People who are travelling outside the UK may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases that are found in other parts of the world.
Vaccination can protect you against becoming infected with a range of serious diseases such as cholera, yellow fever and tick-borne encephalitis.
In the UK, the childhood vaccination programme protects against a number of diseases, such as tetanus, but it does not cover most of the infectious diseases that are found overseas.
Travel vaccinations
You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you will be visiting on these two websites:
Some countries require you to have an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) before you enter. For example, Saudi Arabia requires proof of vaccination against certain types of meningitis for visitors arriving for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
Many tropical countries in Africa and South America will not accept travellers from an area where there is yellow fever, unless they can prove that they have been vaccinated against it.
Read more information about specific vaccines in Vaccines A-M and Vaccines P-Z.
Some people may experience side effects from travel vaccinations including a high temperature, dizziness and nausea, or soreness at the site of the injection.
Getting vaccinated
Not all vaccinations are available through the NHS and you may need to pay for some at a private travel clinic. Your GP surgery can give details of your private local travel clinic.
Yellow fever vaccines are only available from designated centres. The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) can help you find where you can get a yellow fever vaccination.
Read more information about where to get travel vaccinations.
Things to consider
There are a number of things to take into consideration when planning your travel vaccinations, including:
- The country or countries you are visiting. In some cases, the region of a country you are visiting will also be important.
- When you are travelling. Some diseases are more common at certain times of the year, for example during the rainy season.
- Where you are staying. In general, you will be more at risk of getting diseases in rural areas than in urban areas.
- If you are backpacking and staying in hostels or camping, you may be more at risk than if you were on a package holiday and staying in a hotel.
- How long you will be staying. The longer your stay, the greater your risk of being exposed to diseases.
- Your age and health. Some people may be more vulnerable to infection than others, while some vaccinations cannot be given to those with a particular medical condition.
- What you will be doing during your stay. For example, whether you will be spending a lot of time outdoors, such as trekking or working in rural areas.
- If you are working as an aid worker. You may come into contact with more diseases if you are working in a refugee camp, or helping after a natural disaster.
- If you are working in a medical setting. For example, a doctor or nurse may require additional vaccinations.
- If you are in contact with animals, you may be more at risk of getting diseases that are spread by animals, such as rabies.
If you are only travelling to countries in northern and central Europe, North America or Australia, it is unlikely that you will need to have any vaccinations. If you are travelling outside these countries, it is likely that some vaccinations will be required.
If possible, see your GP at least eight weeks before you are due to travel, because some vaccinations need to be given well in advance. Make sure that you tell your GP if you are doing any of the activities mentioned above that may place you at greater risk.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Speak to your GP before having any vaccinations if:
- you are pregnant
- you think you might be pregnant
- you are breastfeeding
In many cases, it is unlikely that a vaccine given while pregnant or breastfeeding will cause problems for the baby. However, your GP will be able to provide you with further advice.
People with immune deficiencies
For some people travelling overseas, vaccination against certain diseases may not be advised. For example, if:
- you have a condition that affects your body's immune system, such as HIV or AIDS
- you are receiving treatment that affects your immune system, such as chemotherapy (a treatment for cancer)
- you have received a recent bone marrow or organ transplant
Your GP will be able to provide you with further advice.
