If you are planning a trip abroad visit your GP at least eight weeks before you are due to travel as some jabs need to be given well in advance.
Whether or not you will need to have jabs depends on the individual country you will be travelling to, what existing medical conditions you have and what medication you are already taking.
A GP, practice nurse, or travel clinic can advise whether vaccinations are required and what other healthcare measures are needed.
If you have not previously been immunised against diphtheria, polio or tetanus or are due for a booster, this is an ideal opportunity to have the vaccinations. Your GP or practice nurse may only be able provide the free vaccinations. These can vary across practices but usually include typhoid, hepatitis A, meningitis C, tetanus and polio.
Not all vaccinations are free and your GP may charge for certain ones, although it will vary from surgery to surgery. Vaccinations including diphtheria, yellow fever, rabies, japanese encephalitis and hepatitis B will normally have to be paid for. Your GP may charge for these vaccines (including an administration fee) or refer you to a special travel clinic.
If you are pregnant, you should not have any unnecessary vaccinations so consult your GP.
Further information:
