What Vaccines Do You Need for Travel?
The vaccines you may need for travel depend on where you are going, the places you will visit within that country, how long you will stay, what you will be doing, your age, medical history and the vaccinations you have already had.
There is no single list of travel vaccines that applies to every traveller. Some vaccines are recommended for particular destinations or types of trip, while others may be required for entry or certification in certain circumstances.
A pre-travel health assessment brings these factors together so that the advice is based on your actual itinerary rather than the country name alone.
Start With Your Routine UK Vaccinations
Before thinking about destination-specific travel vaccines, it is important to check that your routine UK vaccinations are up to date. These can include vaccines given through the NHS childhood and adult immunisation programmes.
Your previous records matter because some travel vaccines provide protection for years, while others may require boosters or further doses depending on your history.
If you are unsure what vaccinations you have had, you may be able to check your NHS App or ask your GP practice for your vaccination history.
Which Travel Vaccines Might Be Considered?
The vaccines discussed at a travel-health appointment depend on the destination and the individual traveller. Common examples include:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Tetanus, diphtheria and polio
- Cholera
- Rabies
- Meningococcal ACWY
- Japanese encephalitis
- Tick-borne encephalitis
This is not a recommendation that every traveller needs these vaccines. Your route, activities, length of stay, previous vaccinations and health history all affect which options may be relevant.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food and water. Vaccination may be considered for travellers visiting destinations where hepatitis A is more common, particularly where sanitation or food hygiene standards may be different from those in the UK.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is transmitted through infected blood and body fluids. The need for vaccination can depend on the destination, length of stay and planned activities, including healthcare work, medical treatment abroad, tattoos or piercings, and other situations where exposure could occur.
Typhoid
Typhoid is also associated with contaminated food and water. Vaccination may be discussed for travellers going to destinations where typhoid is more common, especially for longer stays, visiting friends and relatives, or travel where food and water hygiene may be harder to control.
Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio
Many UK travellers will already have received tetanus, diphtheria and polio vaccines as part of routine immunisation. Depending on your vaccination history and destination, a booster may sometimes be discussed before travel.
Rabies
Rabies vaccination may be considered for travellers who could have increased contact with animals, who are travelling for longer periods, or who will be in places where access to prompt medical treatment may be difficult.
Even if you have had a pre-travel rabies vaccine, an animal bite, scratch or lick to broken skin still requires urgent medical advice.
Meningococcal ACWY
Meningococcal ACWY vaccination may be recommended for some travellers and can also be linked to specific travel or entry requirements. Requirements for Hajj and Umrah can change, so travellers should check the latest official Saudi and UK travel-health guidance before departure.
For pilgrimage-specific information, see our Hajj and Umrah vaccination guide.
Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis vaccination may be discussed for certain travellers visiting parts of Asia or the western Pacific, particularly when the trip is longer, involves rural areas, or includes activities that increase exposure to mosquitoes.
Yellow Fever and Vaccination Certificates
Yellow fever vaccination is relevant to some destinations in Africa and South America. Some countries also require an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis as proof of yellow fever vaccination.
Yellow fever vaccination and certificates are provided through designated yellow fever vaccination centres. Check the latest country information before travel because certificate requirements can depend on where you are arriving from as well as your destination.
You can check current destination guidance using TravelHealthPro country information.
Malaria Is Different From a Travel Vaccine
Malaria prevention is an important part of travel-health planning, but there is not a routine malaria vaccine used for UK travellers in the same way as the travel vaccines listed above.
Depending on your destination and itinerary, malaria prevention may involve mosquito-bite precautions and, for some travellers, antimalarial medicines. The recommendation depends on the exact area, season, length of stay and your individual health circumstances.
Why Your Destination Alone Is Not Enough
Two people travelling to the same country can need different advice. A short city break may involve different risks from backpacking, rural travel, volunteering, staying with family, working in healthcare or travelling for several months.
Useful details to bring to a travel-health appointment include:
- Every country on your route
- Cities, regions and rural areas
- Stopovers and transit points
- Departure and return dates
- Length of stay in each destination
- Accommodation type
- Planned activities
- Previous vaccination records
- Regular medicines and relevant medical history
For more detail on this, read Why Your Travel Itinerary Matters for Vaccination Advice.
Which Vaccines Are Required and Which Are Recommended?
A vaccine can be recommended because of the health risk at your destination without being legally required for entry. In other situations, proof of vaccination may form part of an entry or pilgrimage requirement.
Requirements can change, so do not rely only on advice from a previous trip. Check current official information for every country on your itinerary.
When Should You Arrange Travel Vaccinations?
The NHS recommends trying to get advice from a travel-health professional at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel. This allows time for an assessment and for vaccines that may require several doses or time to build protection.
If you are travelling sooner, it can still be worth seeking advice because some useful protection or other travel-health measures may still be possible.
For a detailed timing guide, see When Should You Get Travel Vaccinations Before Travelling?.
What Happens at a Travel Vaccination Assessment?
A travel-health assessment usually starts with your itinerary and vaccination history. The pharmacist or healthcare professional may also review medicines, allergies, medical conditions, pregnancy, previous vaccine reactions and any other information that could affect which options are suitable.
The purpose is not to give every traveller the same set of injections. It is to identify which vaccines, malaria precautions and other travel-health measures are relevant to your individual trip.
Travel Vaccination Advice at Biscot Pharmacy
If you are travelling abroad and are unsure which vaccines may be relevant, Biscot Pharmacy can review your itinerary, travel dates, previous vaccinations and relevant health information before discussing the next steps.
For current service information, suitability details and booking options, visit our travel clinic in Luton.
Book Travel Clinic Appointment
Authoritative Travel-Health Information
the prescription app
