Laurie Carmichael

Retired teacher and ARTA member, Lina Kind, and her eldest daughter, Sydni, are taking a bucket-list trip to Nairobi, Kenya, in October 2026. It has been a lifelong dream of hers to travel to Africa, after family trips to Animal Kingdom in Disney World. Visits to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, far from satiating her desire, lit an even bigger fire for her to see the real-life version of a safari.

But planning the trip and booking the tickets was just the beginning of her journey. Before she leaves, she’ll have to ensure she’s taken adequate precautions to protect her health before and during her trip. That means medication assessments, vaccinations, and education to make sure she can spend the trip focusing on her love of animals rather than worrying about her health. For Lina, it meant booking a consultation at a Calgary travel clinic.

Before You Leave

While Lina scheduled her consultation prior to the opening of ARTARx Calgary, the new pharmacy location does have a travel specialist on on staff: pharmacy manager Mike Song. “For any travel, I usually recommend seeking advice at least a month before the trip,” he says. “If possible, go even earlier, but a month is the bare minimum to be able to do a proper evaluation.”

Lina’s consultation revealed she would be required to be immunized against yellow fever and would need to provide a Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis upon entry in Kenya.

“During my appointment, my travel vaccine requirements were assessed,” she says. “This included my age, medical history, prescription medications, and the type of travel. I learned that vaccines could vary depending on whether it is a leisure or resort-style trip or a backpacking excursion.”

Mike explains, “As a travel pharmacist, I want to know the itinerary. Are you eating street food? Are you doing any high-risk activities? Are you going just by yourself or with a tour? The more information you can provide, the better.”

Lina’s trip is a twelve-day guided tour with visits to elephant orphanages and a giraffe centre, a driving tour to see the northern white rhinos, nights spent “glamping,” and a walking safari on Crescent Island. While exciting, the level of risk of illness is much higher than a week on the beach!

When it comes to vaccination, timing plays a role. It’s better to be at home if you experience a reaction (fever, chills, GI upset) than to be in the middle of a busy airport. The traveller can always decline a recommended vaccine, but Mike advises against it. “You might feel sick for a few days now, but it’s a much better option than paying thousands of dollars to be even more sick at your dream destination.”

Lina’s consultation at the travel clinic verified that her routine adult immunizations were current and recommended she start anti-malarial drugs prior to her departure, though, of course, it was up to Lina to decide.

What to Take with You

Not all medications are treated the same around the world, and it’s always important to check that all your prescription medications are legal in the country you’re visiting (e.g., medical cannabis).

Here are a few valuable tips Lina learned about travelling with medications:

  • All medications must be stored in the original labelled package, including over-the-counter vitamins, supplements, painkillers, anti-nausea, and anti-diarrhea medications.
  • Put your medications in your carry-on luggage and place them in the overhead luggage compartments.
  • Ensure you have enough doses for your length of trip. Plan for extra doses in case of possible delays.
  • Carry a list of all your medications (including vitamins and supplements) in your wallet or purse. Because medications can be lost or stolen, it is recommended that you carry a copy of your original prescription that includes your name, prescriber, and name of medication.

First-Aid Kit and Other Safety Tips

  • Mosquitoes are most active at sunrise and sunset, so wear long pants, tucked-in long-sleeved shirts, hat, and apply an approved mosquito repellent. 
  • Pack a first-aid kit with adhesive bandages, alcohol hand wash, etc. Check out the following website for further information: travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/kit
  • When travelling to foreign countries like Kenya, using water purification tablets and purchasing a water filtration device for your water bottle is suggested. Information can be found at bit.ly/goc-water-filter. 
  • Bring an extra pair of prescription glasses in case of loss.
  • Taking a long flight? Do you have a history of heart disease, blood-clotting disorders, or circulatory problems? Consult your health-care provider, as prolonged immobility on airplanes can put you at risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis.

ARTARx offers medication reviews, convenient medication packaging, travel consultations, and vaccinations.

Don't remember which vaccines you've received or whether they're still effective? You can track your vaccine status using the MyHealthAlberta app.

All content is for general information only and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your health-care provider or any other health-care professional.

Laurie Carmichael is a retired nurse and author of books for adults and children.