World Immunization Week: Your Passport to a Safe Summer

April 27, 2026

World Immunization Week (April 24–30) serves as a vital reminder that vaccines are the foundation of global health, allowing us to explore the world with confidence. As summer vacation planning begins, ensuring your health records are in order is just as important as booking your flight.

The Essential “Yellow Card”

For those traveling overseas, the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis is a critical travel companion. Approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), this document, frequently called the “Yellow Card,” acts as an official medical passport. It provides verified proof of the immunizations required for entry into various countries, ensuring you meet international health regulations at every border.

Preparing for Your Journey

Don’t let preventable illnesses or paperwork delays interrupt your seasonal adventures.

  • Check Requirements: Vaccination needs vary significantly by destination.
  • Order Your Copy: The official certificate is now available through the GPO online bookstore.
  • Stay Current: Schedule any necessary shots well in advance of your departure date.

Celebrate World Immunization Week by protecting yourself and the communities you visit. With an updated certificate in hand, you can focus on making memories while staying travel-ready and globe safe.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From the US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger Trudy Hawkins is the Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office, supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

Leave a Comment » | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Consumers, Family, health, Health care, NIH, Travel and Tourism | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Safe Travels

March 30, 2023

As COVID-19 restrictions have drastically relaxed since being officially declared a global pandemic three years ago, more and more Americans may decide to travel abroad.

However, if you plan to travel overseas, besides receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, your destination could require traditional immunization before your arrival. You’ll need to obtain and fill out the International Certificate of Vaccination from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, also known as the “Yellow Card,” is designed to support infectious disease control world-wide. And with global travel expanding as some nations have eased restrictions, the health and safety of Americans is now important than ever.

Prior to booking your trip, you must visit a healthcare provider and receive required vaccinations that will vary depending on your destination. The attending doctor must list vaccinations given on the form per the instructions, then sign and date in order for the Certificate of Vaccination to be valid. Every traveler must keep the “Yellow Card” on their person while traveling as it serves as a medical passport and proof of vaccination.

Medical providers, state health agencies, travel agents, as well as churches and community services, may want to obtain these handy and universally accepted immunization forms that are needed to go outside the country.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.

Images and additional content provided by Government Book Talk Editor Trudy Hawkins. Trudy is the Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

Leave a Comment » | Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Consumers, health | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins