Travel vaccinations

Which vaccinations and boosters do I need?

Popular Destinations

Exactly the travel vaccinations you need

The vaccines on the national vaccination schedule help to protect you from infections which could affect you or your children in the UK. Everyone in the UK should have these vaccinations as standard when they are growing up.

When you travel abroad, you often need additional vaccinations to protect yourself from infections which pose a threat in other parts of the world. Which vaccinations you need depends on where you are going and the time of the year of your trip.

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We know getting travel vaccinations isn’t the most exciting part of planning your next trip. That’s why we make it as easy as we can for you to get the right vaccinations. During your consultation, the nurse or pharmacist will check which vaccines you need – this will depend on where you’re going, which activities you have planned and your medical history.

We’ll never recommend vaccines you don’t need – If a vaccine is optional, we will explain your options so you can decide whether you would like to have it.

Chickenpox £70
Chloroquine and Proguanil: How to take

Start taking Chloroquine one week before entering the malaria risk area. For Proguanil it is sufficient to start taking the tablets 2 days before entering the risk area. You need to take the prescribed dose of Chloroquine once every week on the same day; Proguanil should be taken once every day. Continue taking Chloroquine and Proguanil until four weeks after leaving the malaria area.
Cholera £28: Vaccination schedule

2 doses given seven days apart.

Boosters

Required after two years.

Who needs it?

When going to an area with poor sanitation, including slum areas, refugee camps and areas following natural disaster; also recommended for travel to rural areas in developing countries.

Age restrictions

Suitable from the age of two.
Diphtheria £32: Vaccination schedule

Vaccination for diphtheria is given as a part of the polio, tetanus and diphtheria vaccine. You need a booster every ten years to remain protected. If you have never had the vaccine before, you may need additional doses.

Boosters

Every ten years.

Who needs it?

You should have a booster if it’s been more than 10 years since you last had a polio, tetanus and diphtheria booster.

Age restrictions

We provide the vaccine for children over the age of 10.
Doxycycline
Flu Vaccination Free or from £9.99
Flu Vaccination Varies
Flu Vaccination
Health Check
Hepatitis A £55: Vaccination schedule

1 dose

Boosters

The vaccine protects you for one year. If you have another booster after one year, you remain protected for at least 10 years thereafter.

Who needs it?

Recommended when visiting risk countries.

Age restrictions

Suitable from the age of 12 months.
Hepatitis A £55: Vaccination schedule

2 doses given seven days apart.

Boosters

Required after two years.

Who needs it?

When going to an area with poor sanitation, including slum areas, refugee camps and areas following natural disaster; also recommended for travel to rural areas in developing countries.

Age restrictions

Suitable from the age of two.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A and B £75: Vaccination schedule

The most common schedule for last minute travellers consists of three doses, the second of which is given seven days after the first, followed by the third 14 days after the second dose. On this schedule, you need an additional dose 12 months later to remain protected. The vaccine schedule differs depending on your age, how soon you are travelling and which brand of vaccine you receive. The nurse or pharmacist will recommend the most suitable vaccine and schedule.

Boosters

Once you have completed the full course you will be protected against hepatitis A for 25 years and against hepatitis B for 5 years. You may need additional boosters thereafter to stay protected.

Who needs it?

Recommended when travelling to a risk country.

Age restrictions

The vaccine can be given to children over the age of 12 months. However, the schedule for children can take several months to complete. If youâ€™re travelling in the near future, you may need to use non-combined vaccines for hepatitis A and B to ensure protection prior to travel.
Hepatitis A and B £75: Vaccination schedule

2 doses given seven days apart.

Boosters

Required after two years.

Who needs it?

When going to an area with poor sanitation, including slum areas, refugee camps and areas following natural disaster; also recommended for travel to rural areas in developing countries.

Age restrictions

Suitable from the age of two.
Hepatitis A and Typhoid £85: Vaccination schedule

The vaccination consists of one dose to be given at least two weeks before travel

Boosters

You will need a booster for hepatitis A after one year to remain protected. After receiving this booster, you‚Äôre protected for 25 years. You will need a booster for typhoid after three years to stay protected.

Who needs it?

Recommended when visiting risk countries.

Age restrictions

We provide this vaccine for children over the age of 15.

When should I see a travel nurse?

You should arrange to see a travel nurse at least six to eight weeks before you are planning to leave the UK, as some vaccinations require more than one injection, over the course of several weeks. Your travel nurse can advise you on which vaccines you need. Most travel vaccines are suitable for small children but there are some age restrictions to consider. If you are planning a trip with your baby or toddler, make sure you consult a doctor or travel nurse well in advance of your departure.

Every year, the NHS estimates that almost one in four British holidaymakers will travel without getting vaccinated properly, meaning that they’re potentially exposed to life-threatening infectious diseases. Travelling without immunisation will also put others at risk, too, as you could bring an infection back to the UK with you.

However late in the game it is, make sure you do all that you can to avoid getting sick abroad by going to speak to your GP or someone at a local Superdrug Travel Clinic about your vaccine options.

Which travel vaccines are free?

Some travel vaccines are usually free on the NHS. This includes:

diphtheria, polio and tetanus boosters
cholera vaccine
typhoid vaccine
hepatitis a and hepatitis b combined vaccine

Many GPs do not keep stock for these vaccines so it’s important that you check with your GP before you make an appointment. GPs may be unable to provide a full travel consultation and tell you which vaccines you need so you need to check whether your GP will be able to advise you.

Make sure you have a consultation well in advance of travel so that you can return to your GP for any additional doses you need or attend a travel clinic for any additional vaccines you need.

Vaccines you would usually need to pay for include:

hepatitis B (unless combined with hepatitis A)
Japanese encephalitis
tick-borne encephalitis
meningitis vaccines
rabies
tuberculosis (TB)
yellow fever

Malaria

If you are travelling to a risk area for malaria, you need to take malaria tablets with you. Depending on where you are going, you can choose between Chloroquine, Malarone and Doxycycline.

Stay safe on your holidays:

make sure you and your children have received all boosters listed on the national child vaccine schedule
choose the food and drink you consume carefully to avoid food poisoning and other infections
choose a comprehensive travel insurance
take a European Health Insurance Card with you – it is free and it makes you eligible for medical treatment for free or at a reduced fee when travelling within the EU
research your destination and pack everything you need to stay safe – from sunscreen to insect repellent

Visit your local Superdrug Health Clinic - See a specialist nurse or pharmacist

We’re here to keep you protected from even the rarest of diseases. Nearly all Superdrug Travel clinics are registered Yellow Fever centres, prescribe anti-malarial tablets, and offer travel vaccines against all sorts of unusual illnesses like Japanese Encephalitis. Wherever it is you’re going, let us know, and we’re sure to have the vaccines you need. Our specialist travel nurses are always happy to help.

Superdrug Travel Clinics also pride themselves on being able to offer a premium travel healthcare service that’s local and affordable for everyone. Take a look at our local clinic pages to read about the specialist nurses who’ll be giving you your complete travel healthcare services and to get directions to your nearest clinic.