Is it okay for a 3-month-old infant who has received the first dose of vaccine to continue the vaccination schedule while on a 2-month vacation in another country?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Continuing Vaccination Schedule During International Travel for a 3-Month-Old Infant

Yes, it is absolutely safe and recommended to continue the routine vaccination schedule for this 3-month-old infant while traveling abroad for 2 months, with the critical caveat that you must also consider additional travel-specific vaccines based on the destination country's disease risks.

Core Principle: Continue Routine Immunizations on Schedule

  • The routine childhood vaccination schedule should proceed without delay regardless of travel status. 1 The vaccines due at 2,4, and 6 months protect against immediate risks and provide long-term immunity, and delaying them increases vulnerability to vaccine-preventable diseases.

  • Vaccines can be administered in any country with a functioning healthcare system. 2 While there are variations in national immunization schedules across countries, the core vaccines (DTaP, Hib, pneumococcal, polio, rotavirus, hepatitis B) are universally recommended with consistent dosing patterns in high-income countries.

  • The infant should receive their 4-month vaccines on time during the vacation. 1 At 4 months, the infant needs repeat doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, pneumococcal, rotavirus, polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines (but not hepatitis B).

Additional Travel-Specific Considerations

For Infants Under 6 Months Traveling Internationally

  • Immune globulin (IG) is the only option for hepatitis A protection in infants under 6 months. 3 If traveling to areas with high or intermediate hepatitis A endemicity, administer 0.2 mL/kg of IG for 2-month travel duration before departure.

  • Hepatitis A vaccine cannot be given until 6 months of age for travel purposes. 3 If the infant reaches 6 months during the vacation and is traveling to a hepatitis A endemic area, they can receive the hepatitis A vaccine at that time (though this dose will not count toward the routine 2-dose series starting at 12 months).

Meningococcal Vaccine Considerations

  • Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) may be indicated if traveling to the meningitis belt of sub-Saharan Africa during December-June or during outbreaks. 3 For infants 2-6 months at increased risk, MenACWY-CRM can be given as a 4-dose series at 2,4,6, and 12 months.

  • For infants 2-6 months traveling to endemic areas, MenACWY-CRM is the appropriate vaccine. 3, 4 The first dose can be given as early as 2 months if travel is imminent, with subsequent doses following the age-appropriate schedule.

Practical Implementation Algorithm

Before Departure:

  1. Identify the destination country and assess disease risks (hepatitis A endemicity, meningococcal disease zones, other endemic diseases). 3
  2. Administer IG (0.2 mL/kg) if traveling to hepatitis A endemic areas. 3
  3. Consider MenACWY-CRM if traveling to meningococcal endemic regions. 3, 4
  4. Ensure the infant is up-to-date with routine vaccines before departure. 1

During the 2-Month Vacation:

  1. Locate a reputable healthcare facility in the destination country for the 4-month vaccine visit. 2
  2. Bring vaccination records and ensure documentation of all vaccines administered abroad. 5
  3. Administer routine 4-month vaccines on schedule (DTaP, Hib, pneumococcal, polio, rotavirus). 1
  4. If the infant turns 6 months during travel and is in a hepatitis A endemic area, administer hepatitis A vaccine (remembering this dose doesn't count toward the routine series). 3

Upon Return:

  1. Continue the routine schedule without interruption. 1
  2. Provide documentation of vaccines received abroad to the primary care provider. 5
  3. Complete any travel-specific vaccine series as indicated (e.g., MenACWY boosters for high-risk infants). 3, 4

Critical Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Do not delay routine vaccines due to travel. 1 The 2-month and 4-month vaccines are timed to protect against immediate risks when maternal antibodies wane.

  • Do not confuse travel-dose hepatitis A vaccine (given at 6-11 months) with the routine series. 3 The travel dose must be repeated with a full 2-dose series starting at 12 months.

  • Do not assume all countries use identical vaccine products. 2 While schedules are similar, specific vaccine brands may differ; document exact products received.

  • Do not give MenACWY-D before pneumococcal conjugate vaccine completion in high-risk infants. 3, 4 This can cause immune interference; use MenACWY-CRM instead for infants under 2 years.

  • Remember that different meningococcal B vaccines (Bexsero, Trumenba) are not interchangeable and are not licensed for infants under 10 years in the US. 6, 5 These are not relevant for routine infant travel.

References

3
Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

4
Guideline

Meningococcal Vaccine A Dosing Schedule for Children

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

5
Guideline

Meningococcal Vaccine Administration Guidelines

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

6
Guideline

Bexsero Dosing for Infants Starting Before 6 Months of Age

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2026

Related Questions

What is the typical national immunisation schedule for individuals from infancy through adulthood?
What is the typical vaccine timeline for a newborn?
What vaccinations are recommended for a 6-week-old former preterm (premature) infant, born at 31 weeks gestation, with a history of brief oxygen supplementation via Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and nasal cannula, and phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia (jaundice)?
What is the recommended vaccination schedule for babies?
What are the next steps for a 6-week-old patient after receiving a previous report?
What is the proper dosing and administration of azithromycin (macrolide antibiotic) for a patient with an infection?
How do you interpret a positive Anti-HBe (Antibody to Hepatitis B e-antigen) result in a patient with a history of hepatitis B infection?
What is the best time of day to take azithromycin (Zithromax) for optimal absorption and minimal gastrointestinal side effects?
How do you prepare a norepinephrine drip for a patient?
What is the recommended dose of Rotarix (rotavirus vaccine) for an infant as per NHS (National Health Service) UK guidelines?
What is the recommended dose of 4CMENB (4-component meningococcal B vaccine) as per NHS UK guidelines for infants?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.

Ask Question