The preventative measures you need to take while traveling in Western Europe depend on the area you visit and the length of time you stay. For most areas of Italy, you should observe health precautions similar to those that would apply while traveling in the United States. See your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect. 

The CDC recommends the following vaccines (as appropriate for age, go to www.cdc.gov for more information):

• Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin (IG): You are not at increased risk in Northern and Western Europe, but there’s some risk in Southern Europe and the countries bordering the Mediterranean as well as Portugal
• Hepatitis B: If you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), stay longer than six months in southern Europe, or be exposed through medical treatment.
• Tetanus-Diphtheria booster: This requires a series of 4 shots for a complete, 10-year coverage. The intervals between shots must be a minimum of 4 weeks between the 1^st and 2^nd vaccines, and a minimum between the 2^nd and 3^rd. The 4^th shot should be taken in no less than 6 months after the 3^rd.
• Typhoid: two shots taken 4 weeks apart, or the new oral vaccine consisting of 4 doses of one capsule each. Must have a two-day period between doses.