Travel Vaccinations: How Do They Work and When Should You Get Them?

Planning your next big adventure? Passport – check. Sunscreen – check. Travel vaccinations?

…Not always remembered. But they really should be.

We recently caught up with one of our expert travel pharmacists, Martin, who shared some of the most common travel-related questions that he gets asked at Northern Clinics. One of the top questions is, “How soon before I travel do I need to get a vaccination?” He also told us about the “last-minute travellers”, people who have either booked a spontaneous holiday or a last-minute business trip. In some cases, clients haven’t realised they needed to consider travel vaccinations until very close to their trip date, sometimes even the day before they go!

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how travel vaccines work, which ones you might need, when to book your appointment, and what last-minute travellers can still do to protect their health before jetting off.

Why Do We Recommend Travel Vaccinations?

Travel vaccinations will help protect you from a range of diseases that you can encounter while abroad. These may be diseases that we see less frequently in the UK but are more commonly found in certain travel destinations. This includes serious illnesses such as:

• Yellow fever
• Hepatitis A and B
• Rabies
• Typhoid
• Japanese encephalitis
• Tetanus and diphtheria (as part of your routine boosters)

Some countries won’t allow entry without proof of vaccination; for example, a Yellow Fever certificate is mandatory for travel to certain areas of South America and Africa. Others strongly advise vaccinations based on specific risks like contaminated food, insect bites, or close contact with animals.

How Do Travel Vaccinations Work?

Travel vaccinations work by introducing very small amounts of a virus or bacterium - weakened, inactive, or just fragments - into the body. This stimulates your immune system to produce antibodies, so it is prepared to fight off the real virus or bacterium in the future without making you ill. This process is called immunisation.

There are different types of vaccinations used for travel health, including:

1. Inactivated vaccinations (e.g. Hepatitis A) – use killed organisms
2. Live attenuated vaccinations (e.g. Yellow Fever) – use weakened forms of a virus
3. Subunit or protein-based vaccinations – use parts of the virus/bacterium
4. Oral vaccinations – such as those used for cholera or typhoid in some cases

The body will typically start developing antibodies within one to two weeks of vaccination, though it can take up to three weeks for full protection. Some travel vaccinations offer long-term or even lifelong immunity, while others require booster doses over time to maintain protection.

How Soon in Advance Do I Need to Get Vaccinated?

Make sure you leave enough time to get your vaccines organised. Your body needs time to build up immunity, and in some cases, you may require multiple doses spread over several weeks.

We recommend booking your travel appointment at least 6–8 weeks before your trip. However, you’re always welcome to speak to us sooner, especially if you have more complex health needs or a detailed travel itinerary.

That said, last-minute travellers can still benefit from travel vaccination. Even if you’re leaving very soon, some travel vaccines can still offer partial protection against serious illness. It's absolutely worth discussing your options with our travel pharmacists.

For example, Yellow Fever vaccination certificates are only valid 10 days after the jab, so timing is critical for entry into some countries.

How Long Does the Protection Last?

This depends on the travel vaccination. Some offer lifelong protection (such as Yellow Fever after a single dose), while others, like Typhoid or Hepatitis A, may last around 3–5 years before needing a booster. Our travel pharmacists will let you know how long each travel vaccination lasts and whether you’re due a top-up.

Keeping a record of your vaccination history is helpful, especially if you travel frequently.

What Countries Do I Need to Consider Travel Vaccinations For?

Travel vaccinations you need will vary depending on your destination, your planned activities, and your health.

While some locations, like sub-Saharan Africa or parts of South America, are well known for travel vaccination requirements, others might surprise you. Some clients visiting Turkey, Mexico, or even parts of Asia and Southern Europe were unaware that travel vaccinations were advised.

To find out what’s required or recommended, the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) is an excellent resource. You can search by country and get the latest updates.

However, even within a country, specific regions may have different risks, so it's always worth speaking to one of our pharmacists to ensure the advice is tailored to your itinerary.

Our Expert Advice for All Travellers

Here are some key takeaways from our team:

• Book early – at least 6–8 weeks before your trip
• Don’t assume a country is ‘low risk’ – even tourist hotspots can carry hidden health threats
• Keep vaccination records – some are valid for life
• Ask about boosters – especially for routine vaccinations like tetanus
• Check all destinations – even stopovers may have requirements
• Speak to a professional – tailored advice is always best

Planning Ahead Is Ideal, But It’s Never Too Late to Ask

Our expert travel pharmacists at Northern Clinics can help support you through the process, from working out which vaccines are recommended for your travel destination, right through to post-travel health advice.

Even if you’re a last-minute traveller, we can provide personalised advice and help you protect your health as best as possible.

Book your travel vaccination appointment today:
www.northernclinics.co.uk/pages/travel
Find your nearest clinic:
www.northernclinics.co.uk/pages/find-a-clinic

This blog was written in collaboration with Dr Deborah Patton, MPSNI, MPharm, PhD (Community Pharmacist at Northern Pharmacies).