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Missionary Immunization Requirements

Missionaries are not tourists, and they often serve in remote or rural areas in close contact with local residents for extended periods of time. Certain immunization requirements for missionary service may be more stringent than those normally recommended for international travel. If you have questions, contact your missionary representative or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travelers' Health website for more information.

Be aware that some countries require that you receive certain immunizations before entering the country. Some immunizations require multiple doses or a series of vaccinations over a course of several months to provide maximum protection. You should allow sufficient time to complete the required series of immunizations before leaving for your mission.

Immunizations Required For All Missionaries Before Entering the Missionary Training Center

Required Immunizations
Recommended Immunizations

Immunizations Required For All Missionaries Before Entering an Missionary Training Center (MTC)

ALL Countries: Each prospective missionary should have completed, if possible, the following basic immunizations before entering an MTC:

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis series in childhood; Tdap or Td booster doses within five years.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella: MMR is not required for those born before 1957.
Hepatitis A and B: Those from developing countries may not need Hepatitis A vaccine.

Should these basic immunizations not be available in a missionary’s home country, they will be given during the MTC training, for which service an appropriate fee may be charged. Immunizations may be obtained from your private physician or your local health department. Exceptions to these requirements may be allowed for valid medical reasons, but may result in a change of assignment. Depending on your destination and/or risk factors, you will be advised if other vaccinations are required.

For more information, contact the Missionary Training Center at 801-378-3769.

Required Immunizations

The only vaccine required by International Health Regulations is yellow fever vaccination for travel to certain countries in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America. Meningococcal vaccination is required by the government of Saudi Arabia for annual travel during the Hajj. For information on the specific countries that require the yellow fever and meningococcal vaccines, visit the Traveler's Health website.

Recommended Immunizations

These immunizations are recommended for missionaries, but not required:

Influenza: During the flu season, missionaries should be vaccinated to prevent influenza epidemics in MTC dormitories. This vaccine should be given one to two weeks before entering the MTC during October through March in the northern hemisphere, and during April through September in the southern hemisphere.
Meningitis: All young adult missionaries should receive meningococcal meningitis vaccine. In some areas this vaccine is required – see the following table.
Pneumonia: Senior missionaries age 65 and older; those with chronic heart or lung disease, diabetes, sickle cell disease, or other immune challenged conditions should receive this vaccine.
Chickenpox: If a missionary has no history of the disease, two doses of the chickenpox vaccine separated one month apart is advised.

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