You’ve booked your flights, sorted your hotels, hired a car, and even remembered travel insurance – but have you checked your travel jabs?
It might not be the first thing that springs to mind when planning your dream summer getaway, but failing to review your vaccinations before heading overseas could have serious consequences – for your health and your wallet.
Experts are warning travellers not to overlook essential jabs, particularly when visiting parts of the world where serious infectious diseases are still prevalent. Without the proper protection, you risk falling gravely ill – or worse. And if you haven’t followed official guidance, your travel insurance could even be invalidated, leaving you facing sky-high medical bills abroad.
Travellers are strongly advised to double-check their insurance terms and consult official travel health guidance before they go.
Here’s a round-up of the key travel vaccinations recommended by the NHS – and the areas where they’re most relevant:
Cholera
Who needs it? Aid workers or travellers heading to disaster zones or areas with poor sanitation, mainly in parts of Africa, Asia, and South America. Most travellers won’t need this.
How many doses? 2 doses 1 to 6 weeks apart. Young children may need a third dose.
Dengue
Who needs it? Those with past dengue exposure visiting risk zones in tropical regions including Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Pacific islands.
How is it available? Private only. Given as two injections three months apart.
Diphtheria
Who needs it? In the UK children are routinely vaccinated against this disease. However, anyone whose last booster was more than 10 years ago and who is travelling to areas where diphtheria is still common – such as Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and parts of Eastern Europe.
How’s it given? As part of a 3-in-1 booster jab with tetanus and polio.
Hepatitis A
Who needs it? Those heading to areas with poor sanitation – including but not limted to Sub-Saharan and North Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Central and South America, and Eastern Europe.
How’s it given? One dose before travel and a second 6–12 months later for 25 years’ protection.
Hepatitis B
Who needs it? Travellers likely to need medical care abroad or engage in activities like sex or contact sports that increase the risk of infection.
Common in: Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and South America.
Schedule: Three doses, with flexible timing based on travel date.
Japanese Encephalitis
Who needs it? Long-stay travellers or those visiting rural areas (especially during rainy seasons) in parts of Asia and the western Pacific.
How’s it given? Two injections, 28 days apart – with the last at least one week before travel.
Meningococcal Meningitis
Who needs it? Long-term travellers to parts of Africa or Saudi Arabia during Hajj or Umrah (vaccination is mandatory for entry).
Vaccine: MenACWY injection – ideally 2 to 3 weeks before travel.
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
Who needs it? Anyone from the UK not up to date with childhood vaccines.
How’s it given? Two doses. Adults can have the jabs one month apart.
Polio
Who needs it? Those heading to high-risk areas such as Pakistan or Afghanistan.
Given as: Part of the 3-in-1 Td/IPV booster if the last dose was over 10 years ago.
Rabies
Who needs it? Long-term travellers or those engaging in outdoor activities (e.g. hiking or cycling) in high-risk areas.
Common in: Parts of Asia, Africa, and Central/South America.
Schedule: Three doses over 28 days – plus emergency treatment if exposed.
Tetanus
Who needs it? Travellers with poor access to medical help or whose last tetanus jab was over 10 years ago.
How’s it given? Part of the 3-in-1 Td/IPV booster.
Tick-borne Encephalitis
Who needs it? Campers, hikers, or those staying long-term in rural parts of Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and East Asia.
Vaccine schedule: Three doses, with boosters every three years.
Tuberculosis (TB)
Who needs it? Unvaccinated people under 16 staying long-term in high-risk areas like Africa and parts of Asia.
Vaccine: Single BCG injection.
Typhoid
Who needs it? Travellers heading to areas with poor food and water hygiene, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
How’s it given? Either one injection or three capsules. Combined hepatitis A/typhoid jabs also available.
Yellow Fever
Who needs it? Travellers visiting risk zones in tropical Africa or Central and South America.
Important: Proof of vaccination may be required for entry.
Vaccine: Single injection at least 10 days before travel – offers lifelong protection.
When to seek advice
Speak to your GP or travel clinic at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure – earlier if you’re pregnant, immunocompromised, or planning extended or high-risk travel.
Failing to plan your jabs could leave you exposed – and not just to illness. Travel insurance policies may refuse to pay out if you’ve ignored official vaccine advice. So, before you pack your sunscreen and flip-flops, make sure you’re medically covered too.
The above guidance is not exhaustive and does not replace you seeking full travel vaccination advice, which can be found in more detail here at the NHS website.