Vaccines and medication during travel
Page last reviewed 30.8.2024
It’s a good idea to look up information about your travel destination well in advance. You should reserve sufficient time for getting any necessary vaccines and other preventive measures such as PrEP medication. You can get advice by contacting the Hivpoint sexual health specialists, your local health center, student or occupational healthcare, or a private clinic.
Vaccines to take before travelling
Hepatitis A and B vaccines
Men who have sex with men are entitled to free of charge vaccines for hepatitis A and B in Finland. In Finland, only a few sexually transmitted cases of hepatitis are diagnosed each year, but in popular travel destinations such as Berlin and Barcelona, there are significantly more cases.
Mpox vaccine (formerly known as monkeypox)
In May 2022, several mpox cases were diagnosed in Europe and North America. In 2022, a majority of the diagnosed cases were transmitted through sex. The cases were particularly prevalent among men who have sex with men. The number of new cases has decreased through vaccination, but new cases are still occurring.
Mpox vaccines are currently not being actively offered but they are still recommended for men who have sex with men. You can ask your wellbeing services county’s healthcare services for the information and availability of vaccines.
PrEP, PEP, HIV and other medication when travelling
PrEP
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a preventive HIV medication administered before exposure to HIV. It’s is intended for use by sexually active people to prevent HIV infections. When used correctly, PrEP is effective in preventing HIV infections.
You should consider PrEP medication if you intend to travel in areas with a high rate of HIV prevalence and you do not always use a condom when having sex. You can use the medication regularly or on-demand, such as for short periods of time when travelling. However, PrEP does not protect you from other sexually transmitted infections.
In some countries, such as Thailand, you can purchase PrEP at the travel destination. If you want to purchase PrEP medication at your travel destination, it’s a good idea to find out before the trip how you can do so, and how much the medication costs.
For matters related to PrEP medication, you can contact the Hivpoint specialists by email at: prep(at)hivpoint.fi
PrEP medication should never be used without a doctor’s supervision. Do not use other people’s PrEP or PEP medication when travelling, because you cannot be sure of what the medication contains and whether it is actually PrEP or PEP medication. However, if you decide to take the medication regardless, follow the medication’s guidelines and seek out laboratory and STI tests after your trip if you have had sex.
PEP
A doctor can prescribe PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) medication in exposure situations with an elevated risk of HIV infection. The medication reduces the risk of HIV infection if it is started as soon as possible, no later than within 72 hours of the exposure.
When travelling, you can get PEP medication with a doctor’s prescription from places such as private clinics. In some places, you can also contact HIV organisations for assistance. However, the practices vary between countries, so it is a good idea to find out how you can get PEP medication in advance.
If you have started PEP post-exposure medication or received treatment for a sexually transmitted infection during your trip, schedule follow-up testing for yourself after the trip according to the guidelines.
HIV medication
If you are taking HIV medication, remember to take sufficient medication with you when travelling. It’s a good idea to take more medication with you than you expect to need – such as two weeks of extra medication in case your return journey is delayed or something else unexpected happens. Interruptions in HIV medication or treatment are not recommended.
It is best to store your medication and prescriptions in their original packaging in your hand luggage.
Please note that some HIV medication will interact with antimalarial medications. You should take this into account when travelling to an area where malaria occurs. It’s a good idea to discuss this with your doctor.
For people who travel a lot, particularly to destinations with restricted travel for HIV-positive people, long-acting HIV medication can provide one option. It’s a good idea to discuss this with the doctor responsible for your treatment.
HIV infections do not particularly limit your possibilities for travel, but you should look for information about the matter before departing on a trip. Some countries still restrict the entry of HIV-positive people when travelling or staying for a longer period of time. For more information about travel restrictions, see HIVTravel.org and the Positiiviset ry HivFinland website (in Finnish).
Storing medication during travel
Medication should be stored carefully in its original packaging and kept in hand luggage, along with the prescriptions. This minimizes the risk of losing the medication. It is best to print copies of any electronic prescriptions in the Kanta.fi service.
If you have any medication you are taking regularly, it is best to compile a list of medications including any medication you are currently taking. Please note that the product names of medications will vary between countries, so it is good to know the active ingredients of medication in addition to its name.
During the trip, continue taking any medication prescribed to you according to your instructions.
What should I do if I run out of or lose my medication?
If you run out of or lose your medication during a trip, seek an appointment with a local doctor. For these situations, it is best to have a list of medications prepared including any medication you are taking. It is also important that the list notes the active ingredients of the medication, not just their product names.
If some of the medication is lost or your trip is extended and you expect to run out of medication, contact a local doctor or your point of care in Finland for instructions. Never adjust the dosage of your medication by yourself or use medication prescribed for other people.