Travel Health & Safety
Remain healthy and safe during your time away
Our goal is to empower all individuals traveling to do global health work on behalf of UCLA with information and tools to remain healthy and safe during their time away. For students traveling under our programs, attendance at an in-person pre-departure orientation program is mandatory.
Orientation
For students and post-graduate trainees who do not have access to or are unable to attend an in-person pre-departure orientation (i.e. if you have filled out a special elective form for your elective experience), you will need to watch a health and safety video and complete a quiz.
For Global Health Pathway/Track residents and fellows, proof of quiz completion must be sent to your pathway director(s). For residents and fellows traveling outside of residency program Pathways or Tracks, proof of completion must be sent to GMEGlobalHealthApp@mednet.ucla.edu.
Pre-Travel Consultation and Health Coverage
All travelers should seek appropriate pre-travel consultation with a specialized travel health provider. If your travel plans will take you to more than one country during a single trip, be sure to let your travel provider know so that you can receive the appropriate vaccinations and information for all of your destinations. It is recommended that you travel with your vaccine records, as some countries may require proof of vaccinations prior to entering. It is also recommended that you travel with a health record documenting any medical problems, allergies, and chronic medications.
UCLA DGSOM trainees, staff, and faculty who may require consultation on HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) during international travel, please find information on our Post-Exposure Prophylaxis webpage.
UC Traveler Security and Health Coverage Benefits
The University of California has arranged for students and employees traveling on official University business to be covered for a variety of accidents and incidents while away from campus or the primary workplace. All UCLA trainees (medical students, residents, and fellows) and faculty/staff are eligible for UCLA Travel Security and Health Coverage Benefits and are required to register for coverage prior to departure. If you purchase air travel through UCLA Travel, you will be automatically enrolled in the program and should receive an email with the program information and your insurance card. Be sure to keep the card with you or enter the phone number and policy number in your phone so you can easily access the information if needed during travel.
Please note, if you do not purchase your air travel through UCLA Travel or do not receive insurance information after a ticket has been purchased, you can do so at this link: REGISTER FOR YOUR TRIP and create a personal profile. A link to iJet/Worldcue Traveler will be emailed after this registration process is complete and will include an insurance card. More information can be found at UCOP Risk Management.
Up-to-date information about travel health, including recommended vaccines, diseases related to travel, and health resources can be found on the CDC Travelers' Health website.
If you are a UCLA medical student and have UC SHIP insurance, contact the UCLA Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center. Appointments can be made online or by calling 310-825-4073.
If you are a UCLA faculty, staff, resident, or fellow traveling outside the country (for UCLA purposes), you may receive pre-travel care using UCLA Occupational Health Services. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 310-825-6771. The office is located in the Center for Health Sciences building, room 67-120 (10833 Le Conte Ave). Notify the clinic that you are a UCLA employee or trainee, and this is work or study-related travel. To ensure UCLA covers the cost of your medications, it is recommended to have your travel prescriptions filled at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center Basement Level Pharmacy.
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
Register your trip
Countries with Travel Advisories
Travel to countries with a U.S. State Department Level 4 warning (Do Not Travel) is not allowed. Trainees who wish to participate in an elective that involves travel to a country that has a U.S. State Department Travel Advisory of Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) must complete an additional safety plan (see Sample Emergency Evacuation Protocol link below) and seek additional approval to participate from the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education (for residents and fellows) or the Associate Dean for Student Affairs (for medical students).
In order to receive Travel Alerts and updated Travel Advisories, please enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
To locate the current Travel Advisory Level of a country, please visit the U.S. State Department website. Please also obtain a detailed security report from WorldCue/iJET.