How Far in Advance Should I Get Travel Vaccinations?
Quick answer
Ideally 6 to 8 weeks before you travel. Some vaccines need more than one dose, and others take time to start working. Your yellow fever certificate, for example, only becomes valid 10 days after your jab. If you’re leaving sooner, still come in: many vaccines work after a single dose, and some courses can be given on a faster schedule.
Booking early gives you the best protection and the most choice, but it’s never too late to get advice. Here’s how the timings work for the most common travel vaccines, from the travel clinic at Summersdale Pharmacy in Chichester.
Why timing matters
There are two reasons to plan ahead. Some vaccines are a course of two or three doses, given days or weeks apart. And most vaccines take a week or two to start protecting you after the last dose.
The NHS advises getting travel health advice at least 4 to 6 weeks before you go. We recommend 6 to 8 weeks if you can, especially for long trips, trips to several countries, or if you need rabies, hepatitis B or Japanese encephalitis vaccines.
How long each vaccine takes
| Vaccine | Doses and when to have it |
|---|---|
| Yellow fever | 1 dose. Have it at least 10 days before you arrive, because your certificate is only valid from day 10. |
| Hepatitis A | 1 dose, with a booster 6 to 12 months later for long-term protection. Ideally 2 weeks or more before you go, but still worth having closer to departure. |
| Typhoid (injection) | 1 dose, at least 2 weeks before you go. |
| Cholera (oral drink) | 2 doses, 1 to 6 weeks apart. Finish the course at least 1 week before you travel. |
| Diphtheria, tetanus and polio | Usually 1 booster dose, any time before you go. |
| Hepatitis B | 3 doses. A faster course takes 3 weeks, with a booster at 1 year. Start at least 3 weeks before you go if you can. |
| Rabies (before travel) | Usually 3 doses over 3 to 4 weeks. Start about 4 weeks before you go. A shorter course may be possible if you’re short of time. |
| Japanese encephalitis | 2 doses, 28 days apart, or 7 days apart for adults aged 18 to 64. Start at least 5 weeks before you go, or about 2 weeks on the faster course. |
| Tick-borne encephalitis | 2 doses before you go, at least 2 weeks apart, then a third dose later. Start at least 4 weeks before you go if you can. |
| Meningitis ACWY | 1 dose. For Hajj and Umrah, have it at least 10 days before you arrive in Saudi Arabia. |
| Malaria tablets | Depending on the type, you start them between 1 day and 3 weeks before you go, and carry on after you come home. |
These are typical schedules for adults. Your pharmacist will confirm exactly what you need, based on your health, your trip and any vaccines you’ve had before.
Leaving soon?
Come in anyway. A single dose of many vaccines, including hepatitis A and the diphtheria, tetanus and polio booster, still gives useful protection. Some courses, such as hepatitis B, rabies and Japanese encephalitis, can be given on a faster schedule. And we can still advise on malaria tablets, safe food and water, and avoiding mosquito bites.
Check what you’ve had before
Bring any vaccination records you have, or check with your GP surgery. Some vaccines last for years, and yellow fever certificates are now valid for life, so you may need fewer jabs than you think.
Coming back for the next dose of a course? You can book your next dose directly.
Book your travel consultation in Chichester
At your travel consultation, our pharmacist will go through your itinerary and health, recommend the vaccines and malaria tablets you need, and give most vaccines the same day. Consultations start from £20. See the vaccines for popular destinations, book online or call us on 01243 380185.