Iceland Travel Health Information

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

Page Sections

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

  Vaccinations:

  Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)	Two doses recommended for all travelers born after 1956, if not previously given
  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 Iceland.</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>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 Iceland:

  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 Iceland: </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.

  For detailed statistics regarding many infectious diseases, go to EpiNorth (click on EpiData from the menu on the left).

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  <categorytext name="OtherInfections"> <p> <strong>Other infections</strong> </p> <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.</p> <p>For detailed statistics regarding many infectious diseases, go to <a href="http://www.epinorth.org/">EpiNorth</a> (click on EpiData from the menu on the left).</p> </categorytext>

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• General Advice You can't Edit

  4

  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.

  Make sure your health insurance covers you for medical expenses abroad. If not, supplemental insurance for overseas coverage, including possible evacuation, should be seriously considered. If illness occurs while abroad, medical expenses including evacuation may run to tens of thousands of dollars. For a list of travel insurance and air ambulance companies, go to Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad on the U.S. State Department website. Bring your insurance card, claim forms, and any other relevant insurance documents. Before departure, determine whether your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures. The Medicare and Medicaid programs do not pay for medical services outside the United States.

  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>Make sure your health insurance covers you for medical expenses abroad. If not, supplemental insurance for overseas coverage, including possible evacuation, should be seriously considered. If illness occurs while abroad, medical expenses including evacuation may run to tens of thousands of dollars. For a list of travel insurance and air ambulance companies, go to Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad on the U.S. State Department website. Bring your insurance card, claim forms, and any other relevant insurance documents. Before departure, determine whether your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures. The Medicare and Medicaid programs do not pay for medical services outside the United States.</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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• Ambulance You can't Edit

  5

  Ambulance and Emergency Services

  For emergency medical assistance anywhere in Iceland, call 112.

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  <categorytext name="Ambulance"> <p> <strong>Ambulance and Emergency Services</strong> </p> <p>For emergency medical assistance anywhere in Iceland, call <strong>112</strong>.</p> </categorytext>

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• Medical Facilities You can't Edit

  6

  Medical facilities

  High quality medical care is widely available. For non-emergency medical assistance in the Reykjavik metropolitan area, call 544-4114 during business hours and 1770 outside of normal business hours. The nurse who answers will either offer advice on handling the problem, suggest that the patient come to an after-hours clinic, or send a physician to make a house call. Alternatively, you can go to the emergency room at Landspítali Háskólasjúkrahús Hospital located in Fossvogur, open 24 hours a day (tel. 525-1700). For after-hours dental care, call 575-0505. For additional information on medical facilities in Iceland, go to the U.S. Embassy website at http://iceland.usembassy.gov/genmed.html.

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  <categorytext name="MedicalFacilities"> <p> <strong>Medical facilities</strong> </p> <p>High quality medical care is widely available. For non-emergency medical assistance in the Reykjavik metropolitan area, call 544-4114 during business hours and 1770 outside of normal business hours. The nurse who answers will either offer advice on handling the problem, suggest that the patient come to an after-hours clinic, or send a physician to make a house call. Alternatively, you can go to the emergency room at Landspítali Háskólasjúkrahús Hospital located in Fossvogur, open 24 hours a day (tel. 525-1700). For after-hours dental care, call 575-0505. For additional information on medical facilities in Iceland, go to the U.S. Embassy website at http://iceland.usembassy.gov/genmed.html. </p> </categorytext>

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• Pharmacies You can't Edit

  7

  Pharmacies

  There are two pharmacies (apotek) in Reykjavik open each day from 8 AM until midnight: Lyf og heilsa, Haaleitisbraut 68 (tel. 581-2101) and Lyfja, Lagmuli 5, 108 Reykjavik (tel. 533-2300).

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  <categorytext name="Pharmacies"> <p> <strong>Pharmacies</strong> </p> <p>There are two pharmacies (apotek) in Reykjavik open each day from 8 AM until midnight: Lyf og heilsa, Haaleitisbraut 68 (tel. 581-2101) and Lyfja, Lagmuli 5, 108 Reykjavik (tel. 533-2300). </p> </categorytext>

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• Travel with children You can't Edit

  8

  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.

  Revisions

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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

  9

  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

  10

  Embassy/Consulate Location

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

  Americans living in or visiting Iceland are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Reykjavik and obtain updated information on travel and security within Iceland. The U.S. Embassy is located at Laufasvegur 21, tel. +354-562-9100; fax +354-562-9110. Information about consular services can be found in the Consular Section of the Embassy home page at http://www.usa.is.

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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 Iceland are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Reykjavik and obtain updated information on travel and security within Iceland. The U.S. Embassy is located at Laufasvegur 21, tel. +354-562-9100; fax +354-562-9110. Information about consular services can be found in the Consular Section of <a href="http://www.usa.is">the Embassy home page</a> at http://www.usa.is.</p> </categorytext>

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• Safety Information You can't Edit

  11

  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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