Travel Vaccinations — NHS Guide by Destination
Your complete guide to free NHS travel jabs, paid vaccines, malaria prevention, and where to book your travel health appointment.
🆓 Free NHS Travel Vaccinations
These are available free of charge through your GP practice or NHS travel clinic:
| Vaccine | Protection Duration | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|
| Tetanus, Diphtheria & Polio (combined booster) | 10 years | All travellers. Check if you’re due a booster. |
| Typhoid | 3 years | Indian subcontinent, Africa, South America, Middle East, parts of South East Asia. |
| Hepatitis A | 1 year (booster at 6–12 months gives 25+ years protection) | Most destinations outside Western Europe, North America, and Australasia. Also recommended for parts of Eastern Europe. |
| Cholera | 2 years | High-risk areas with poor sanitation. Oral vaccine (2 doses, spaced 1–6 weeks apart). |
💷 Paid Vaccines — Pharmacies & Travel Clinics
These are not covered by the NHS for travel purposes. You’ll need to pay at a pharmacy or specialist travel clinic:
| Vaccine | Approx. Cost (per dose) | Doses | Schedule | Required / Recommended For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | £60–85 | 1 dose | At least 10 days before travel | Mandatory for many African & South American countries. Certificate valid for life. Must be administered at a registered Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre (YFVC). |
| Hepatitis B | £45–55 | 3 doses | 0, 1, and 6 months (accelerated schedule available) | Long-term travellers, healthcare workers, anyone likely to have close contact with locals in high-risk areas. |
| Rabies | £55–75 | 3 doses | Days 0, 7, and 21–28 | Long-stay travellers, cyclists, runners, cavers, anyone working with animals in rabies-endemic areas. Even if vaccinated, you still need post-exposure treatment if bitten. |
| Japanese Encephalitis | £90–120 | 2 doses | Days 0 and 28 | Rural South East Asia, especially if staying 1+ months or during monsoon season. |
| Meningitis ACWY | £50–65 | 1 dose | 2–3 weeks before travel | Parts of sub-Saharan Africa (“meningitis belt”), Saudi Arabia (mandatory for Hajj/Umrah pilgrims). |
| Tick-borne Encephalitis | £60–75 | 2–3 doses | Days 0 and 14–3 months (booster at 5–12 months) | Forested areas of Central/Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, especially spring–autumn if hiking/camping. |
| Dengue | £90–105 | 2 doses | 3 months apart | Newer vaccine (Qdenga). Recommended for those who’ve had dengue before, travelling to high-risk areas. Available at specialist travel clinics. |
🦟 Malaria Prevention
Malaria is a serious mosquito-borne disease present in large parts of Africa, Asia, and South America. Prevention involves: bite avoidance + antimalarial tablets. No vaccine is currently available.
Antimalarial tablets (private prescription required, £20–50 for a full course):
| Medication | Regime | Side Effects | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) | 1 tablet daily — start 1–2 days before, continue for 7 days after leaving malaria zone | Fewest side effects. Mild nausea. Can take with food. | £2–3 per tablet |
| Doxycycline | 1 capsule daily — start 1–2 days before, continue for 4 weeks after | Sun sensitivity (must use strong sunscreen), stomach upset. Not for children under 12 or pregnant women. | £1–2 per capsule — cheapest option |
| Lariam (mefloquine) | 1 tablet weekly — start 2–3 weeks before, continue for 4 weeks after | Can cause vivid dreams, anxiety, depression in some people. Not recommended for anyone with a history of mental health conditions. | £3–4 per tablet |
Bite avoidance: DEET 50% insect repellent (£6–10), mosquito nets (treated with permethrin), long sleeves and trousers at dusk, air conditioning or screened rooms.
⏰ When & Where to Book
- Timing: Book a travel health appointment 6–8 weeks before departure. Some vaccines need multiple doses spaced weeks apart.
- Where:
- Your GP practice — may offer free NHS travel jabs. Call and ask if they have a travel health service.
- Specialist travel clinics: MASTA, Nomad Travel, CityDoc, Superdrug Travel Clinics, Boots Travel Vaccination Service.
- Find a travel clinic near you: nhs.uk/find-a-travel-clinic
- What to bring: Your itinerary (countries, regions, duration), vaccination history (red book or NHS record), any medications or health conditions.
📞 Contacts & Links
- Fit for Travel (NHS Scotland): fitfortravel.nhs.uk — comprehensive vaccine and malaria advice by country.
- TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC): travelhealthpro.org.uk — official UK travel health resource.
- NHS Find a Travel Clinic: nhs.uk/find-a-travel-clinic
- Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres: nathnacyfzone.org.uk
- MASTA Travel Clinics: masta-travel-health.com | 0330 100 4200
- Nomad Travel Clinics: nomadtravel.co.uk | 01306 255 500
Last updated: June 2026. Vaccine prices are approximate and vary between providers. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalised advice based on your itinerary and medical history.