Travel Vaccines and Malaria Tablets: How Far Ahead to Book

Book your travel health appointment 4 to 6 weeks before you fly

The short answer is: start planning at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure, and earlier if you can. The NHS advises getting advice from a travel health professional at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel, because some vaccinations involve a course of doses and others take time to build up protection. The World Health Organization suggests visiting a travel clinic preferably 4 to 8 weeks before departure, or earlier, but says a visit is still useful even if it is very close to the departure date.

Who this affects

Anyone travelling abroad may need vaccinations against illnesses found mainly in the destination country. Which ones you need depends on the country you are going to, and where in that country you are going.

All travellers, including children, are recommended to be up to date with standard vaccinations, such as measles. The CDC recommends all travellers get fully vaccinated against measles before travelling to any international destination, noting that measles cases are increasing globally.

Some travellers need extra care. The WHO says there may be additional considerations for infants and young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, older people, people with disabilities, and those with underlying health conditions, including mental, neurological and substance use conditions.

For malaria, the NHS says it is especially important to get advice before you travel if you are pregnant, travelling with young children, aged over 65, have a weak immune system, or do not have a spleen.

What to do, step by step

1. Check the risk for your exact destination. Use the TravelHealthPro website for country-specific vaccination advice, and check the malaria risk for the country you are travelling to before you go. The CDC also publishes country-specific advice for yellow fever and malaria prevention.
2. Book your appointment early. Aim for 4 to 6 weeks before departure, or earlier. A GP surgery may ask you to complete a risk assessment form before the appointment.
3. Bring your vaccination history. You may be asked about previous travel vaccinations and routine vaccinations. If you do not know what vaccinations you have had, the NHS App or your GP can help.
4. Tell the person vaccinating you about your health. Mention any health conditions, including a weakened immune system, and whether you are pregnant. Bring any medicine you take.
5. Sort out malaria prevention. If you are travelling to an area where malaria is found, get advice from a GP, nurse, pharmacist or travel clinic before you go. You may be prescribed antimalarial tablets and told how to prevent mosquito bites.
6. Take antimalarials exactly as prescribed. You usually need to start taking them a few days or weeks before you go, and continue until a few weeks after you get back.
7. Carry your proof. You may need an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). After you have paid for and had a vaccination such as yellow fever, this certificate is your proof.

Costs and timing

Some travel vaccinations are free on the NHS and some you have to pay for. Free NHS vaccinations, after completing a risk assessment form at a GP surgery, cover cholera, polio (given as part of the combined TD/IVP vaccination), hepatitis A and typhoid fever.

Vaccinations not routinely available on the NHS include hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis and yellow fever. Yellow fever is only available to book at certain vaccination centres; the NHS points to the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website to find one.

You can book and pay for travel vaccinations at a private vaccination clinic, a pharmacy with travel health services, or a GP surgery if available. One NHS practice advises booking travel vaccine appointments at least 6 to 8 weeks before travel where possible.

Timing matters because some vaccines need days or weeks between doses to work properly. Some travel vaccines protect you for years, while others only protect you short term, so it is worth checking when you had any previous travel vaccinations.

Malaria: what to plan for

Malaria is a serious infection spread by mosquitoes. It can take just one bite to get it, and you can die from it if it is not diagnosed and treated quickly. It is found in tropical regions, including large areas of Africa and Asia, Central and South America, the Dominican Republic and Haiti, parts of the Middle East, and some Pacific islands. It is not found in the UK.

You are still at risk if you now live in the UK but were born or used to live in a high-risk country; you will not be immune to malaria anymore.

Alongside antimalarial tablets, the NHS advises using insect repellent on your skin that is 50% DEET-based, sleeping under mosquito nets treated with insecticide, and wearing long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover your arms and legs in the evening, when mosquitoes are most active.

Exceptions and things to check

• Do not have a travel vaccination if you are unwell, including a high temperature. Wait until you feel better.
• If you have previously had a serious allergic reaction to a vaccine or one of its ingredients, a travel vaccine may not be suitable for you. Check first.
• Common side effects such as a small bump where you were injected, a high temperature or a headache are usually mild.
• The WHO advises travellers to obtain comprehensive travel insurance as a matter of routine and to declare any underlying health conditions to their travel insurers.
• Carry enough prescribed medication for the whole trip, including possible delays and changes of plan. In some countries, some medications are illegal to carry, and travellers should have a letter written and signed by their doctor certifying the need to carry them.
• Keep health documents with you during travel, such as health insurance certificates and vaccine or malaria prophylaxis records.
• If you are ill in the weeks after you return home, particularly with fever, persistent diarrhoea, vomiting, jaundice, urinary disorders, skin disease or anogenital infection, seek medical attention and do not wait for a routine appointment.

This is general guidance only. Ask a doctor, pharmacist or travel clinic about your own situation, ideally weeks before you travel.

What is not yet confirmed

Vaccine and malaria recommendations change as disease patterns change. The sources used here do not confirm any new rules, fees or requirements taking effect after the dates shown on the official pages, so check the official pages for your destination before booking.

Before you go

Check the official advice for your destination, book your appointment early, and ask a doctor, pharmacist or travel clinic about your own health situation well before departure.