Which travel vaccinations are free on the NHS?

If you are travelling outside of the UK, whether on holiday or for business, then you might need to go for vaccinations first. Vaccines are rarely at the top of checklists when travellers are planning a trip abroad, but they are often legal requirements. Some travel vaccines are available on the NHS, but others are only available privately. This guide has everything you need to know about travel vaccinations in the UK, including NHS travel vaccinations and private ones.

Why do you need travel vaccinations?

You should always assess your travel health risks and needs before going abroad. Consider your present state of health, where you are going, how long you will be there, and what you will be doing. There are plenty of health risks when travelling abroad, so it is best to minimize them by preparing accordingly. The risks and need for vaccinations are lower if you are travelling in Europe, North America, or Australia. Otherwise, some countries will require proof of vaccinations before they can allow you to enter the country. This is for the sake of your own health and the health of everyone you come into contact with on your travels. Get advice from a GP if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have an immune deficiency. It may not be safe for you to get particular vaccines or travel to certain destinations.

Which vaccinations do you need before travelling?

Before you travel, check the UK government website for information about the country you wish to travel to. It will tell you about the relevant health concerns and entry requirements for that country. The vaccinations that you need will depend on the particular health risks and legal requirements of your destination. It is advisable to get vaccines against:

• diptheria, polio, and tetanus
• typhoid
• hepatitis A
• hepatitis B
• cholera
• rabies
• tuberculosis (TB)
• yellow fever
• meningococcal meningitis
• Japanese encephalitis
• tick-borne encephalitis

You should also check that your regular immunizations (such as chickenpox, flu, and measles) are up to date as well.

When should you get travel injections?

Travel vaccinations are not the kind of thing that you can do at the last minute. You should go to your GP or a private clinic no later than 8 weeks before your departure date. They will help you to identify which vaccinations you need, where you can get them, and how long it will take. Some vaccines take several weeks to ensure immunization, and some require multiple doses spread out over time. When planning your trip, check the foreign travel advice for the country you are going to regarding immunization certification. Some countries will require you to have had updated vaccinations for a set period of time before you are legally allowed to enter the country. You must allow enough time.

Are travel injections free on the NHS?

It is a common misconception that all travel vaccinations are free on the NHS. Unfortunately, many of the specialized vaccinations come at your own expense if you need them for private travel. There are only a few travel injections which you can go to your GP to get for free on the NHS. These include the following, which are considered the greatest risks:

• diphtheria, polio, tetanus (combined booster)
• hepatitis A
• typhoid
• cholera

Which travel injections aren’t free on the NHS?

Other vaccinations against infectious diseases in other countries often require expensive vaccines at private travel clinics. The travel injections which you cannot get for free on the NHS include vaccinations for the following diseases:

• yellow fever
• Japanese encephalitis
• tick-borne encephalitis
• rabies
• hepatitis B
• meningitis
• tuberculosis (TB)

How much will travel vaccinations cost?

The travel vaccinations that you can get from your GP should not cost you anything. Otherwise, the cost of a travel vaccine will vary according to the type of disease and the number of doses required for successful immunization. It may also vary depending on the provider. The average prices for most private travel vaccinations are listed below.

• Hepatitis B – from £45 per dose (around £150 for a full course)
• Japanese Encephalitis – from £89 per dose (around £180 for a full course)
• Meningitis – from £50 for a full course of 1 dose
• Yellow Fever – from £60-80 for a full course of 1 dose
• Tick-borne Encephalitis – from £60 per dose (around £200 for a full course)
• Rabies – from £55 per dose (around £180 for a full course)

Where can you get travel vaccinations in the UK?

First, contact your GP to check your current vaccine status and find out which vaccines you can get from them. You may have to locate a private travel clinic for other vaccines, or go to a pharmacy which offers travel health services. You can usually buy travel medication such as malaria prevention tablets at such locations as well. Examples include Superdrug and Boots. You can search for Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.