Travel Health & Safety
Remain healthy and safe during your time away
Our goal is to equip UCLA trainees and faculty/staff with information and tools to remain healthy and safe during their time away.
Orientation
Medical students traveling under GHP programs: Attendance at an in-person pre-departure orientation is mandatory.
For Global Health Pathway/Track residents and fellows: You will need to watch a health and safety video and complete a quiz prior to traveling. Proof of quiz completion must be sent to your pathway director(s).
For residents and fellows traveling outside of residency program Pathways or Tracks: You will need to watch a health and safety video and complete a quiz prior to traveling. Proof of quiz 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. It is recommended that you travel with your vaccine records, as some countries may require proof of vaccinations prior to entering, as well as 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. 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 details in your phone to easily access the information if needed.
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.
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. When you make an appointment, 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 that your travel prescriptions be filled at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center Basement Level Pharmacy.
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to or living in, a foreign country. STEP allows you to enter information about your upcoming trip abroad so that the State Department can better assist you in an emergency.
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 with a U.S. State Department Travel Advisory of Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) must complete an additional safety plan 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). Please see the Sample Emergency Evacuation Protocol below.