What Vaccinations Do I Need for a Trip to the U.S.?

June 3, 2025, 3:28 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

The United States is one of the most popular long-haul travel destinations in the world. Whether it’s a city trip to New York, a road trip along the West Coast, or a beach vacation in Florida, the U.S. offers an incredible variety. Even though the healthcare system is well-developed, travelers should carefully review their vaccination protection. TRAVELBOOK provides an overview of which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the U.S.

While no vaccinations are legally required for entry into the U.S., health authorities strongly recommend updating or obtaining certain vaccinations. This currently includes measles, which is on the rise in many countries worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently advises that all travelers be fully vaccinated against measles. “Anyone who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons should consult their doctor and possibly postpone travel,” warns the CDC on its website.

Hepatitis A and diseases transmitted by mosquitoes or ticks, such as West Nile fever or Lyme disease, are also concerns in certain regions of the U.S. For longer stays or close contact with animals, additional vaccinations may be advisable. Therefore, individual travel medical advice is essential. Here you will find out which vaccinations are recommended for a trip to the U.S.

Overview

Which Vaccinations Are Mandatory for the U.S.?
Recommended Vaccinations for the U.S.
- For Travelers in General
- For Travelers with Specific Risks
Is There an Increased Risk of Infection in the U.S. for Diseases Without Vaccination?

Which Vaccinations Are Mandatory for the U.S.?

Currently, no mandatory vaccinations are required for direct entry from Germany to the U.S., regardless of the purpose of travel or length of stay. This also applies to stopovers in third countries, provided no yellow fever areas are involved. However, travelers should be aware that despite its high medical standards, the U.S. has some infectious diseases for which vaccination is recommended. Additionally, certain activities or types of travel–such as long-term stays or close contact with animals–may increase the risk of infection. Therefore, early individual vaccination advice is advisable before departure.

Recommended Vaccinations for the U.S.

For Travelers in General

Hepatitis A
Standard vaccinations according to STIKO, especially measles, tetanus, diphtheria

For Travelers with Specific Risks

Hepatitis B (for close social contacts or long-term stays)
Rabies (for direct animal contact, especially with wild animals or bats)
Meningococcal ACWY (based on individual indication)
Dengue fever (when staying in affected areas such as Puerto Rico or the southern states)

Overview What Vaccinations Do I Need for a Trip to Morocco?

Overview What Vaccinations Do I Need for a Trip to Namibia?

Overview More and more Mpox cases – how travelers can protect themselves

Is There an Increased Risk of Infection in the U.S. for Diseases Without Vaccination?

Yes. There is an increased risk in the U.S. for certain infectious diseases for which no vaccination is available. These include:

Intestinal infections due to poor hygiene
Lyme disease (especially in northeastern and northern states, from April to September)
St. Louis encephalitis (fall)
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (from April to September)
West Nile fever (especially in eastern states like New York, Florida, or Georgia)

Sources

Federal Foreign Office: Travel and Safety Information USA
Tropeninstitut.de: Your Destination: USA

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TRAVELBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@travelbook.de.