busy summer season, this risk is even greater. The CDC recommends the following routine vaccines for international travel to Europe:

• • Influenza (Flu) Vaccine: Recommended for everyone over 6 months of age. The 2024 – 25 flu season was one of the worst in recent years.    Although flu activity typically declines by spring in the Northern Hemisphere, a flu shot – lasting about six months – can help prevent illness while abroad.
  • COVID-19 Vaccine: COVID-19 remains the most common vaccine-preventable disease among travelers. Make sure you’ve received the latest vaccine formulation released in Fall 2024. Adults over age 65 should get a booster dose 6 months after their most recent one.

These vaccines are essential for everyone, but especially for travelers. Getting sick abroad can not only ruin your trip but also make it challenging to access care in a foreign country.

MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) Vaccine for Europe Travel

Measles: Highly Contagious and Still Common in Europe

Make sure you’re up to date on your MMR vaccine. Measles is one of the most contagious viruses and can be especially severe in children. Despite Europe’s overall strong healthcare systems, measles outbreaks remain frequent.

In 2024, WHO and UNICEF reported 127,350 measles cases across Europe – the highest since 1997. Over 40% of these cases were in children under 5, and more than half required hospitalization.

As of early 2025, active outbreaks have been reported in The Netherlands and Spain, with increased transmission in Northern Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Armenia, Romania, Scotland, and the UK (including England and Wales).  Check CDC travel health notices for current measles outbreaks.

Do Adults Need an MMR Vaccine?

Yes. All travelers over 12 months of age should have two documented doses of the MMR vaccine, given at least 28 days apart for lifetime protection. Adults born in the U.S. before 1957 are typically considered immune.

What if My Baby Is Too Young for a MMR Vaccine?

If you’re traveling with an infant aged 6–11 months, the CDC recommends an early MMR dose at least two weeks before departure.

Tdap Vaccine for Pertussis Outbreaks in Europe in 2025

Pertussis (whooping cough) is making a global comeback – including in many parts of Europe. The European CDC reported nearly 60,000 pertussis cases between 2023 and April 2024 – a tenfold increase from previous years. Infants under 6 months are especially vulnerable.

The UK alone saw over 13,000 cases and 10 infant deaths in early 2024. France is experiencing its worst outbreak in 25 years, and new cases are surging in Germany, Norway, Spain, and other countries.

Tdap Vaccine for Travelers

The Tdap vaccine (for adults and adolescents) and DTaP (for children under 7) protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Pregnant women in the U.S. routinely receive a Tdap booster during each pregnancy to protect their newborns.

If it’s been more than 5 years since your last Tdap vaccine, consider a booster – especially before international travel.

Hepatitis A Vaccine for Travel to Europe

Hepatitis A is a liver infection spread through contaminated food, water, or close contact. While more common in developing regions, several European countries – including Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, and Spain – have moderate hepatitis A risk.

Should I Get a Hepatitis A Vaccine for Europe?

Yes. The hepatitis A vaccine is highly effective, safe, and provides lifetime immunity. While it’s part of routine childhood immunization in the U.S., many adults remain unvaccinated. All international travelers should consider this vaccine, especially when visiting Southern or Eastern Europe.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) Vaccine for Outdoor Activities in Europe

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection transmitted by tick bites, affecting the brain and spinal cord. It’s a concern for travelers planning outdoor activities such as hiking or camping in forested areas of Central and Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and the Baltics.

The risk is highest during spring and summer. While tick-bite prevention is key, a TBE vaccine is available and recommended for certain travelers. Speak with your travel health provider to assess your risk.

Consult a Travel Health Specialist Before Traveling to Europe

Before your trip, check with your primary care provider or pediatrician to ensure your routine vaccines are current. TravelBug Health also carries these routine vaccines in stock. For personalized advice on additional travel vaccines – like hepatitis A or TBE – The CDC recommends a visit with a travel health specialist at least 6–8 weeks before departure.

By taking these preventive steps, you’ll be better prepared to explore Europe with confidence and peace of mind.

To learn more about vaccines for travel to Europe in 2025 or to book an appointment, visit www.travelbughealth.com.

The post Do I Need Vaccines to Travel to Europe in 2025? What You Should Know appeared first on TravelBug Health.

However, some very contagious and potentially life threatening diseases like measles and pertussis continue to circulate. If you are planning a trip to Europe, you should be aware of recent disease outbreaks and be properly vaccinated to protect yourself, your children, and your community.

Routine Vaccines to Travel to Europe in 2024

Travel increases your risk of many infectious diseases due to exposure to crowds and confined spaces on planes, trains, and public transit. Many of Europe’s cities and tourist hotspots become crowded during the busy summer season, making it even more important to stay up-to-date with routine vaccines.

CDC Recommendations for travel to Europe in 2024:

• Influenza (Flu) Vaccine: All persons over 6 months should receive an annual flu vaccine.
• COVID-19 Vaccine: Ensure you have the latest COVID-19 vaccine.

These vaccines are recommended for everyone, but are especially important when you are traveling, to avoid ruining your vacation with a preventable illness.

MMR (Mumps, Measles, and Rubella) Vaccine for Travel to Europe

Ensure you are up-to-date with your MMR vaccine. This vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Many European countries, including Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania, Russia, Albania, and Armenia, are currently experiencing measles outbreaks. To see more about Measles outbreaks, click here: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-globe.

Measles: Highly Contagious and Frequent in Europe

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases and can be particularly deadly for children. While it became rare in the US after the introduction of vaccines in the 1960s, outbreaks still occur when vaccination rates drop below a certain threshold. In the last five years, several measles outbreaks have occurred in the US, and they remain frequent in Europe.

Do Adults Need an MMR Vaccine?

Everyone requires two documented MMR vaccines for protection. For international travelers aged 12 months or older, it is recommended to receive two doses at least 28 days apart. Individuals born in the US before 1957 are considered immune to measles.

What if My Child is Too Young for the MMR Vaccine?

Infants do not receive their first scheduled MMR vaccine until 12 months of age. If you are traveling internationally with an infant aged 6–11 months, the US CDC recommends an accelerated dose of the MMR vaccine at least two weeks prior to travel.

Tdap Vaccine for Pertussis Outbreaks in Europe

Many European countries are experiencing an increase in pertussis (whooping cough), which tends to cycle every 3 to 5 years. The European CDC reported over 25,000 cases of pertussis in 2023, and more than 32,000 cases from January to March 2024. New outbreaks have developed in France, Germany and Norway, with ongoing outbreaks in countries like Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, and Spain.

Tdap Vaccine for Travel

The Tdap vaccine in adults and adolescents (DTaP in children under 7) protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Pertussis is highly contagious and can be fatal to small children. Women in the US receive an updated Tdap vaccine with every pregnancy.

Consider a Tdap Booster Every 5 Years

The pertussis component of the Tdap vaccine starts to lose effectiveness 2-3 years after administration. If it has been 5 years since your last Tdap vaccine, consider getting another one, especially when traveling overseas.

Risk of Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus and leads to inflammation of the liver. It is transmitted through contaminated food and water or direct contact with an infected person. While more prevalent in developing countries with poor sanitation, several European countries have moderate susceptibility, including Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, and Spain.

Hepatitis A Vaccine for Travel to Europe in 2024

An effective and safe vaccine is available to protect against hepatitis A. It is part of the routine immunization schedule for children in the US, but many adults lack immunity. All international travelers should receive the hepatitis A vaccine, which provides lifetime immunity.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) Vaccine for Europe and Asia

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection affecting the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), transmitted by infected ticks. Travelers are at risk if they engage in outdoor activities like hiking, especially in forested areas. Many European countries, from central Europe to the Baltics and Scandinavia, have conditions favorable for TBE. The risk is highest during the summer months but can be minimized with tick-bite precautions. An effective TBE vaccine is available. Find out from your travel health specialist if you’re at risk and need a vaccine.

Consult Your Travel Health Specialist for Travel to Europe in 2024

Before your trip, check with your pediatrician or primary care provider to ensure you are up-to-date with your routine vaccines. Visit a travel health specialist at least 6-8 weeks prior to travel to learn about specific disease risks in your destination countries and to determine which travel vaccines you need for protection. To learn more, visit https://www.travelbughealth.com/.

By taking these preventive measures, and asking yourself, “Do I Need any Vaccines to Travel to Europe in 2024?”, you can enjoy your European travels with peace of mind.

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