Greenland Travel Health Information

Read below for travel health advice on Greenland from the MDtravelhealth channel on Red Planet Travel.

Page Sections

1. Summary
2. Immunizations
3. Other Infections
4. Ambulance
5. General Advice
6. Medical Facilities
7. Travel with children
8. Maps
9. Embassy
10. Safety Information
11. Page Drop Box

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• Summary You can't Edit

  1

  Summary of recommendations

  In general, no special immunizations or medications are necessary for travel to Greenland.

  Vaccinations:

  Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)	Two doses recommended for all travelers born after 1956, if not previously given
  Hepatitis A	Recommended for all travelers
  Hepatitis B	Recommended for all travelers
  Tetanus-diphtheria	Revaccination recommended every 10 years
  Influenza	Recommended for all travelers from November through April

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  <p><strong>Summary of recommendations</strong></p> <p>In general, no special immunizations or medications are necessary for travel to Greenland.</p> <p>Vaccinations:</p> <table class="table table-striped table-hover table-bordered"> <tbody> <tr> <td>Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)</td> <td>Two doses recommended for all travelers born after 1956, if not previously given</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Hepatitis A</td> <td>Recommended for all travelers</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Hepatitis B</td> <td>Recommended for all travelers</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tetanus-diphtheria</td> <td>Revaccination recommended every 10 years</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Influenza</td> <td>Recommended for all travelers from November through April</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

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• Immunizations You can't Edit

  2

  Immunizations

  All children should be up-to-date on routine childhood immunizations, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, prior to international travel. The following are the recommended vaccinations for Greenland:

  Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all travelers. It should be given at least two weeks (preferably four weeks or more) before departure. A booster should be given 6-12 months later to confer long-term immunity. Two vaccines are currently available in the United States: VAQTA (Merck and Co., Inc.) (PDF) and Havrix (GlaxoSmithKline) (PDF). Both are well-tolerated. Side-effects, which are generally mild, may include soreness at the injection site, headache, and malaise.

  Travelers who require protection against hepatitis A and are less than two years old, are pregnant, or have less than two weeks before departure should receive a single intramuscular dose of gammaglobulin (see hepatitis A for dosage) instead of vaccine.

  Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all travelers if not previously vaccinated. Two vaccines are currently licensed in the United States: Recombivax HB (Merck and Co., Inc.) (PDF) and Engerix-B (GlaxoSmithKline) (PDF). A full series consists of three intramuscular doses given at 0, 1 and 6 months. Engerix-B is also approved for administration at 0, 1, 2, and 12 months, which may be appropriate for travelers departing in less than 6 months. Side-effects are generally mild and may include discomfort at the injection site and low-grade fever. Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) occur rarely.

  Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine: two doses are recommended (if not previously given) for all travelers born after 1956, unless blood tests show immunity. Many adults born after 1956 and before 1970 received only one vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella as children and should be given a second dose before travel. MMR vaccine should not be given to pregnant or severely immunocompromised individuals.

  Tetanus-diphtheria vaccine is recommended for all travelers who have not received a tetanus-diphtheria immunization within the last 10 years.

  Influenza vaccine is recommended for all travelers during flu season, which runs from November through April. Influenza vaccine may cause soreness at the injection site, low-grade fevers, malaise, and muscle aches. Severe reactions are rare. Influenza vaccine should not be given to pregnant women during the first trimester or those allergic to eggs.

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  <categorytext name="Immunizations"> <p> <strong>Immunizations</strong> </p> <p>All children should be up-to-date on routine childhood immunizations, as recommended by the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5751a5.htm">American Academy of Pediatrics</a>, prior to international travel. The following are the recommended vaccinations for Greenland: </p> <p> <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/hepatitis_a">Hepatitis A</a> vaccine is recommended for all travelers. It should be given at least <em>two weeks</em> (preferably <em>four weeks</em> or more) before departure. A booster should be given 6-12 months later to confer long-term immunity. Two vaccines are currently available in the United States: <a href="http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/v/vaqta/vaqta_pi.pdf">VAQTA (Merck and Co., Inc.) (PDF)</a> and <a href="http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_havrix.pdf">Havrix (GlaxoSmithKline) (PDF)</a>. Both are well-tolerated. Side-effects, which are generally mild, may include soreness at the injection site, headache, and malaise.</p> <p>Travelers who require protection against hepatitis A and are less than two years old, are pregnant, or have less than two weeks before departure should receive a single intramuscular dose of gammaglobulin (see <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/hepatitis_a">hepatitis A</a> for dosage) instead of vaccine.</p> <p> <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/hepatitis_b">Hepatitis B</a> vaccine is recommended for all travelers if not previously vaccinated. Two vaccines are currently licensed in the United States: <a href="http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/r/recombivax_hb/recombivax_pi.pdf">Recombivax HB (Merck and Co., Inc.) (PDF)</a> and <a href="http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_engerixb.pdf">Engerix-B (GlaxoSmithKline) (PDF)</a>. A full series consists of three intramuscular doses given at 0, 1 and 6 months. Engerix-B is also approved for administration at 0, 1, 2, and 12 months, which may be appropriate for travelers departing in less than 6 months. Side-effects are generally mild and may include discomfort at the injection site and low-grade fever. Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) occur rarely.</p> <p> <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/measles">Measles</a>-<a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/mumps">mumps</a>-<a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/rubella">rubella</a> vaccine: two doses are recommended (if not previously given) for all travelers born after 1956, unless blood tests show immunity. Many adults born after 1956 and before 1970 received only one vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella as children and should be given a second dose before travel. MMR vaccine should not be given to pregnant or severely immunocompromised individuals.</p> <p> <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/tetanus">Tetanus</a>-<a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/diphtheria">diphtheria</a> vaccine is recommended for all travelers who have not received a tetanus-diphtheria immunization within the last 10 years.</p> <p> <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/influenza">Influenza</a> vaccine is recommended for all travelers during flu season, which runs from November through April. Influenza vaccine may cause soreness at the injection site, low-grade fevers, malaise, and muscle aches. Severe reactions are rare. Influenza vaccine should not be given to pregnant women during the first trimester or those allergic to eggs.</p> </categorytext>

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• Other Infections You can't Edit

  3

  Other infections

  HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection is reported, but travelers are not at risk unless they have unprotected sexual contacts or receive injections or blood transfusions.
  
  

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  <categorytext name="OtherInfections"> <p> <strong>Other infections</strong> </p> <em>HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)</em> infection is reported, but travelers are not at risk unless they have unprotected sexual contacts or receive injections or blood transfusions.<br /><br /></categorytext>

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• Ambulance You can't Edit

  4

  Ambulance and Emergency Services

  For an ambulance in Greenland, contact local police.

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  <categorytext name="Ambulance"> <p> <strong>Ambulance and Emergency Services</strong> </p> <p>For an ambulance in Greenland, contact local police.</p> </categorytext>

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• General Advice You can't Edit

  5

  General advice

  Bring adequate supplies of all medications in their original containers, clearly labeled. Carry a signed, dated letter from your personal physician describing all medical conditions and listing all medications, including generic names. If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to carry a physician's letter documenting their medical necessity. Pack all medications in hand luggage. Carry a duplicate supply in the checked luggage. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring an extra pair. If you have significant allergies or chronic medical problems, wear a medical alert bracelet.

  Pack a personal medical kit, customized for your trip (see description). Take appropriate measures to prevent motion sickness and jet lag, discussed elsewhere. On long flights, be sure to walk around the cabin, contract your leg muscles periodically, and drink plenty of fluids to prevent blood clots in the legs. For those at high risk for blood clots, consider wearing compression stockings.

  Avoid contact with stray dogs and other animals. If an animal bites or scratches you, clean the wound with large amounts of soap and water and contact local health authorities immediately. Wear sun block regularly when needed. Use condoms for all sexual encounters. Ride only in motor vehicles with seat belts. Do not ride on motorcycles.

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  <categorytext name="GeneralAdvice"> <p> <strong>General advice</strong> </p> <p>Bring adequate supplies of all medications in their original containers, clearly labeled. Carry a signed, dated letter from your personal physician describing all medical conditions and listing all medications, including generic names. If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to carry a physician's letter documenting their medical necessity. Pack all medications in hand luggage. Carry a duplicate supply in the checked luggage. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring an extra pair. If you have significant allergies or chronic medical problems, wear a medical alert bracelet. </p> <p>Pack a personal <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/medical_kit">medical kit</a>, customized for your trip (see description). Take appropriate measures to prevent <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/motion_sickness">motion sickness</a> and <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/jet_lag">jet lag</a>, discussed elsewhere. On long flights, be sure to walk around the cabin, contract your leg muscles periodically, and drink plenty of fluids to prevent <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/deep_vein_thrombosis">blood clots</a> in the legs. For those at high risk for blood clots, consider wearing compression stockings.</p> <p> Avoid contact with stray dogs and other animals. If an animal bites or scratches you, clean the wound with large amounts of soap and water and contact local health authorities immediately. Wear sun block regularly when needed. Use condoms for all sexual encounters. Ride only in motor vehicles with seat belts. Do not ride on motorcycles. </p> </categorytext>

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• Medical Facilities You can't Edit

  6

  Medical facilities

  (reproduced from the U.S. State Dept. Consular Information Sheet)

  Excellent medical facilities are widely available in Denmark. In Greenland and the Faeroe Islands, medical facilities are limited and evacuation is required for serious illness or injury. Although emergency medical treatment is free of charge, the patient is charged for follow-up care.

  The Department strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

  When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the United States may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas health care provider or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

  Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Department's website at http://travel.state.gov.

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  <categorytext name="MedicalFacilities"> <p> <strong>Medical facilities</strong> </p> <p> (reproduced from the U.S. State Dept. Consular Information Sheet)</p> <p>Excellent medical facilities are widely available in Denmark. In Greenland and the Faeroe Islands, medical facilities are limited and evacuation is required for serious illness or injury. Although emergency medical treatment is free of charge, the patient is charged for follow-up care. </p> <p>The Department strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services such as medical evacuations. </p> <p>When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the United States may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas health care provider or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. </p> <p>Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure <em>Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad</em>, available via the Department's website at <a href="http://travel.state.gov"> http://travel.state.gov</a>.</p> </categorytext>

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• Travel with children You can't Edit

  7

  Traveling with children

  Before you leave, make sure you have the names and contact information for physicians, clinics, and hospitals where you can obtain emergency medical care if needed.

  All children should be up-to-date on routine childhood immunizations, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children who are 12 months or older should receive a total of 2 doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, separated by at least 28 days, before international travel. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 months should be given a single dose of measles vaccine. MMR vaccine may be given if measles vaccine is not available, though immunization against mumps and rubella is not necessary before age one unless visiting a country where an outbreak is in progress. Children less than one year of age may also need to receive other immunizations ahead of schedule (see the accelerated immunization schedule).

  Be sure to pack a medical kit when traveling with children. In addition to the items listed for adults, bring along plenty of disposable diapers, cream for diaper rash, and appropriate antibiotics for common childhood infections, such as middle ear infections.

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  <categorytext name="Travelwithchildren"> <p> <strong>Traveling with children</strong> </p> <p>Before you leave, make sure you have the names and contact information for physicians, clinics, and hospitals where you can obtain emergency medical care if needed.</p> <p>All children should be up-to-date on routine childhood immunizations, as recommended by the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5751a5.htm">American Academy of Pediatrics</a>. Children who are 12 months or older should receive a total of 2 doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, separated by at least 28 days, before international travel. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 months should be given a single dose of measles vaccine. MMR vaccine may be given if measles vaccine is not available, though immunization against mumps and rubella is not necessary before age one unless visiting a country where an outbreak is in progress. Children less than one year of age may also need to receive other immunizations ahead of schedule (see the accelerated immunization schedule). </p> <p>Be sure to pack a <a href="/mdtravelhealth/resource/medical_kit">medical kit</a> when traveling with children. In addition to the items listed for adults, bring along plenty of disposable diapers, cream for diaper rash, and appropriate antibiotics for common childhood infections, such as middle ear infections. </p> </categorytext>

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• Maps You can't Edit

  8

  Maps

  Helpful maps are available in the University of Texas Perry-Castaneda Map Collection and the United Nations map library. If you have the name of the town or city you'll be visiting and need to know which state or province it's in, you might find your answer in the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names.

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  <categorytext name="Maps"> <p> <strong>Maps</strong> </p> <p>Helpful maps are available in the <a href="http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/">University of Texas Perry-Castaneda Map Collection</a> and the <a href="http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/english/htmain.htm">United Nations</a> map library. If you have the name of the town or city you'll be visiting and need to know which state or province it's in, you might find your answer in the <a href="http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/tgn/index.html">Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names</a>.</p> </categorytext>

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• Embassy You can't Edit

  9

  Embassy/Consulate Location

  (reproduced from the U.S. State Dept. Consular Information Sheet)

  Americans living in or visiting Denmark are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen and obtain updated information on travel and security within Denmark. The U.S. Embassy is located at Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24; 2100 Copenhagen, Tel: (45) 35-55-31-44. Fax: (45) 35-43-02-23. After hours emergencies: Tel: (45) 35-55-92-70. Information is also available via the U.S. Embassy home page at http://www.usembassy.dk. The U.S. has no consular presence in Greenland.

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  <categorytext name="Embassy"> <p> <strong>Embassy/Consulate Location</strong> </p> <p> (reproduced from the U.S. State Dept. Consular Information Sheet)</p> <p>Americans living in or visiting Denmark are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen and obtain updated information on travel and security within Denmark. The U.S. Embassy is located at Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24; 2100 Copenhagen, Tel: (45) 35-55-31-44. Fax: (45) 35-43-02-23. After hours emergencies: Tel: (45) 35-55-92-70. Information is also available via the U.S. Embassy home page at http://www.usembassy.dk. The U.S. has no consular presence in Greenland.</p> </categorytext>

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• Safety Information You can't Edit

  10

  Safety information

  For information on safety and security, go to the U.S. Department of State, United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Foreign Affairs Canada, and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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  <categorytext name="SafetyInformation"> <p> <strong>Safety information</strong> </p> <p>For information on safety and security, go to the U.S. Department of State, United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, <a href="http://www.voyage.gc.ca/consular_home-en.asp">Foreign Affairs Canada</a>, and the <a href="http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/index.html">Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade</a>.</p> </categorytext>

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