For many travellers, stepping into an air-conditioned airport, hotel room, or restaurant feels like pure relief after a sweltering day outside. But can that cool air actually make you sick?
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At Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic, we know that good travel medicine is not one-size-fits-all. That’s why we provide comprehensive, evidence-based travel consults tailored to you—your itinerary, your health status, and your destination-specific risks.
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has confirmed the first positive mosquito pool for West Nile virus (WNV) this year. While no human cases have been reported in Ottawa so far, the detection serves as a reminder: mosquito season is not over until the first hard frost.
At Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic, we know many of our clients love poolside vacations — whether at sunny resorts, lakeside cottages, or family backyard pools. But relaxing by the water comes with serious safety responsibilities, especially when children are involved.
The Lifesaving Society is warning parents and caregivers to keep their phones out of their hands when supervising kids around water. Their message is urgent: there’s been a spike in drowning deaths this year, particularly in Ontario and Quebec.
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As more Canadians explore our beautiful country this summer, many are encountering an unexpected travel hazard—wildfire smoke and extreme heat. Here at Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic, we care deeply about your health, whether you’re exploring BC’s forests, camping in Northern Ontario, or road-tripping across the Prairies.
With smoke drifting across provinces and Toronto recently ranking among the most polluted major cities in the world due to poor air quality, it’s critical to know the risks—especially if you or a loved one is vulnerable.
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As World Hepatitis Day (July 28) approaches, it’s a good time to clear up common misconceptions about hepatitis—and to highlight how travellers can protect themselves before heading abroad. At Destinations Travel & Immunization Clinic, we often see individuals unaware of the risks hepatitis poses during international travel, particularly in regions where sanitation and water quality may be compromised.
As temperatures rise and outdoor activities increase, clinics across Canada—including ours at Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic—see an uptick in animal bite-related visits. Whether it’s a nip from the family cat or a run-in with a stray dog, animal bites are more than just painful—they can carry serious infection risks, and in rare cases, the threat of rabies.
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As COVID-19 continues to evolve, new variants like XBB and JN.1 have become dominant. Vaccines must adapt—and so should we. At Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic, we help ensure travelers stay protected not just from jet lag and routine risks, but also from viruses that are very much still with us.
A recent U.S. study evaluated how effective the 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccines (monovalent XBB.1.5) were in preventing serious illness and medical visits. The study involved hundreds of thousands of adult patients from urgent care centers, emergency departments, and hospitals.
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As international travel surges back to pre-pandemic levels, protecting your health while abroad has never been more important. During the winter of 2024–2025 alone, more than 17 million Canadians ventured overseas. While reconnecting with the world is exciting, it also brings increased exposure to infectious diseases—many of which are entirely preventable with proper preparation.
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At Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic, we often hear a common concern from thoughtful, caring parents: “Are children getting too many vaccines, too quickly?” It’s a fair question. In 1986, a child would receive 11 vaccine doses by age 18. Today, it’s 50 to 54 doses, depending on the child’s age, vaccine schedule, and flu shot timing. But here’s what most people (and even many health professionals) don’t realize:
Today’s vaccines actually expose your child’s immune system to far fewer antigens than vaccines did in the past.
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This Canada Day, Destinations Travel & Immunization Clinic salutes the remarkable Canadians whose groundbreaking work in vaccines, tropical medicine, public health, and epidemiology has saved countless lives—at home and around the globe. Their legacies inspire our own commitment to keeping you safe and healthy whenever you travel.
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