Vaccinations when moving abroad

Before you move abroad, depending on where you are moving to you may need to be vaccinated to protect against travel-related infections, such as yellow fever, typhoid and hepatitis A.

If you were brought up in the UK, you will most likely have been vaccinated against a number of diseases such as tetanus, but you will still need to be vaccinated against infectious diseases that are found overseas.

Before moving abroad, you will need to find out the health clearances required for your destination country.

Travel vaccinations

If you are travelling to countries in northern and central Europe, North America or Australia, it is unlikely that you will need to have any vaccinations. Visit your GP at least eight weeks before you are due to travel, as some vaccinations need to be given well in advance or involve multiple doses spread over several weeks.

To find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you will be visiting, speak to your GP or visit NHS Fit for Travel and National Travel Health Network and Centre.

Your GP or practice nurse can provide you with your travel jabs and a booster of your UK jabs if you need any. Not all vaccinations are available free on the NHS, even if they're recommended for travel to a certain area. Check with your GP and visit a local private travel vaccination clinic if necessary. 

 

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Travel health

To ensure you stay in good health during your travels, consider your travel plans. Some diseases are more common in certain parts of the world or at certain times of the year, for example during the rainy season. In general, you will be more at risk of disease in rural areas than in urban areas.

If you are working as an aid worker, in a medical setting, in a refugee camp, helping after a natural disaster, or come into contact with animals, you may require additional vaccinations.

Free travel vaccinations

The following travel vaccinations are usually available free on the NHS:

• Diphtheria, polio and tetanus (combined booster)

• Typhoid

• Hepatitis A (including when combined with typhoid or hepatitis B)

• Cholera

These vaccines are usually free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country.

Private travel vaccinations

You're likely to have to pay for travel vaccinations against:

• Hepatitis B (when not combined with hepatitis A)

• Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis

• Meningococcal meningitis

• Rabies

• Tuberculosis (TB)

• Yellow fever

Yellow fever vaccines are only available from designated centres.

page last updated June 2015