vaccines for travel nhs

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Information on how to stay safe and healthy abroad. About us.

Travel health advice.

• Before You Travel
• Yellow Fever

Current popular advice pages:

• Staying Healthy if Travelling Abroad this Summer
• Travelling Abroad to Attend Festivals and Other Gatherings
• Mosquito Bite Avoidance
• Food and Water Precautions

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Travel Advice and Vaccines

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.

Vaccinations are available to protect you against infections such as  yellow fever ,  typhoid  and  hepatitis A .

In the UK, the  NHS routine immunisation (vaccination) schedule protects you against a number of diseases, but does not cover all of the infectious diseases found overseas.

If possible, see the GP or a private travel clinic at least 6 to 8 weeks before you’re due to travel.

Some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity.

And some vaccines involve a number of doses spread over several weeks or months.

You may be more at risk of some diseases, for example, if you’re:

– travelling in rural areas – backpacking – staying in hostels or camping – on a long trip rather than a package holiday

If you have a pre-existing health problem, this may make you more at risk of infection or complications from a travel-related illness.

You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you’ll be visiting on these websites:

Travel Health Pro

NHS Fit for Travel

Some countries require proof of vaccination (for example, for polio or yellow fever vaccination), which must be documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) before you enter or when you leave a country.

Saudi Arabia requires proof of vaccination against certain types of  meningitis  for visitors arriving for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

Even if an ICVP is not required, it’s still a good idea to take a record of the vaccinations you have had with you.

Find out more about the vaccines available for travellers abroad

Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination

You may need COVID-19 vaccinations to travel abroad.

Check the  foreign travel advice on GOV.UK  to find out the entry requirements of the country you’re visiting.

Find out more about the NHS COVID Pass for travel.

First, phone or visit the GP practice or practice nurse to find out whether your existing UK vaccinations are up-to-date.

If you have any records of your vaccinations, let the GP know what you have had previously.

The GP or practice nurse may be able to give you general advice about travel vaccinations and travel health, such as protecting yourself from malaria.

They can give you any missing doses of your UK vaccines if you need them.

Not all travel vaccinations are available free on the NHS, even if they’re recommended for travel to a certain area.

If the GP practice can give you the travel vaccines you need but they are not available on the NHS, ask for:

– written information on what vaccines are needed – the cost of each dose or course – any other charges you may have to pay, such as for some certificates of vaccination

You can also get travel vaccines from:

– private travel vaccination clinics – pharmacies offering travel healthcare services

The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS from your GP surgery:

polio (given as a  combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio jab )

hepatitis A

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

Travel vaccinations

On this page, available vaccines.

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.

Vaccinations are available to protect you against infections such as yellow fever, typhoid and hepatitis A.

In the UK, the  NHS routine immunisation (vaccination) schedule protects you against a number of diseases, but does not cover all of the infectious diseases found overseas.

When should I start thinking about the vaccines I need?

If possible, see the GP or a private travel clinic at least 8 weeks before you're due to travel.

Some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity.

And some vaccines involve a number of doses spread over several weeks or months.

You may be more at risk of some diseases, for example, if you're:

• travelling in rural areas
• backpacking
• staying in hostels or camping
• on a long trip rather than a package holiday

If you have a pre-existing health problem, this may make you more at risk of infection or complications from a travel-related illness.

Which travel vaccines do I need?

You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you'll be visiting on these websites:

• Travel Health Pro
• NHS Fit for Travel

Some countries require proof of vaccination (for example, for polio or yellow fever vaccination), which must be documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) before you enter or when you leave a country.

Saudi Arabia requires proof of vaccination against certain types of meningitis for visitors arriving for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

Even if an ICVP is not required, it's still a good idea to take a record of the vaccinations you have had with you.

Where do I get my travel vaccines?

First, phone or visit the GP practice or practice nurse to find out whether your existing UK vaccinations are up-to-date.

If you have any records of your vaccinations, let the GP know what you have had previously.

You should also ask if the GP practice is signed up to provide free NHS vaccinations for travel, as not all GP practices are.

If the GP practice does not provide NHS vaccinations for travel, you can try a:

• private travel vaccination clinic
• pharmacy offering travel healthcare services

The GP or practice nurse may be able to give you general advice about travel vaccinations and travel health, such as protecting yourself from malaria.

They can give you any missing doses of your UK vaccines if you need them.

Not all travel vaccinations are available free on the NHS, even if they're recommended for travel to a certain area.

If the GP practice is signed up to provide NHS travel vaccines, these can be provided to you free of charge.

Other non-NHS travel vaccines may be charged for by the GP.

If the GP practice can give you the travel vaccines you need but they are not available on the NHS, ask for:

• written information on what vaccines are needed
• the cost of each dose or course
• any other charges you may have to pay, such as for some certificates of vaccination

Which travel vaccines are free?

The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS if your GP practice is signed up to provide vaccination (immunisation) services.

• polio (given as a combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio jab)
• hepatitis A

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

Which travel vaccines will I have to pay for?

You'll have to pay for travel vaccinations against:

• hepatitis B
• Japanese encephalitis
• meningitis vaccines
• tick-borne encephalitis
• tuberculosis (TB)
• yellow fever

Yellow fever vaccines are only available from designated centres .

The cost of travel vaccines that are not available on the NHS will vary, depending on the vaccine and number of doses you need.

It's worth considering this when budgeting for your trip.

Other things to consider

There are other things to consider when planning your travel vaccinations, including:

• your age and health – you may be more vulnerable to infection than others; some vaccines cannot be given to people with certain medical conditions
• working as an aid worker – you may come into contact with more diseases in a refugee camp or helping after a natural disaster
• working in a medical setting – a doctor, nurse or another healthcare worker may require additional vaccinations
• contact with animals – 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.

But it's important to check that you're up-to-date with routine vaccinations available on the NHS.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Speak to a GP 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 you're pregnant or breastfeeding will cause problems for the baby.

But the GP will be able to give you further advice about this.

People with immune deficiencies

For some people travelling overseas, vaccination against certain diseases may not be advised.

This may be the case if:

• you have a condition that affects your body's immune system, such as HIV or AIDS
• you're receiving treatment that affects your immune system, such as chemotherapy
• you have recently had a bone marrow or organ transplant

A GP can give you further advice about this.

Non-travel vaccines

As well as getting any travel vaccinations you need, it's also a good opportunity to make sure your other UK vaccinations are up-to-date and have booster vaccines if necessary.

People in certain risk groups may be offered extra vaccines.

These include vaccinations against diseases such as:

The following vaccinations are available for people travelling abroad.

Cholera vaccination

Vaccination against cholera isn't routinely needed for most travellers.

But in some cases it may be recommended for aid workers and people likely to have limited access to medical services – for example, people working in refugee camps or after natural disasters.

Most cases of cholera are confined to regions of the world with poor sanitation and water hygiene, such as parts of:

• sub-Saharan Africa
• south and southeast Asia
• the Middle East
• Central America and the Caribbean

The vaccine is usually given as a drink in 2 separate doses, taken 1 to 6 weeks apart.

Children aged 2 to 6 years old should have a third dose taken 1 to 6 weeks after the second dose.

You should make sure you have the final dose of this vaccine at least a week before you travel.

A single booster dose or full revaccination is usually recommended if you have previously been vaccinated against cholera and you're planning to travel to an area where the infection is common.

Diphtheria vaccination

A combined vaccination that protects against diphtheria, polio and tetanus is routinely given to all children in the UK.

You should make sure you and your children are up-to-date with your routine vaccinations before travelling.

Further booster doses are usually only recommended if you're going to visit parts of the world where diphtheria is widespread and your last vaccination dose was more than 10 years ago.

Diphtheria is more common in parts of the world where fewer people are vaccinated, such as:

• the former Soviet Union

Additional doses of the vaccination are given in a single 3-in-1 Td/IPV (tetanus, diphtheria and polio) injection.

Hepatitis A vaccination

Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended if you're travelling to countries where there are poor levels of sanitation and hygiene, and hepatitis A is common.

Ask your GP, pharmacy or travel clinic if you should have the hepatitis A vaccine if you're travelling to:

• South and Central America

The vaccination against hepatitis A is usually given as a single initial injection, with a second dose 6 to 12 months later. Two doses should protect you for at least 20 years.

You should preferably have the initial dose at least 2 weeks before you leave, although it can be given up to the day of your departure if needed.

Jabs that offer combined protection against hepatitis A and hepatitis B or typhoid are also available if you're likely to also be at risk of these conditions.

Hepatitis B vaccination

Vaccination against hepatitis B is recommended if you're travelling in parts of the world where hepatitis B is common, especially if you'll be doing activities that increase your risk of developing the infection.

Hepatitis B is spread through blood and body fluids. Things like having sex, injecting drugs or playing contact sports on your travels can increase your risk.

Anyone travelling for long periods or who's likely to need medical care while abroad is also at increased risk.

Hepatitis B is found worldwide, but it's more common in parts of:

• southern and eastern Europe

The hepatitis B vaccination generally involves a course of 3 injections. Depending on how quickly you need protection, these may be spread over a period as long as 6 months or as short as 3 weeks.

A combined hepatitis A and hepatitis B jab is also available if you're likely to be at risk of both these conditions while travelling.

Japanese encephalitis vaccination

Vaccination against Japanese encephalitis is usually recommended if you're planning a long stay (usually at least a month) in a country where you could get the condition.

It's particularly important if:

• you're visiting during the rainy season or there's a year-round risk because of a tropical climate
• you're going to visit rural areas, such as rice fields or marshlands
• you'll be taking part in any activities that may increase your risk of becoming infected, such as cycling or camping

Japanese encephalitis is found throughout Asia and beyond. The area it's found in stretches from the western Pacific islands in the east, across to the borders of Pakistan in the west.

It's found as far north as northeastern China and as far south as the islands of the Torres Strait and Cape York in northeastern Australia.

Despite its name, Japanese encephalitis is now relatively rare in Japan because of mass immunisation programmes.

Find out more about risk areas on the Travel Health Pro website

Vaccination against Japanese encephalitis usually consists of 2 injections, with the second dose given 28 days after the first.

Ideally, you need to have the second dose a week before you leave.

Meningococcal meningitis vaccination

Vaccination against some types of meningococcal meningitis is usually recommended if you're travelling to areas at risk and your planned activities put you at higher risk – for example, if you're a long-term traveller who has close contact with the local population.

High-risk areas for meningococcal meningitis include parts of Africa and Saudi Arabia during the mass gatherings of Hajj or Umrah.

All travellers to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages are required to show proof of vaccination.

If travelling to a high-risk area, you should be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis with a MenACWY vaccine, also known as the quadrivalent meningococcal meningitis vaccine.

This is a single injection that should be given 2 to 3 weeks before you travel. Babies under a year old need 2 injections.

You should have the MenACWY vaccine before travelling to high-risk areas, even if you had the meningitis C vaccine as a child.

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination

The MMR vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella is routinely given to all children in the UK. 

You should make sure you and your children are up-to-date with routine vaccinations, including MMR, before travelling.

If you haven't been fully vaccinated against these conditions or you're not already immune, you should ask about MMR vaccination before you travel.

The MMR vaccine is given as 2 injections. These are usually given when a child is 12 to 13 months old and when they start school.

But if vaccination has been missed previously, adults can have the doses 1 month apart, and children can have them 3 months apart if necessary.

You should ideally have the final dose at least 2 weeks before you leave.

Polio vaccination

A combined vaccination that protects against diphtheria, polio and tetanus is routinely given to all children in the UK.

Further booster doses are usually only recommended if you're going to visit parts of the world where polio is, or has recently been, present and your last vaccination dose was more than 10 years ago.

Currently, the condition is most common in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria, but it's also a risk in other regions of the world.

Rabies vaccination

Vaccination against rabies is advised if you're travelling to an area where you could get rabies, particularly if:

• you're staying for a month or more
• there's unlikely to be quick access to appropriate medical care
• you plan to do activities that could put you at increased risk of exposure to rabies, such as cycling or running

Rabies can be found in many parts of the world. GOV.UK provides a detailed list of countries that have rabies in domestic animals or wildlife .

Vaccination involves a course of 3 injections before you travel, usually given over a period of 28 days.

If you're bitten, licked or scratched by an animal in a country where rabies is a problem, further doses of rabies vaccine (with or without a special anti-rabies injection given around the wound) may be required as emergency treatment.

Tetanus vaccination

Further booster doses are usually only recommended if you're travelling to areas where access to medical services is likely to be limited or your last vaccination dose was more than 10 years ago.

Tick-borne encephalitis vaccination

Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is usually recommended for anyone who plans to live or work in a high-risk area, or hike and camp in these areas during late spring or summer.

The ticks that cause TBE are mainly found in forested areas of central, eastern and northern Europe, although at-risk areas also include eastern Russia and some countries in east Asia, including some regions of China and Japan.

The vaccination requires a course of 3 injections for full protection. The second dose is given 1 to 3 months after the first and provides immunity for about a year.

A third dose, given 5 to 12 months after the second, provides immunity for up to 3 years.

The course can sometimes be accelerated if necessary. This involves 2 doses being given 2 weeks apart.

Booster doses of the vaccine are recommended every 3 years, if necessary.

Tuberculosis (TB) vaccination

The BCG vaccine (which stands for Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine) protects against tuberculosis, which is also known as TB.

The BCG vaccine isn't given as part of the routine NHS vaccination schedule. It's given on the NHS only when a child or adult is thought to have an increased risk of coming into contact with TB.

When preparing for travel abroad, the BCG vaccine is recommended for any unvaccinated people under 16 who'll be living or working with friends, family or local people for more than 3 months in a country where TB is common or the risk of multi-drug resistant TB is high.

The BCG vaccine is given as a single injection.

Areas of the world where the risk of TB is high enough to recommend BCG vaccination for previously unvaccinated travellers include:

• the Indian subcontinent (Bangladesh, Pakistan, India)
• parts of south and southeast Asia
• parts of South and Central America
• parts of the Middle East

Typhoid vaccination

Vaccination against typhoid fever is recommended if you're travelling to parts of the world where the condition is common, particularly if you'll: 

• have frequent or prolonged exposure to conditions where sanitation and food hygiene are likely to be poor
• be staying or working with local people

High-risk areas include:

Two main vaccines are available for typhoid fever in the UK. One is given as a single injection, and the other is given as 3 capsules to take on alternate days.

It's also possible to have a combined hepatitis A and typhoid jab.

Ideally, the typhoid vaccine should be given at least 1 month before you travel, but it can be given closer to your travel date if necessary.

Booster vaccinations are recommended every 3 years if you continue to be at risk of infection.

Yellow fever vaccination

Vaccination against yellow fever is advised if you're travelling to areas where there's a risk of getting yellow fever.

Some countries require a proof of vaccination certificate before they let you enter the country.

Yellow fever occurs in some areas of tropical Africa and Central and South America. More information about yellow fever and areas where it's found is available on Travel Health Pro .

A single dose of the yellow fever vaccine is thought to provide lifelong protection. For most people, a booster dose is no longer recommended.

You must have a yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days before you travel.

You should be issued with an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis when you have the vaccine. This certificate is valid for life.

When to get further advice

Speak to your GP before having any vaccinations if:

• you have an immune deficiency
• you have any allergies

Welsh Government Leaflets

Am I at risk of Hepatitis B? pdf

Travel immunisation poster pdf

Last Updated: 25/05/2021 10:09:18

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.

Vaccinations are available to protect you against infections such as  yellow fever ,  typhoid  and  hepatitis A .

In the UK, the  NHS routine immunisation (vaccination) schedule  protects you against a number of diseases, but does not cover all of the infectious diseases found overseas.

If possible, see the GP or a private travel clinic at least 8 weeks before you’re due to travel.

Some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity.

And some vaccines involve a number of doses spread over several weeks or months.

You may be more at risk of some diseases, for example, if you’re:

• travelling in rural areas
• backpacking
• staying in hostels or camping
• on a long trip rather than a package holiday

If you have a pre-existing health problem, this may make you more at risk of infection or complications from a travel-related illness.

You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you’ll be visiting on these websites:

• Travel Health Pro
• NHS Fit for Travel

Some countries require proof of vaccination (for example, for polio or yellow fever vaccination), which must be documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) before you enter or when you leave a country.

Saudi Arabia requires proof of vaccination against certain types of  meningitis  for visitors arriving for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

Even if an ICVP is not required, it’s still a good idea to take a record of the vaccinations you have had with you.

Find out more about the vaccines available for travellers abroad

First, phone or visit the GP practice or practice nurse to find out whether your existing UK vaccinations are up-to-date.

If you have any records of your vaccinations, let the GP know what you have had previously.

You should also ask if the GP practice is signed up to provide free NHS vaccinations for travel, as not all GP practices are.

If the GP practice does not provide NHS vaccinations for travel, you can try a:

• private travel vaccination clinic
• pharmacy offering travel healthcare services

The GP or practice nurse may be able to give you general advice about travel vaccinations and travel health, such as protecting yourself from malaria.

They can give you any missing doses of your UK vaccines if you need them.

Not all travel vaccinations are available free on the NHS, even if they’re recommended for travel to a certain area.

If the GP practice is signed up to provide NHS travel vaccines, these can be provided to you free of charge.

Other non-NHS travel vaccines may be charged for by the GP.

If the GP practice can give you the travel vaccines you need but they are not available on the NHS, ask for:

• written information on what vaccines are needed
• the cost of each dose or course
• any other charges you may have to pay, such as for some certificates of vaccination

The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS if your GP practice is signed up to provide vaccination (immunisation) services.

• polio (given as a  combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio jab )
• hepatitis A

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

You’ll have to pay for travel vaccinations against:

• hepatitis B
• Japanese encephalitis
• meningitis vaccines
• tick-borne encephalitis
• tuberculosis (TB)
• yellow fever

Yellow fever vaccines are only available from  designated centres .

The cost of travel vaccines that are not available on the NHS will vary, depending on the vaccine and number of doses you need.

It’s worth considering this when budgeting for your trip.

There are other things to consider when planning your travel vaccinations, including:

• your age and health – you may be more vulnerable to infection than others; some vaccines cannot be given to people with certain medical conditions
• working as an aid worker – you may come into contact with more diseases in a refugee camp or helping after a natural disaster
• working in a medical setting – a doctor, nurse or another healthcare worker may require additional vaccinations
• contact with animals – 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.

But it’s important to check that you’re up-to-date with routine vaccinations available on the NHS.

Speak to a GP 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 you’re pregnant or breastfeeding will cause problems for the baby.

But the GP will be able to give you further advice about this.

For some people travelling overseas, vaccination against certain diseases may not be advised.

This may be the case if:

• you have a condition that affects your body’s immune system, such as  HIV or AIDS
• you’re receiving treatment that affects your immune system, such as  chemotherapy
• you have recently had a bone marrow or organ transplant

A GP can give you further advice about this.

As well as getting any travel vaccinations you need, it’s also a good opportunity to make sure your other UK vaccinations are up-to-date and have booster vaccines if necessary.

People in certain risk groups may be offered extra vaccines.

These include vaccinations against diseases such as:

Read more information on  NHS vaccines  for adults and children to find out whether you should have any.

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Travel vaccinations

How to find out what vaccinations you’ll need when travelling abroad.

• Vaccination (Sub-topic)

In the UK, the  NHS routine vaccination schedule   protects you against a number of diseases. However, this does not cover all infectious diseases found overseas.

If you are planning to travel outside the UK, you should consider whether you need additional vaccinations. These will depend on the areas you will be visiting. You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended on these websites:

• Travel Health Pro
• NHS Fit for Travel

From the 1 st October 2023, you can get the following travel vaccinations for free with the NHS. Ask your GP practice for details:

• hepatitis A

Some travel vaccinations are only available privately. Your healthcare professional will be able to advise you on the cost for these. If your GP practice does not provide the travel vaccinations you need, contact a:

• private travel vaccination clinic 
• pharmacy offering travel healthcare services

You can find further information on  NHS 111 Wales .

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Travel health

Find out about travel health, including travel vaccinations and a travel health risk assessment.

Travel health advice and travel vaccinations

Get travel health advice and information on travel vaccinations if you live in Scotland and are travelling abroad.

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Vaccinations National Booking Service

We're providing systems that enable people to book appointments at sites across England.

If you have received a letter inviting you to book an appointment, go to the Book a coronavirus vaccination service

About this service

We're providing systems that enable people to book appointments across England.

The Vaccinations National Booking Service is made up of:

• an online booking service available to the public on the NHS website to book a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination appointment
• an online booking service available to the public on the NHS website to book or manage a free NHS flu vaccination at a pharmacy
• an appointment management system for staff working at vaccination centres and community pharmacies offering coronavirus and flu vaccinations - Q-Flow
• an app for checking people into their appointments when they arrive at vaccination sites - the Check a vaccination appointment service (Check-In App)
• a training tool for 119 agents to familiarise themselves with the various booking journeys so they can support the public

NHS App users can also book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination appointment.

There is also a telephone service, 119, for people who cannot or do not want to use the online booking service. NHS England runs this. The phoneline operators use the Book a coronavirus vaccination service on behalf of callers.

Other local solutions are in place, in addition to the Vaccinations National Booking Service, to enable hospital hubs and primary care networks to offer appointments to patients. 

Primary care networks can choose from an assured selection of appointment management systems through the Digital Care Services Framework (GP IT Futures).

Online booking service to book a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination appointment

The coronavirus vaccination booking service will accept appointment bookings from people who have received a notification from the NHS, through the national service by text or letter, asking them to book. People who have not received a notification may also be eligible to book using the service.

The service accepts bookings from eligible people registered with a GP in England. 

Users provide their NHS number which is used to check they are eligible, and helps ensure that information about their vaccination is saved to their medical records. Those without an NHS number can be vaccinated at walk-in sites .

Users can book first, second doses, and booster appointments, as recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation  (JCVI).

The service sends users a booking confirmation, by text message or email, which they take to the vaccination centre when they go to their appointment.

The service also allows people to cancel and re-book their appointments if they need to.

Online booking service to book a free NHS flu vaccination at a pharmacy

The flu vaccination booking service will accept appointment bookings from people who have received a notification from the NHS, through the national service by text or letter, asking them to book. People who have not received a notification may also be eligible to book using the service.

The service accepts bookings from eligible people that are registered with a GP in England. 

Users provide their NHS number, which is used to check they are eligible, and helps ensure that information about their vaccination is saved to their medical records.

Users can book an appointment for the current season of flu vaccination.

Q-Flow appointment management system

Q-Flow is used by staff working at the sites offering vaccinations. It is linked to the online booking service. Users are assigned to a user group within Q-Flow, which determines their permissions and the tasks they can perform. 

Following assurance and confirmation of completion of readiness assessments, NHS Digital will create the site in the Vaccinations National Booking Service and create a Q-Flow user account for the lead IT admin (site manager user). Site manager users will then be able to set up site attributes and schedule appointments in Q-Flow, to allow patients to book via the National Booking Service. 

Staff can also use Q-Flow to edit appointment availability, and view and manage booked appointments.

Q-Flow guidance

How to use Q-Flow, the appointment management system that interacts with the National Booking Service, enabling people to book vaccinations at vaccination centres.

Check a vaccination appointment service (Check-In app)

Check a vaccination appointment service (Check-In app) is a separate app to Q-Flow and allows sites to check patients in. 

When someone arrives at a vaccination centre for their booked appointment, staff who have been authorised to use the Check-In app will:

• Search for the appointment on the system using the booking reference or name and date of birth.
• Confirm whether the person attending the appointment is eligible to be vaccinated.
• Check the citizen into the appointment if appropriate

Guidance for arrival stewards and assessment clinicians

Arrival stewards and assessment clinicians use this app to view details of a patient’s appointment and check them in to the site.

119 training tool

A training tool for 119 call agents working on the NHS COVID-19 vaccine booking service, to familiarise themselves with the various booking journeys so they can support the public.

More information and guidance on the service . 

NHS App users

People who use the NHS App can also book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination appointment. A menu option displayed within the app provides the same online coronavirus (COVID-19) booking service but uses the login credentials already given when logging into the NHS App.

You must be logged in to the NHS App to use this feature.

Related pages

National Booking Service - training and onboarding

Training and onboarding information for the National Booking Service (NBS).

Last edited: 17 January 2024 2:28 pm

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Need travel vaccines? Plan ahead.

International travel increases your chances of getting and spreading diseases that are rare or not found in United States. Find out which travel vaccines you may need to help you stay healthy on your trip.

Before Travel

Make sure you are up-to-date on all of your routine vaccines . Routine vaccinations protect you from infectious diseases such as measles that can spread quickly in groups of unvaccinated people. Many diseases prevented by routine vaccination are not common in the United States but are still common in other countries.

Check CDC’s destination pages for travel health information . Check CDC’s webpage for your destination to see what vaccines or medicines you may need and what diseases or health risks are a concern at your destination.

Make an appointment with your healthcare provider or a travel health specialist  that takes place at least one month before you leave. They can help you get destination-specific vaccines, medicines, and information. Discussing your health concerns, itinerary, and planned activities with your provider allows them to give more specific advice and recommendations.

Because some vaccines require multiple doses, it’s best to see your health care provider as soon as possible.

Medicines to prevent malaria are pills that you start to take before travel. Take recommended medicines as directed. If your health care provider prescribes medicine for you, take the medicine as directed before, during, and after travel. 

Where can I get travel vaccines?

You may be able to get some travel vaccines from your primary healthcare provider. If you or your healthcare provider need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit CDC’s Find a Clinic page.

If yellow fever vaccine is recommended or required for your destination, you’ll need to go to a vaccine center authorized to give yellow fever vaccinations. Many yellow fever vaccine centers also provide other pre-travel health care services. Find an  authorized US yellow fever vaccine center .

Examples of Vaccines

Here is a list of possible vaccines that you may need to get for the first time or boosters before you travel.

• Cholera 
• Flu (Influenza)
• Hepatitis A   
• Hepatitis B   
• Japanese encephalitis   
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• Meningococcal   
• Pneumococcal   
• Polio   
• Rabies   
• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
• Typhoid   
• Yellow fever

More Information

CDC Yellow Book: Travel Vaccine Summary Table

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• Your body needs time to build up immunity.
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• Your primary doctor may not stock travel vaccines. Visit a travel medical clinic .
• You’ll need time to prepare for your pre-travel appointment .
• If the country you visit requires a yellow fever vaccine , only a limited number of clinics have the vaccine and will probably be some distance from where you live. You must get it at least 10 days before travel.

Find out which vaccines are recommended or required for the countries you plan to visit .

TIP : Save time by getting routine vaccines during the same doctor visit. Use the Vaccine Self-Assessment Tool and discuss the results with your doctor. It tells you which U.S. recommended vaccines you (19 years and older) or your child (birth – 18 years) might need.

Last-minute travelers

When traveling to another country be aware your doctor may not carry a travel vaccine and you may have to visit a medical clinic.

Many travel vaccines require multiple shots or take time to become fully effective. But some multiple-dose vaccines (like hepatitis A) can still give you partial protection after just one dose. Some can also be given on an “accelerated schedule,” meaning doses are given in a shorter period of time.

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Getting vaccinated will help keep you safe and healthy while you’re traveling. It will also help make sure that you don’t bring any serious diseases home to your family, friends, and community.

On this page, you'll find answers to common questions about vaccines for travelers.

Which vaccines do I need before traveling?

The vaccines you need to get before traveling will depend on few things, including:

• Where you plan to travel . Some countries require proof of vaccination for certain diseases, like yellow fever or polio. And traveling in developing countries and rural areas may bring you into contact with more diseases, which means you might need more vaccines before you visit.
• Your health . If you’re pregnant or have an ongoing illness or weakened immune system, you may need additional vaccines.
• The vaccinations you’ve already had . It’s important to be up to date on your routine vaccinations. While diseases like measles are rare in the United States, they are more common in other countries. Learn more about routine vaccines for specific age groups .

How far in advance should I get vaccinated before traveling?

It’s important to get vaccinated at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel. This will give the vaccines time to start working, so you’re protected while you’re traveling. It will also usually make sure there’s enough time for you to get vaccines that require more than 1 dose.

Where can I go to get travel vaccines?

Start by finding a:

• Travel clinic
• Health department
• Yellow fever vaccination clinic

Learn more about where you can get vaccines .

What resources can I use to prepare for my trip?

Here are some resources that may come in handy as you’re planning your trip:

• Visit CDC’s travel website to find out which vaccines you may need based on where you plan to travel, what you’ll be doing, and any health conditions you have.
• Download CDC's TravWell app to get recommended vaccines, a checklist to help prepare for travel, and a personalized packing list. You can also use it to store travel documents and keep a record of your medicines and vaccinations.
• Read the current travel notices to learn about any new disease outbreaks in or vaccine recommendations for the areas where you plan to travel.
• Visit the State Department’s website to learn about vaccinations, insurance, and medical emergencies while traveling.

Traveling with a child? Make sure they get the measles vaccine.

Measles is still common in some countries. Getting your child vaccinated will protect them from getting measles — and from bringing it back to the United States where it can spread to others. Learn more about the measles vaccine.

Find out which vaccines you need

CDC’s Adult Vaccine Quiz helps you create a list of vaccines you may need based on your age, health conditions, and more.

Take the quiz now !

Get Immunized

Getting immunized is easy. Vaccines and preventive antibodies are available at the doctor’s office or pharmacies — and are usually covered by insurance.

Find out how to get protected .

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Warning for travellers to check vaccination and medication requirements after rise in malaria cases

Travel-acquired malaria cases exceeded 2,000 in 2023 , article bookmarked.

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UK travellers have been warned to check vaccination requirements ahead of their summer holidays after an increase in travel-related malaria cases .

Data published in April by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that the number of imported malaria cases diagnosed in 2023 exceeded 2,000 for the first time in 22 years.

Malaria is a parasite-caused disease that can be passed to humans through a mosquito bite, and symptoms include fever, headaches, fatigue and abdominal discomfort.

There is no licensed vaccine against malaria, but anti-malarial tablets are recommended when travellling to certain regions. Vaccines are available, and in some cases required, to prevent other infections that can be caught while travelling.

The 2,004 cases across England, Wales and Northern Ireland were confirmed in individuals who had recently been abroad – a rise of 635 compared to the previous year.

In 2022, the World Health Organisation reported that global malaria cases had surpassed pre-pandemic levels by 16 million to reach an estimated 249 million diagnoses.

The NHS says malaria can be found in large areas of Africa and Asia , Central and South America , the Dominican Republic and Haiti, parts of the Middle East, and some Pacific islands.

UKHSA reminded travellers to follow travel health advice for their summer holiday destinations and take antimalarials and mosquito bite avoidance measures.

Professor Peter Chiodini, director of the UKHSA Malaria Reference Laboratory (MRL), said: “All malaria cases are preventable and simple steps like using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, sleeping under treated bed nets and taking malaria prevention tablets can lower infection risks.”

Boots, a UK health retailer, recommends booking an appointment up to eight weeks before travelling for any vaccinations or antimalarial medication.

Claire Nevinson, superintendent pharmacist at Boots, said: “It’s important to take steps to protect our health when we travel abroad so we can focus on enjoying our holiday. Travel vaccinations or antimalarial medicines may be recommended depending on where you are travelling, the activities you will be doing and your age and general health.

“Some travel vaccinations may be recommended up to eight weeks before travelling for optimum protection – especially if more than one dose is required, so it’s important to check what vaccinations are recommended for your summer holiday destination as soon as possible.”

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Migrants must be a focus of catch-up vaccination campaigns, warn global health experts

by St. George's University of London

More needs to be done to ensure migrant communities are a key focus of receiving vital routine vaccinations to ensure health equity. That is according to Dr. Sally Hargreaves from St George's, University of London, whose research is published as part of the new migrant health Series in The Lancet Regional Health—Europe and is speaking at a World Health Assembly side event at The Geneva Health Forum.

Dr. Hargreaves's research highlights the need for migrants to receive two doses of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and other vital catch-up vaccinations and boosters they may have missed in their home countries as children—due to the often lengthy migration process and their subsequent marginalization from health and vaccination systems on arrival to host countries—to support prevention of vaccine -preventable diseases and outbreaks.

The NHS has recently called for young adults to get booked-in for missed MMR vaccinations under concerns about the rise in measles. But health care systems—in the UK and across Europe—need to ensure that migrants and other under-immunized populations are a cornerstone of catch-up vaccine campaigns and policies.

"Currently, little consideration is given to migrants who present to primary care with no immunization records due to the fact that they were not born in the UK. The NHS lacks effective pathways to ensure they can be offered any missed vaccines, doses, and boosters they require, as well as newer vaccines such as HPV that may not be available in the countries they have come from," says Dr. Sally Hargreaves, associate professor in global health at St George's, University of London.

Guidance exists for individuals with incomplete or unknown vaccination status. This includes offering vaccinations for MMR, td-IPV (tetanus, diphtheria and polio) and HPV, but is often challenging for front-line health teams to deliver.

Not hitting immunity targets

Dr. Hargreaves and her team have published a meta-analysis of over 75,000 migrants from 39 studies and from 14 European countries, including the UK, in the Journal of Travel Medicine . Overall, pooled immunity coverage among the migrant populations for several key vaccine-preventable diseases was far from recommended levels. Diphtheria was 57.4% (compared to the target immunity of 83-86%), measles was 83.7% (target 93–95%) and mumps 67.1% (target 88–93%), highlighting that migrants are an under-immunized group in the European and UK context due to a range of often unique risk-factors.

Taking a UK-based approach, Dr. Hargreaves recently published a study that measured under-vaccination rates among migrants in UK primary care within two London boroughs where there is a particularly high proportion of migrant residents.

The study of migrants presenting to primary care practices in Barnet and Tower Hamlets found that 86% of presenting migrants to these primary care practices required catch-up immunization for MMR vaccines, and 88% required the Td/IPV vaccine. Although 93% of participants were referred for a catch-up vaccination, completion rate of courses was low (12% for Td/IPV, and 64% for MMR).

These findings alongside in-depth interviews with migrants highlight the physical, societal and personal barriers to vaccination in the UK that need to be addressed on a practice, system and policy level.

"Not hitting these targets exposes migrant communities to key vaccine-preventable diseases and to a higher risk of serious consequences and disease outbreak. Declining coverage across the board in the UK for these vaccines makes these under-immunized individuals more susceptible," said Hargreaves.

These data are critical to help inform evidence-based catch-up vaccination policies. It highlights the need for migrant populations—children, adolescents and adults—to receive tailored and targeted health information about the importance of getting catch-up vaccinations on arrival to the UK and Europe. This is for vaccines and boosters they may have missed in their home country, and for newer vaccines such as HPV that are often not available in many of the countries that migrants are coming from.

Need for co-design with migrant communities

Dr. Hargreaves says the evidence suggests that co-designing strategies and tailored and targeted health messaging with migrant communities is vital to engage them in vaccination. It could also help overcome systemic barriers in health policy to ensure European and global targets for vaccine-preventable diseases are met.

She also urges that this activity must also go hand-in-hand with increased engagement and support of front-line health care professionals to ascertain vaccination history, and to better consider catch-up vaccination in presenting migrants with no immunization records from childhood.

These actions would start to pave the way in achieving vaccine equity for marginalized groups and support the NHS's inequalities agenda and WHO's Immunization Agenda 2030 that calls on European countries to work towards achieving or sustaining the elimination of measles and other key infectious diseases.

Dr. Sally Hargreaves viewpoint article in The Lancet Regional Health—Europe is published as part of the new "Addressing migration and health inequity in Europe" Series.

Zeinab Cherri et al, The immune status of migrant populations in Europe and implications for vaccine-preventable disease control: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Journal of Travel Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taae033

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Bowel cancer patient first in England to have personalised jab to fight disease

A man with bowel cancer has become the first person in England to be treated with a personalised jab for the disease on the NHS.

Health leaders hailed the treatment as “a landmark moment” for patients and the NHS.

Officials said thousands more people are expected to be recruited to take part in vaccine trials for various forms of cancer in the coming years as part of a new scheme.

The first patient to receive the vaccine for bowel cancer was Elliot Pfebve, 55, who was diagnosed with the disease after a routine health check with his GP.

After having a 30cm tumour removed from his large intestine, he was referred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for chemotherapy and to take part in the clinical trial.

The father-of-four, who is a higher education lecturer, said: “Taking part in this trial tallies with my profession as a lecturer, and as a community-centred person.

“I want to impact other people’s lives positively and help them realise their potential.

“Through the potential of this trial, if it is successful, it may help thousands, if not millions, of people, so they can have hope and may not experience all I have gone through. I hope this will help other people.”

The vaccine was created using mRNA technology and is being jointly developed by biopharmaceutical companies BioNTech and Genentech.

It works by looking for specific mutations in a patient’s tumour, with clinicians using the information to create a personalised treatment.

The jab is designed to stimulate a patient’s immune system after surgery to remove tumours so it can recognise and attack any remaining cancer cells.

Dr Victoria Kunene, a consultant clinical oncologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and principal investigator for the trial, said: “The investigational cancer vaccines are based on mRNA and are created by analysing a patient’s tumour to identify mutations specific to their own cancer.

We know that even after a successful operation, cancers can sometimes return because a few cancer cells are left in the body, but using a vaccine to target those remaining cells may be a way to stop this happening

“Using this information, we can create an individualised investigational cancer vaccine, but it is too early yet to say if these will be successful, though we are extremely hopeful.

“Based on the limited data we currently have of the in-body response to the vaccine, this could prove to be a significant and positive development for patients, but more data is yet needed and we continue to recruit suitable patients to the trial to establish this further.”

The trial that Mr Pfebve took part in is one of several that will be taking place at NHS trusts across the country.

It forms part of NHS England’s Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad, which is working to fast-track patients to get vaccines at the earliest opportunity.

People who wish to take part will have a blood test and tissue sample taken. If they are eligible, they will be referred to the nearest NHS hospital involved in the scheme.

Thirty hospitals in England are signed up to the initiative, with more to join in the coming months.

According to NHS England , the scheme will work with a range of pharmaceutical companies and could expand to include patients with other cancers such as pancreatic and lung cancer.

NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: “Seeing Elliot receive his first treatment as part of the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad is a landmark moment for patients and the health service as we seek to develop better and more effective ways to stop this disease.

“Thanks to advances in care and treatment, cancer survival is at an all-time high in this country, but these vaccine trials could one day offer us a way of vaccinating people against their own cancer to help save more lives.

If successful, the vaccine will be a game changer in preventing the onset or return of bowel cancer

“The NHS is in a unique position to deliver this kind of world-leading research at size and scale, and as more of these trials get up and running at hospitals across the country, our national match-making service will ensure as many eligible patients as possible get the opportunity to access them.”

Professor Peter Johnson, national clinical director for cancer at the NHS, said: “We know that even after a successful operation, cancers can sometimes return because a few cancer cells are left in the body, but using a vaccine to target those remaining cells may be a way to stop this happening.”

Trials have enrolled dozens of people, NHS England said, with the majority expected to take part from 2026 onwards.

Prof Johnson said: “Access to clinical trials could provide another option for patients and their families, and I’m delighted that through our national launch pad we will be widening the opportunities to be part of these trials for many more people, with thousands of patients expected to be recruited in the next year.”

Iain Foulkes, executive director of research and innovation at Cancer Research UK, said: “It’s incredibly exciting that patients in England are beginning to access personalised cancer vaccines for bowel cancer.

“This technology pioneers the use of mRNA-based vaccines to sensitise people’s immune system and in turn detect and target cancer at its earliest stages.

“Clinical trials like this are vital in helping more people live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.

“If successful, the vaccine will be a game changer in preventing the onset or return of bowel cancer.”

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Thousands of NHS patients to get personalised cancer jabs

The NHS has begun vaccinating patients against their own cancer, in a “landmark moment” that ushers in a new era of treatment.

Thousands will have access to personalised cancer vaccines over the next year, as part of an NHS scheme launched to fast track patients onto clinical trials.

Elliot Pfebve, a 55-year-old father of four with bowel cancer, was the first patient to receive a cancer vaccine on the NHS, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

The new therapies involve “cutting and pasting” mutations from a patient’s tumour to create a custom-made vaccine, designed to trigger the immune system to kill any cancer cells and prevent the disease returning after surgery.

NHS leaders said they hope this developing class of medicine will soon be

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