Illness name: travel vaccinations
Description:
If you're planning to travel outside the UK, you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world.
Vaccinations are available to protect you against infections such as
yellow fever
,
typhoid
and
hepatitis A
.
In the UK, the
NHS routine immunisation (vaccination) schedule
protects you against a number of diseases, but does not cover all of the infectious diseases found overseas.
If possible, see the GP or a private travel clinic at least 6 to 8 weeks before you're due to travel.
Some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity.
And some vaccines involve a number of doses spread over several weeks or months.
You may be more at risk of some diseases, for example, if you're:
If you have a pre-existing health problem, this may make you more at risk of infection or complications from a travel-related illness.
You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you'll be visiting on these websites:
Some countries require proof of vaccination (for example, for polio or yellow fever vaccination), which must be documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) before you enter or when you leave a country.
Saudi Arabia requires proof of vaccination against certain types of
meningitis
for visitors arriving for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
Even if an ICVP is not required, it's still a good idea to take a record of the vaccinations you have had with you.
Find out more about the vaccines available for travellers abroad
You may need COVID-19 vaccinations to travel abroad.
Check the
foreign travel advice on GOV.UK
to find out the entry requirements of the country you're visiting.
Find out more about the NHS COVID Pass for travel.
First, phone or visit the GP practice or practice nurse to find out whether your existing UK vaccinations are up-to-date.
If you have any records of your vaccinations, let the GP know what you have had previously.
The GP or practice nurse may be able to give you general advice about travel vaccinations and travel health, such as protecting yourself from malaria.
They can give you any missing doses of your UK vaccines if you need them.
Not all travel vaccinations are available free on the NHS, even if they're recommended for travel to a certain area.
If the GP practice can give you the travel vaccines you need but they are not available on the NHS, ask for:
You can also get travel vaccines from:
The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS if your GP practice is signed up to provide vaccination (immunisation) services.
These vaccines are free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country.
You'll have to pay for travel vaccinations against:
Yellow fever vaccines are only available from
designated centres
.
The cost of travel vaccines that are not available on the NHS will vary, depending on the vaccine and number of doses you need.
It's worth considering this when budgeting for your trip.
There are other things to consider when planning your travel vaccinations, including:
If you're only travelling to countries in northern and central Europe, North America or Australia, you're unlikely to need any vaccinations.
But it's important to check that you're up-to-date with routine vaccinations available on the NHS.
Speak to a GP before having any vaccinations if:
In many cases, it's unlikely a vaccine given while you're pregnant or breastfeeding will cause problems for the baby.
But the GP will be able to give you further advice about this.
For some people travelling overseas, vaccination against certain diseases may not be advised.
This may be the case if:
A GP can give you further advice about this.
As well as getting any travel vaccinations you need, it's also a good opportunity to make sure your other UK vaccinations are up-to-date and have booster vaccines if necessary.
If you have any records of your vaccinations, let the GP know what you have had previously.
People in certain risk groups may be offered extra vaccines.
These include vaccinations against diseases such as:
Read more information on
NHS vaccines
for adults and children to find out whether you should have any.
Page last reviewed: 16 March 2023
Overview
-
Travel vaccinations
When should I start thinking about the vaccines I need?
Which travel vaccines do I need?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination
Where do I get my travel vaccines?
Which travel vaccines are free?
Which travel vaccines will I have to pay for?
Other things to consider
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
People with immune deficiencies
Non-travel vaccines
Next review due: 16 March 2026