Travel Vaccines

If you are 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.

In the UK, the NHS routine immunisation (vaccination) schedule protects you against a number of diseases but does not cover all the infectious diseases found overseas.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-complete-routine-immunisation-schedule

When should I start thinking about the vaccines I need?

If possible, seek advice from your GP practice or a private travel health clinic at least 8 weeks before you are due to travel.

Some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body time to develop immunity.

Some vaccines involve a number of doses spread over several weeks or months.

Which travel vaccines do I need?

You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you will be visiting on the following websites:

Travel Health Pro – www.travelhealthpro.org.uk

NHS Fit for Travel - www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk

Where do I get my travel vaccines?

Not all travel vaccinations are available free on the NHS, even if they are recommended for travel to a certain area.

Which travel vaccines are free?

The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS:

Combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio jab
Typhoid
Hepatitis A
Cholera

Which travel vaccines will I have to pay for?

We cannot advise you on the following vaccines and preventative treatment, therefore this information must be sought from a private travel health clinic.

You will have to pay for travel vaccinations against:

Hepatitis B
Japanese encephalitis
Meningitis
Rabies
Tick-borne encephalitis
Tuberculosis (TB)
Yellow fever

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 the number of doses you need.

A private travel health clinic can provide you with advice about which countries need malaria prevention and mosquito bite avoidance. They can also provide about altitude.

Malaria prevention is a course of tablets prescribed privately by a travel health clinic or in some cases can be purchased over the counter from a chemist.

It is worth considering this when budgeting for your trip.

This form and your appointment with the practice nurse do not constitute a full risk assessment. Any vaccines not offered free on the NHS need to be discussed at a private travel health clinic.