boots online doctor travel vaccinations

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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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You are here: Home Newsroom News Boots Chief Pharmacist’s travel health checklist for classic holiday destinations

Boots Chief Pharmacist’s travel health checklist for classic holiday destinations

• Marc Donovan’s advice includes checking health risks of your destination , ensuring the right protection  and pac king the right medicine s  
• Boots offers the biggest range of health and wellness products and a n  expanding number of services including travel vaccinations , malaria prevention  and treatment for jet lag    

Whether you are heading to romantic, far-flung destinations such as Thailand or Bali, or preparing for a family holiday closer to home in European hot spots like France, Spain or Italy, Boots Chief Pharmacist Marc Donovan shares his top tips for helping stay healthy this holiday season.

Boots Chief Pharmacist, Marc Donovan , said: “For many of us, this summer is the first time abroad since before the pandemic and we should be making the most of every second! As we move into the busy holiday season, my advice to help stay feeling well during your holiday is to plan. Consider what you need to do before your holiday – such as finding out whether any travel vaccinations or anti-malarial medicines should be considered for your destination or if any COVID-19 testing is required.

“Also, ensure you have an adequate supply of any prescription medicines that you take and perhaps consider packing some other basic healthcare items such as a first aid kit containing pain relief and something to relieve stomach upsets. And if there’s anything you’re not sure about, your local Boots pharmacy team is here to help.”

Here is Marc’s quick and easy checklist of the top things to consider for making a holiday health plan:

Check the health risks in the country you are going to

“When you travel abroad you may be exposed to viruses and diseases you haven't come across before, but there are vaccinations and other medicines that can help protect you. You should also check the malaria risk of the country you’re travelling to. Malaria is a serious infection and can be life-threatening but is preventable. At boots.com we have an online tool to help you identify the health risks of the country you are visiting and any anti-malarial medicines and vaccinations you should consider. The Foreign Office travel advice pages are very helpful too. And the Boots Vaccinations and Travel Advice Service can provide expert advice alongside vaccinations and malaria prevention, that’s tailored to your destination.”

Check your destination’s COVID-19 testing requirements

“It’s important to stay up to date on relevant COVID-19 testing requirements. Popular locations such as Spain, still require either a vaccination, negative test, or confirmation you’ve recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months.1 If you start to experience any COVID-19 symptoms it is always wise to take a test before you travel too, as the UK government recommends not flying if you have tested positive. Boots offers a range of COVID-19 testing services, from at-home lateral flow tests, to in-store testing services.”*

Anticipate jet lag if flying long-haul

“If you are travelling to a destination far away in a different time zone – like the Americas – you might be at risk of jet lag. Make sure you drink plenty of water, keep active by regularly stretching and walking around the cabin and try to sleep if it's night time at your destination. Boots Online Doctor also offers a Jet Lag Treatment service, which offers advice and treatment if appropriate.”**

Pack the right healthcare products for your destination

“Whether you are jetting off on a plane or keeping it local this summer, it’s always wise to prepare and pack a few healthcare products tailored to the destination you’re travelling to. A small first aid kit may be a good start. I’d include paracetamol, antihistamines, plasters and antiseptic cream. If you are heading to hotter climates, insects can leave you with some nasty bites so make sure you pack plenty of repellent, making sure it will be effective for the common insects in the country you’re heading to. Finally, make sure you have an adequate supply of any prescription medicines that you take .”

Stay sun safe

“UV rays can have damaging short term and long-term effects, so wherever you are but especially in warmer climates, you need to ensure you’re reapplying sun cream with a high SPF regularly throughout the day. Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm, cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses and take extra care with children.”

Boots is the leading healthcare provider on the high street, offering the biggest range of health and wellness products and an expanding range of services. Visit the Boots Health Hub to find its travel health services.

* Availability in selected stores, charges apply. Subject to specially trained colleague and stock availability. You must register and order your test on the ReCoVa-19 portal before booking your appointment. Appointments can be booked up to 28 days in advance. Please note our in-store private testing services are not suitable for anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, or anyone who thinks they may have COVID-19. It is a legal requirement that Boots, as a provider of the service, share all COVID-19 test results (positive, negative, inconclusive and failed) to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Visit www.boots.com/services/covid-19-testing for further information on COVID-19 testing services available at Boots

**Access to prescription only medicine is subject to a consultation with a clinician to assess suitability. Charges apply.

Marc Donovan advice and medicines

Marc Donovan OBE with patient

Boots Chief Pharmacist Marc Donovan shares his summer travel checklist

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Travel vaccination advice

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 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.

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.

Find out more about the vaccines available for travellers abroad

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.

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

Which travel vaccines are free?

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.

Which travel vaccines will I have to pay for?

You'll have to pay for travel vaccinations against:

• hepatitis B
• Japanese encephalitis
• 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 vaccinations are up-to-date and have booster vaccines if necessary.

Although many routine NHS vaccinations are given during childhood, you can have some of them (such as the MMR vaccine ) as an adult if you missed getting vaccinated as a child.

There are also some extra NHS vaccinations for people at higher risk of certain illnesses, such as the flu vaccine , the hepatitis B vaccine and the BCG vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) .

Your GP can advise you about any NHS vaccinations you might need.

Find out about NHS vaccinations and when to have them

Page last reviewed: 16 March 2023 Next review due: 16 March 2026

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About the boots online doctor service.

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Vaccines for Travelers

Vaccines protect travelers from serious diseases. Depending on where you travel, you may come into contact with diseases that are rare in the United States, like yellow fever. Some vaccines may also be required for you to travel to certain places.

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 .