Travel Vaccinations
If you're planning to travel outside the UK, you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world.
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If you are only travelling to countries in northern and central Europe, North America or Australia, you are unlikely to need any vaccinations. If possible, see your travel pharmacist at least eight weeks before you are due to travel. Some vaccinations need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity. Some also involve multiple doses spread over several weeks.
Which vaccinations do I need?
You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you will be visiting on these two websites:
- NHS fitfortravel
- National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC)
Things to consider when travelling
There are several things to consider when planning your travel vaccinations, including:
- the country or countries you're visiting – some diseases are more common in certain parts of the world and less common in others
- when you're travelling – some diseases are more common at certain times of the year; for example, during the rainy season
- where you're staying – in general, you'll be more at risk of disease in rural areas than in urban areas, and if you're 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'll 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 can't be given to people with certain medical conditions
- what you'll be doing during your stay – for example, whether you'll be spending a lot of time outdoors, such as trekking or working in rural areas
- if you're working as an aid worker – you may come into contact with more diseases if you're working in a refugee camp or helping after a natural disaster
- if you're working in a medical setting – for example, a doctor or nurse may require additional vaccinations
- if you are in contact with animals – in this case, you may be more at risk of getting diseases spread by animals, such as rabies
If you're only travelling to countries in northern and central Europe, North America or Australia, you're unlikely to need any vaccinations. If possible, see your travel pharmacist at least eight weeks before you're due to travel. Some vaccinations need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity. Some also involve multiple doses spread over several weeks.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Consult our Travel Pharmacist before having any vaccinations if:
- you're pregnant
- you think you might be pregnant
- you're breastfeeding
In many cases, it's unlikely a vaccine given while pregnant or breastfeeding will cause problems for the baby. However, your pharmacist will be able to give you further advice about this
Non-travel vaccines
As well as having any travel vaccinations you need, it is also a good opportunity to make sure your other vaccinations are up-to-date and have booster jabs administered if necessary. Our Travel Pharmacist can check your existing vaccination records and also offer extra vaccines if necessary which include flu, chicken pox and shingles.
Looking for another service?
Our pharmacy offers a wide range of services to meet your needs. From prescription refills to medication counseling, our knowledgeable staff is here to assist you.