Visiting Friends and Relatives Abroad? Here’s Why Travel Health Should Be Your Priority

Rosemarie Cordeta
Jun 9
3 min read

The last time we visited the Philippines was for my son’s second birthday party at Jollibee—complete with spaghetti, party hats, and all the sweet, messy fun you’d expect. Even though he caught a stomach bug mid-trip, he pushed through like a little pro and had the time of his life.

That was over 13 years ago.

Like many Filipino-Canadians, I often dream about going back “home”—to hug family members I haven’t seen in years, laugh over merienda with childhood friends, and show my son where his roots began. And I know I’m not the only one. Whether you’re headed to Ghana, India, the Philippines, or anywhere else to see loved ones, you’re part of a large and growing group of Canadians called VFR travellers.

What Is a VFR Traveller?

“VFR” stands for Visiting Friends and Relatives. It includes:

Immigrants returning to their home country
Second-generation Canadians visiting extended family
Parents traveling with their children to introduce them to their roots

Unlike tourists, VFR travellers often stay longer, live in local homes, eat local food, and have more direct contact with communities. These heartfelt experiences are meaningful—but they also come with a higher risk of travel-related illness.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), more than 2 million Canadians travel abroad each year to visit friends and family—and this group experiences higher rates of illness than typical tourists.

Why Are VFR Travellers at Higher Risk?

Research shows that VFR travellers are more likely to contract:

Malaria
Typhoid
Hepatitis A and B
Tuberculosis
Parasitic infections

Why the higher risk?

Many feel they’re “going home” and skip travel health consultations.
They often stay in under-resourced or rural areas.
They may not be aware of current disease outbreaks.
Their immunity has changed after years of living in Canada.

Even if you were born in the country you’re visiting, your body may no longer be immune to local illnesses.

Before You Travel: A Friendly Checklist for Staying Safe

1. Book a Travel Health Consultation (6–8 weeks before departure)

Get personalized advice, vaccinations, and malaria prevention based on your destination.

2. Get the Right Vaccines

Depending on your travel plans, you may need:

Routine: MMR, tetanus, flu
Travel-specific: Typhoid, Hepatitis A/B, Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, Meningococcal vaccines

📌 Kids may need accelerated vaccine schedules.

3. Malaria Prevention

If you’re headed to a malaria-risk country:

Take antimalarial meds
Use DEET or icaridin repellent
Sleep under mosquito nets

4. Food & Water Safety

Drink bottled/boiled water
Avoid raw or undercooked foods
Say no to ice unless you’re sure it’s safe

🍴 Pro tip: Eat street food that’s hot and cooked in front of you.

5. Insect Protection

To avoid dengue, chikungunya, or Zika:

Wear long sleeves and pants
Stay in screened or air-conditioned accommodations
Use permethrin-treated clothing

6. TB Testing

If staying a month or more:

Consider a baseline TB test before departure
Get tested again after returning

Especially important for:

Children
Elderly relatives
Immunocompromised family members

7. Be Ready for Emergencies

Get travel health insurance
Know where the nearest hospital or clinic is
Pack a first aid kit and medications in original containers

Special Tips for Kids, Seniors, and Immunocompromised Travellers

Children are more vulnerable to severe infections
Seniors may need extra precautions for chronic conditions
Immunocompromised people should have a custom plan

Your local travel clinic can guide you with family-specific recommendations.

Visit Our Travel Clinic in Edmonton

At Whole Health Travel Clinic, located inside our pharmacy in Edmonton, we specialize in helping VFR travellers prepare for safe, healthy journeys.

Here’s why our patients trust us:

✅ No consultation fee ✅ No injection fee ✅ No certificate fee ✅ We vaccinate kids 2 years and older ✅ Designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre ✅ Easy online booking