IAMAT Membership
- How does IAMAT membership work?
- IAMAT membership entitles you to access our international network of qualified doctors and mental health practitioners committed to providing travellers the highest standards of medical care. As a member you pay our affiliated healthcare provider directly at the time of service based on the IAMAT set fee. Our practitioners are able to refer you to a specialist and report back to your own doctor if needed. They are vetted by us, an organization with over 50 years of experience in travel medicine.
As a public service, we also provide complete and up-to-date health information on vaccinations, disease risks and illnesses, and food and water safety precautions for all countries.
Learn more about OUR WORK
Learn more about MEMBER BENEFITS
- How much does IAMAT membership cost?
- There is no fee to join. Membership is valid for one year and renewable with a donation. Sign up online or contact us. Your contribution is tax deductible.
- How do I renew my IAMAT membership?
- You can renew membership online by entering your IAMAT membership number and postal / zip code or contact us. Annual renewal ensures that your member benefits (including access to our Medical Directory) are not interrupted.
- I am travelling with my partner and/or children, do they need to sign up for membership?
- Yes. IAMAT membership cards are issued to each traveller. Fill out the section in the Become a Member form with their first and last names. If you are joining by email, phone, or post, please make sure to give us their names.
- What amount should I donate to IAMAT?
- Any amount is appreciated. You can securely donate online or contact us. We accept VISA, MasterCard, and cheques. Your gift is tax deductible.
If your are donating by credit card, the transaction on your statement will either show as FSIMT (Foundation for the Support of International Medical Training, Inc.) or IAMAT (International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers).
- Is IAMAT a registered charity?
- Yes. We have charitable status in Canada and the USA. If you search for us on government or charity websites, we are also known as the Foundation for the Support of International Medical Training, Inc.
Canada: Business Number 11892 9231 RR0001
USA: 501(c)3 non-profit. E.I. Number 13-2613755
IAMAT is a Division of the FOUNDATION FOR THE SUPPORT OF INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL TRAINING, INC. (FSIMT).
IAMAT Organization
- Is IAMAT a travel health insurance company?
- No. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to travel health. We help you plan a healthy trip and put you in touch directly with our participating physicians and mental health practitioners around the world.
If you are looking for travel health insurance, you may already be covered under your employee benefits prgoram or credit card services. We suggest purchasing additional travel health insurance if you are concerned about major expenses such as emergency surgery, extended hospital stays or medical evacuation. Don't forget to read the fine print and make sure that you're covered for all your needs.
- Is IAMAT involved in medical tourism?
- IAMAT does not coordinate services for patients who choose to have elective healthcare procedures or surgeries done abroad. We provide travellers with detailed advice on preventing the spread of infectious diseases and staying healthy during their trip. If a IAMAT member becomes sick away from home, they have access to our affiliated doctors who provide emergency care or make referrals to a specialist.
- Are you funded by pharmaceutical or healthcare companies?
- No. Our revenue comes from voluntary contributions from our members which include individuals, businesses, organizations, and travel health clinics. This allows us to remain independent and provide impartial travel health information as well as recruit medical practitioners around the world without compromising medical ethics.
Travel Health, Vaccinations and Prevention
- What is travel health?
- Travel health is about awareness and prevention. There are three phases to consider: Pre-trip preparation, staying healthy during your trip, and post-trip follow-up. IAMAT specializes in providing pre-trip travel health advice and helps travellers access qualified medical care around the world, including in remote locations, during their trip.
Travel health is a relatively new field of medicine. In the past 15 years there have been major advancements in public education and medical practitioner knowledge of protecting travellers' health. IAMAT started working in this area in 1960 and continues to be a leader in this field.
- What vaccinations do I need?
- It depends. To get the proper vaccinations and advice, you need to determine the type of travel you're going to undertake, the geographic location of your destination, the duration of your trip, your medical history, and your current health status. IAMAT compiles and regularly reviews a comprehensive list of required and recommended immunizations for all countries.
- What are routine vaccinations?
- Routine immunizations are also known as childhood vaccinations. They include polio, measles, mumps, rubella, diphteria, pertussis and tetanus. We recommend that travellers have these immunizations updated before their trip. Routine boosters last 10 years while some childhood vaccinations protect you for life. If you don’t remember when you last got yours, we recommend getting them regardless.
- What are required and recommended vaccinations?
- Required vaccinations are necessary if you need proof of vaccination to enter a country. They are often required to protect the population of the host country you are visiting and to avoid the spread of infectious diseases in your home country.
Recommended vaccinations are suggested to protect the health of travellers during their trip and to prevent the spread of infectious diseases across borders.
- What are selective vaccinations?
- Selective vaccinations are suggested for people going on specific trips such as visiting rural areas, taking part in working assignments, or planning long-term travel, where they are at higher risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases than traditional travellers.
- How soon before I travel should I get vaccinated?
- We recommend getting immunized 6 to 8 weeks in advance. This allows your body to build antibodies (immunity) against infections. Some vaccines are given in two or three doses and you may have to visit a travel health clinic more than once.
- I just found out that I'm leaving on a trip in less than a week. Can I still get vaccinated in such short notice?
- Yes. However, this may cause severe soreness. We recommend being vaccinated in your home country since vaccines at your destination may not be suitable or safe.
- How much do travel vaccines cost?
- Travel health clinics set their own fees. They usually charge a consultation fee in addition to the price of each vaccine.
- Where can I find a list of travel health clinics nearby?
- USA: Travel Health Clinics
Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres
Canada: Travel Health Clinics
Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres
Check with your national public health agency for travel health clinic listings in other countries.
- Where can I find travel health advisories for my destination?
- World Health Organization
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Public Health Agency of Canada
- What is an endemic area?
- An endemic area is a region or country where an infection is continously transmitted within the population. It can be occurring at low, intermittent or high levels.
- What is an epidemic?
- An epidemic is a sudden outbreak of an infectious disease with a high morbidity (illness) and / or mortality rate.
More Questions?
If you could not find answers to your questions, please contact us.
