4 days ago
Foreign Office warns travellers to complete crucial check 8 weeks before holiday
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has issued new guidance to holidaymakers to ensure they do not fall seriously ill whilst abroad
Brits looking to jet off on a holiday have been advised by the Foreign Office to perform an important check a minimum of eight weeks before departure. This advice aims to prevent travellers from becoming severely unwell while overseas.
A number of key steps should be taken prior to heading abroad. These include having a valid passport, obtaining travel insurance, and checking any visa requirements that may apply.
Yet there are additional critical checks that might not be front of mind. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) states on its website that travellers should "check what vaccinations you need and what health precautions you should take at least eight weeks before you travel".
Postponing these measures beyond the eight-week threshold could make securing essential jabs for the chosen destination a challenge. The NHS also explains the importance of arranging these medical preparations early.
The NHS advises: "If possible, see the GP or a private travel clinic at least six to eight weeks before you're due to travel." This is because certain vaccines require a period for the body to build immunity, and others may involve multiple doses.
"Some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity," the NHS says. "And some vaccines involve a number of doses spread over several weeks or months."
The vaccinations you'll need are entirely dependent on where you're going. For example, those flying to Vietnam are currently recommended to get vaccinated against diphtheria and tetanus, while visitors to Peru should consider hepatitis A and tetanus shots.
For an exhaustive list of destinations and their suggested immunisations, head over to
How to obtain travel vaccinations
Depending on the vaccine in question, it may be available at no cost from your GP. It's best to call or visit your GP surgery or practice nurse to ensure your UK vaccinations are current.
The NHS suggests: "The GP or practice nurse can 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 your GP surgery can't provide the necessary travel jabs you should request:
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
Travel vaccines can also be obtained from:
Private travel vaccination clinics
Pharmacies offering travel healthcare services
Free vaccines
The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS from your GP surgery:
Polio (given as a combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio jab)
Typhoid
Hepatitis A
Cholera
Paid vaccines
You'll have to pay for travel vaccinations against:
Hepatitis B
Japanese encephalitis
Meningitis
Rabies
Tick-borne encephalitis
Tuberculosis (TB)
Yellow fever
If you're only travelling to countries in northern and central Europe, North America or Australia, it is unlikely you will need any vaccinations. The NHS adds: 'But it's important to check that you're up-to-date with routine vaccinations available on the NHS.'
