Ultimate guide to travel vaccinations
- What is a vaccine?
- When should I get my travel injections?
- What vaccinations do I need?
- Where to get travel vaccines?
- How much are travel vaccinations?
- Will my travel insurance cover me if I fall ill and haven’t had the relevant vaccine?
- Travel vaccinations by country
- What vaccinations do I need for India?
- Do I need vaccinations for Mexico?
- What jabs do I need for Thailand?
- What vaccinations do I need for Vietnam?
- Do you need injections for Egypt?
- What vaccinations do I need for South Africa?
- Do you need vaccinations for Cuba?
- What vaccinations do I need for China?
- Do I need vaccinations for Japan?
- Travel vaccinations by disease
- Cholera
- Diphtheria
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Japanese encephalitis
- Meningococcal meningitis
- Polio
- Rabies
- Tetanus
- Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Typhoid
- Yellow Fever
What is a vaccine?
A vaccine is a substance which makes the body produce antibodies against a certain illness or disease.
It might be made from a small dose of the disease or a synthetic version. It’s designed to make your body have an immune response without causing symptoms.
Some of routine vaccinations given in the UK are:
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- A six-in-one vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) and hepatitis B
- MenACWY vaccine, which protects against meningitis caused by meningococcal types A, C, W and Y bacteria
- BCG vaccination against tuberculosis
These routine vaccinations don’t protect you from overseas diseases– some of which can be very dangerous. For this reason, it’s important to check what vaccinations you may need for the country you’re going to.
You may be more at risk of developing illnesses if you’re:
- travelling in rural areas
- backpacking
- camping or staying in hostels
If you have a pre-existing health condition, you could be at greater risk of infection or complications from any diseases you get when travelling.
Before having any vaccinations, make sure your GP is aware if you:
- are pregnant or think you might be pregnant
- are breastfeeding
- have an immune deficiency
- have any allergies
When should I get my travel injections?
Ideally, you should make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic at least eight weeks before you travel.
Some vaccinations need multiple doses, and your body needs to develop immunity.
What vaccinations do I need?
We’ve outlined below some of the common countries people travel to and the vaccinations you need for each one. We’ve also looked at the diseases one by one and the countries and areas you’re most likely to find them.
For a full list of countries and the vaccinations you need for each, check out:
Where to get travel vaccines?
Before booking an appointment, you should call or visit your doctor’s surgery to check if you’re up to date with your routine vaccinations.
If you have records of previous vaccinations for travelling abroad, let your doctor know.
The next step is to find out if your GP is signed up to offer free NHS travel vaccinations; some vaccines aren’t free and available on the NHS.
If they are, you should make an appointment. If they aren’t, you could try a private clinic or a pharmacy offering travel healthcare services.
How much are travel vaccinations?
The amount your travel vaccinations cost depends on which country you’re travelling to and the diseases you need vaccination against. Some are freely available on the NHS, whereas others have a cost.
If your vaccinations aren’t available on the NHS, ask your doctor for the following details:
- written information on the necessary vaccines
- how much the dose or course costs
- any other charges, such as for a certificate of vaccination
Free travel vaccinations available on the NHS include:
- Polio (given as a combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio jab)
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis A
- Cholera
These diseases are vaccinated against for free as they’re the riskiest to public health if they’re brought into the country.
Vaccinations you’ll need to pay for include:
- Hepatitis B
- Japanese encephalitis
- Meningitis
- Rabies
- Tick-borne encephalitis
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Yellow fever – only available from specific Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres (YFVCs)
Will my travel insurance cover me if I fall ill and haven’t had the relevant vaccine?
If the vaccination would have prevented an illness you get abroad, you won’t be covered by travel insurance.
It’s important to follow the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s and your doctor’s advice.
This includes getting all recommended vaccinations and inoculations and taking enough of your prescription medication with you to cover the time you’re away.
Travel vaccinations by country
There are many countries where you’re recommended to have certain vaccinations before travelling.
We’ve listed some of the countries most asked about below. You can check what vaccinations you need for a particular country by checking NHS Fit for Travel but be sure to get advice from a medical professional if you’re unsure.
With all the countries listed below, check that your routine vaccinations recommended for daily life in Britain are up to date.
What vaccinations do I need for India?
Vaccines usually recommended:
- Diphtheria
- Hepatitis A
- Tetanus
- Typhoid
Other vaccines to consider:
- Hepatitis B
- Rabies
For individuals at highest risk:
- Cholera
- Japanese Encephalitis
Yellow fever vaccination certificate requirements in India are very specific, and you can read more on the WHO website.
Do I need vaccinations for Mexico?
Vaccines usually recommended:
- None
Other vaccines to consider:
- Diphtheria
- Hepatitis A
- Rabies
- Tetanus
- Typhoid
For individuals at highest risk:
- Hepatitis B
What jabs do I need for Thailand?
Vaccines usually recommended:
- None
Other vaccines to consider:
- Diphtheria
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Rabies
- Tetanus
- Typhoid
For individuals at highest risk:
- Japanese Encephalitis
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers nine months old or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, or anyone who came via a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.
What vaccinations do I need for Vietnam?
Vaccines usually recommended:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
Other vaccines to consider:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Rabies
- Typhoid
For individuals at highest risk:
- Japanese Encephalitis
Do you need injections for Egypt?
Vaccines usually recommended:
- Poliomyelitis
- Tetanus
Other vaccines to consider:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Rabies
- Typhoid
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers nine months old or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
You’ll also need one if you spent more than 12 hours in a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (or the additional countries mentioned above).
You’ll also need a certificate for the following countries:
- Eritrea
- Rwanda
- Somalia
- United Republic of Tanzania
- Zambia
Without a certificate, you’ll be kept in quarantine for up to six days after arriving from the at-risk country.
What vaccinations do I need for South Africa?
Vaccines usually recommended:
- Diphtheria
- Hepatitis A
Other vaccines to consider:
- Hepatitis B
- Rabies
- Tetanus
- Typhoid
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers one year or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, or anyone who spent more than 12 hours in a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Do you need vaccinations for Cuba?
Vaccines usually recommended:
- None
Other vaccines to consider:
- Hepatitis A
- Rabies
- Tetanus
For individuals at highest risk:
- Hepatitis B
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers nine months old or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, or anyone who spent more than 12 hours in a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
What vaccinations do I need for China?
Vaccines usually recommended:
- Poliomyelitis
Other vaccines to consider:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Rabies
- Tetanus
- Tick-borne Encephalitis
- Typhoid
For individuals at highest risk:
- Cholera
- Japanese Encephalitis
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over nine months old arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, or anyone who came via a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. This doesn’t apply if you’re only travelling to Hong Kong and Macao.
Do I need vaccinations for Japan?
Vaccines usually recommended:
- None
Other vaccines to consider:
- Hepatitis B
- Tetanus
For individuals at highest risk:
- Hepatitis A
- Japanese Encephalitis
- Tick-borne Encephalitis
Travel vaccinations by disease
Cholera
Most travellers don’t need a cholera vaccine. Aid workers or people who’ll have limited access to medical treatment will sometimes need it.
Cholera is generally an issue in areas with poor sanitation, such as:
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- South and southeast Asia
- The Middle East
- Central America and the Caribbean
The vaccine is usually taken as a drink in two doses one to six weeks apart. Take the final dose at least a week before you travel.
Diphtheria
The diphtheria vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus and polio. It’s sometimes known as the dtap vaccine or tdap vaccine.
It’s routinely given to children in the UK. You may need a booster if it’s been more than 10 years and if you’re travelling somewhere diphtheria is widespread such as:
- Africa
- South Asia
- Former Soviet Union
Any boosters are usually a single three-in-one injection.
Hepatitis A
The Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended when travelling to countries with poor hygiene and sanitation, such as:
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Asia
- The Middle East
- South and Central America
A single Hepatitis A injection is given initially, with a second booster six to 12 months later. This should cover you for 20 years.
You can also get a combined Hepatitis A and B vaccine if required.
Hepatitis B
The Hepatitis B vaccine is usually offered to people travelling to places such as:
- Africa
- Asia
- The Middle East
- Southern and eastern Europe
Hepatitis B spreads through blood and bodily fluids, so having sex and playing contact sports can increase your risk of getting it.
The Hepatitis B immunisation involves a course of three injections which spreads over any period from three weeks to six months.
Japanese encephalitis
The Japanese Encephalitis vaccine is recommended for anyone planning to stay for at least a month in Asia.
It’s also recommended for the Pacific islands and northern Australia. It’s rare in Japan now due to immunisation programmes.
The Japanese encephalitis vaccination has two injections 28 days apart.
Meningococcal meningitis
The meningococcal meningitis (MenACWY) vaccine is usually recommended for people travelling to parts of Africa or Saudi Arabia, particularly during Hajj or Umrah. It’s relevant if you’re travelling for a long time and have close contact with the local people.
It’s a single injection given two to three weeks before you travel.
Polio
The polio vaccine is routinely given to children in the UK as part of the diphtheria, polio and tetanus vaccination.
However, if you’re travelling to places such as Pakistan, Afghanistan or Nigeria, and your last injection was more than 10 years ago, you may need a booster.
Rabies
Rabies is found all over the world – look at the list of countries for more information. The rabies vaccine is recommended if you’re travelling to an at-risk area, particularly if you’re:
- Staying for at least a month
- Unable to get quick access to medical facilities
- Doing activities that increase your risk of rabies (for example cycling and running)
The rabies vaccination involves three injections over a period of 28 days.
Tetanus
The tetanus vaccine is available as part of a combined vaccination for diphtheria, tetanus and polio, which is routinely given to children in the UK.
A booster is usually only recommended if you’re travelling somewhere with limited medical services, or it’s been 10 years since your last dose.
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)
The tick-borne encephalitis vaccine is usually recommended for people living or working in high-risk areas or planning to hike or camp in these areas during spring or summer.
High-risk areas include:
- Central, eastern and northern Europe
- Eastern Russia
- Certain countries in east Asia such as China and Japan
The vaccination is made up of three injections. The first injection is given, followed by a second dose one to three months later and a third dose five to 12 months after that.
The full course TBE vaccine offers protection for up to three years, after which you’ll need a booster if required.
Tuberculosis (TB)
The tuberculosis or TB vaccine is given to those thought to be at increased risk of the disease.
It’s recommended for those under 16 who’ll be living or working in a country where TB is common:
- Bangladesh
- Pakistan
- India
- Africa
- Parts of South and Southeast Asia
- Parts of South and Central America
- Parts of the Middle East
The TB vaccine is given as a single injection often known as a BCG.
Typhoid
The typhoid vaccine is advised if you’re travelling to areas like:
- Bangladesh
- Pakistan
- India
- Africa
- Parts of south and southeast Asia
- Parts of South and Central America
- Parts of the Middle East
It’s important if you’re going to be staying or working with local people in areas where sanitation and food hygiene are poor.
Two vaccines are available: a single typhoid injection and a course of three capsules, both of which should ideally be taken a month before you travel.
You’ll then need a booster every three years if you’re still at risk.
Yellow Fever
The yellow fever vaccine is recommended if you’re travelling to high-risk areas such as:
- Tropical Africa
- Central and South America
A single dose of the yellow fever injection taken at least 10 days before travelling is thought to offer lifelong protection – a booster is no longer necessary for most people.
You’ll be given an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis when you have your yellow fever jab. This is required for entry to certain countries, so make sure you keep this safe as it’s valid for life.
