What Travel Vaccinations Do I Really Need?

Planning a holiday abroad? Whether you're heading off on a safari, backpacking through Asia, or simply enjoying some winter sun, it’s worth checking whether you need any travel vaccinations before you go.

Many people leave this until the last minute, but a little planning can go a long way – not just for your peace of mind, but also for your health. Here's what you need to know.

Whether you need vaccines depends on where you're going and what you're doing.

Why Do Travel Vaccinations Matter?

When you travel to certain parts of the world, you're more likely to be exposed to diseases that aren't common in the UK. These can include:

• Hepatitis A

• Typhoid

• Rabies

• Yellow fever

• Japanese encephalitis

• Malaria (prevented with tablets, not a vaccine)

Some of these illnesses can be serious or even life-threatening, but the good news is that most can be prevented with the right vaccines or medications.

The NHS Fit for Travel website is a great place to start checking which vaccinations are recommended for your destination: www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk

How Soon Should I Get Vaccinated?

Ideally, book your travel health appointment at least 6–8 weeks before your trip. Some vaccines need to be given as a course, or may take a couple of weeks to become fully effective.

At All Health Matters, we can help even if you’re travelling sooner – just let us know your travel dates and we’ll advise what’s still possible to protect you in time.

Which Travel Vaccines Might You Need?

It depends on your destination, length of stay, type of accommodation, and activities planned. For example:

• A beach resort in Spain? You probably won’t need anything extra.

• Volunteering in rural India? You may need several.

• Visiting friends and family in Africa? You might need a yellow fever certificate.

When you book your travel health consultation at our Canterbury clinic, we’ll talk through your plans and only recommend what’s truly relevant for your trip – no pressure, no unnecessary jabs.

Private Travel Vaccinations in Canterbury

We offer a wide range of travel vaccines, including:

• Hepatitis A and B

• Typhoid

• Cholera

• Yellow Fever (we are a registered Yellow Fever Centre)

• Rabies

• Japanese Encephalitis

• Antimalarial advice and prescriptions

We can also provide travel health advice on insect bites, food and water hygiene, altitude sickness, and traveller’s diarrhoea – all tailored to your trip.

Heading off soon?📅 Book your travel vaccination appointment in Canterbury today and get peace of mind before you fly. Book Now