Travel Clinic

Travel Vaccinations

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.

When should I start thinking about the vaccines I need?

Please complete a WHC Travel Risk Assessment Form and return to reception at least four weeks or as soon as possible, to allow sufficient time to attend your appointment prior to travel. Once the Nursing Team have worked out what vaccinations or other health requirements for travel you may have they will contact you to arrange an appointment.

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:

  • travelling in rural areas
  • backpacking
  • staying in hostels or camping
  • on a long trip rather than a package holiday

If you have a pre-existing health problem, this may make you more at risk of infection or complications from a travel-related illness.

Which travel vaccines do I need?

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.

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

Which travel vaccines are free?

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.

Our practice nurse may be able to give you general advice about travel vaccinations and travel health, such as protecting yourself from malaria.

Which travel vaccines will I have to pay for?

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.

Other things to consider

There are other things to consider when planning your travel vaccinations, including:

  • your age and health – you may be more vulnerable to infection than others; some vaccines cannot be given to people with certain medical conditions
  • working as an aid worker – you may come into contact with more diseases in a refugee camp or helping after a natural disaster
  • working in a medical setting – a doctor, nurse or another healthcare worker may require additional vaccinations
  • contact with animals – you may be more at risk of getting diseases spread by animals, such as rabies

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.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Speak to a GP before having any vaccinations if:

  • you’re pregnant
  • you think you might be pregnant
  • you’re breastfeeding

In many cases, it’s unlikely a vaccine given while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding will cause problems for the baby.

People with immune deficiencies

For some people travelling overseas, vaccination against certain diseases may not be advised.

This may be the case if:

  • you have a condition that affects your body’s immune system, such as HIV or AIDS
  • you’re receiving treatment that affects your immune system, such as chemotherapy
  • you have recently had a bone marrow or organ transplant

A GP can give you further advice about this.

Non-travel vaccines

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.

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.