Which Travel Vaccines Are Free on the NHS?
Four travel vaccines are free from your GP on the NHS. Others, such as rabies, hepatitis B and yellow fever, have to be paid for. Here is what to know before you book.
Updated · 5 min read
In England, four travel vaccinations are free on the NHS from your GP surgery after a travel risk assessment: cholera, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio (given as the combined Td/IPV vaccine). Other travel vaccines, including hepatitis B, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis and yellow fever, are not routinely available on the NHS and you will need to pay for them. Try to get advice at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel.
Free travel vaccines on the NHS
According to the NHS website, you can get these free at a GP surgery, after completing a risk assessment form:
| Disease | Vaccine |
|---|---|
| Cholera | Cholera vaccine |
| Polio | Given as part of the combined Td/IPV vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria and polio) |
| Hepatitis A | Hepatitis A vaccine |
| Typhoid fever | Typhoid vaccine |
Whether you need them depends on where you are going and what you will be doing.
Travel vaccines you pay for
The NHS website lists vaccines that are not routinely available on the NHS, including:
- hepatitis B
- Japanese encephalitis
- rabies
- tick-borne encephalitis
- yellow fever, which is only available at registered yellow fever vaccination centres
You can book and pay for these at a private travel clinic, a pharmacy with a travel health service, or a GP surgery that offers private travel vaccines. Prices vary, so it is worth comparing.
Hepatitis B can be free on the NHS for people at higher risk for reasons other than travel. Ask your GP if you think this applies to you.
Finding out which vaccines you need
Recommendations depend on the country and the area within it, how long you are staying, and what you will be doing. The NHS website points to the TravelHealthPro website from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), which lists recommended vaccines and other health advice for each country.
You will usually be asked:
- where you are going, and for how long
- what activities you have planned, such as trekking or working with animals
- your health conditions and medicines
- whether you are pregnant
- which vaccinations you have had before
When to book
Get advice from a travel health professional at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel. Some vaccines need a course of doses, and others take time to build up protection. If you leave it until the last minute, you may not be fully protected when you travel.
If your trip is sooner, still get advice. Some protection may be better than none, and you can get advice on other ways to stay safe.
Make sure your routine vaccines are up to date
All travellers, including children, are recommended to be up to date with standard vaccinations, such as the MMR vaccine for measles. If you do not know which vaccinations you have had, you can check your vaccination record in the NHS App, or ask your GP surgery.
Proof of vaccination
Some countries require proof of certain vaccines, especially yellow fever. After you have been vaccinated against yellow fever, you are given an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). Keep it with your passport.
Before and after your vaccination
The NHS website suggests:
- telling the person vaccinating you about any health conditions, including a weakened immune system, or if you are pregnant
- bringing a list of medicines you take
- checking whether you have had a serious allergic reaction to a vaccine before
- waiting until you feel better if you are unwell or have a high temperature
Mild side effects, such as a sore arm, a small lump where you were injected, a high temperature or a headache, are common and usually pass quickly.
Malaria is different
There is no vaccine for travellers to prevent malaria in the same way. If you are going to a malaria area, you will usually need antimalarial tablets, which are not free on the NHS, plus advice on avoiding mosquito bites. Ask about this at your travel appointment.
Health conditions, pregnancy and travel vaccines
Some vaccines are not suitable for everyone. The NHS website says to tell the person vaccinating you if you have a health condition, including a weakened immune system, or if you are pregnant, and to check whether you have had a serious allergic reaction to a vaccine or its ingredients before.
If you have a long-term condition, the TravelHealthPro factsheets cover travelling with health conditions, as well as specific diseases.
Healthcare while you are away
Vaccines are only part of staying healthy abroad. Before you go, check how you would get medical care at your destination. The NHS healthcare abroad pages explain the free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which can help with state healthcare in some countries, and link to government advice on healthcare agreements with other countries.
A GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. Make sure your insurance covers any health conditions you have, and take enough of your regular medicines for the whole trip.
Travel vaccine questions
Can I get travel vaccines at a pharmacy?
Yes, many pharmacies run travel clinics, but they usually charge for all vaccines, including ones that would be free from your GP.
Are children's travel vaccines free?
The same four vaccines are free on the NHS. Others are paid for, whatever your age.
Does my GP have to give me the free vaccines?
GP surgeries can provide the free NHS travel vaccines after a risk assessment. Ask your surgery how its travel service works and how much notice it needs.
Sources
Checked on 14 October 2026:
- NHS website: Travel vaccinations
- National Travel Health Network and Centre: TravelHealthPro country information
This guide explains the general rules for staff in England using 2026/27 figures. It is not financial advice. Your employer, payslip or NHS Pensions statement has the final word on your own pay.