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 many travel-related infections, such as yellow fever, typhoid and hepatitis A.
In the UK, the childhood vaccination programme protects you against a number of diseases such as tetanus, but it does not cover most of the infectious diseases that are found overseas.
“Q: I’m going on holiday, what vaccinations will I require?”
A: You don’t always need vaccinations to travel abroad. If you do, the type of travel jabs you need depends on which country you’re visiting and what you’re doing.
You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you will be visiting on the following website link:
We currently do not administer travel vaccines. However, our practice nurse’s will be able to give you general advice about travel vaccinations and travel health over the telephone, this can be arranged through reception. We advise you check either on NaTHNac or over a telephone appointment with the nurse if you require vaccinations prior to booking your appointment.
Where possible, allow adequate time, at least eight weeks before you are due to travel, to have your vaccinations with the nurse, because some vaccinations need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity, and some involve multiple doses spread over several weeks.
CLICK HERE to download our general travel advice leaflet.
Travel vaccinations
You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you will be visiting on these two websites:
Some countries require you to have an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) before you enter. For example, Saudi Arabia requires proof of vaccination against certain types of meningitis for visitors arriving for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
Many tropical countries in Africa and South America will not accept travellers from an area where there is yellow fever unless they can prove that they have been vaccinated against it.
Read more about the vaccines available for travellers abroad.
Getting vaccinated
You don’t always need vaccinations to travel abroad. If you do, the type of travel jabs you need depends on which country you’re visiting and what you’re doing.
First, ask for a telephone call with our practice nurse to find out whether your existing UK jabs are up-to-date (they can tell from your notes). The practice nurse may also be able to give you general advice about travel vaccinations and travel health, such as protecting yourself from malaria.
The practice nurse can give you a booster of your UK vaccines, if you need one. Not all vaccinations are available free on the NHS, even if they’re recommended for travel to a certain area.
As we are not registered as a travel vaccination centre alternatively you can visit a local private travel vaccination clinic for your UK boosters and other travel vaccines.
BEFORE YOU ATTEND FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT:
It is important we have as much information as possible about your travel plans before your consultation please CLICK HERE to download our travel health risk assessment form to complete and bring with you to your appointment.
Free travel vaccinations
The following travel vaccinations are usually available free on the NHS:
- diphtheria, polio and tetanus (combined booster)
- typhoid
- hepatitis A(including when combined with typhoid or hepatitis B)
- cholera
These vaccines are usually free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country.
Which travel vaccinations do I need to pay for?
You’re likely to have to pay for travel vaccinations against:
- hepatitis B(when not combined with hepatitis A)
- Japanese encephalitisand tick-borne encephalitis
- meningococcal meningitis
- rabies
- tuberculosis (TB)
- yellow fever
Yellow fever vaccines are only available from designated centres.
The NaTHNaC website can help you find where to get a yellow fever vaccination.
The cost of travel vaccines at private clinics will vary but could be around £50 for each dose of a vaccine. Therefore, if a vaccine requires three doses, the total cost could be around £150. It’s worth considering this when budgeting for your trip.
