Between a fifth and two thirds of travellers may experience some sort of illness during a trip, depending on the destination.1 Many of these illnesses are minor and self-limiting, but vaccination is recommended for a number of the potentially more serious infectious diseases.

A core of around 16 of the 27 different vaccine-preventable diseases set out Public Health England’s ‘Green Book’ are typically considered by travel vaccination services.2 Vaccine recommendations will depend on the nature of the trip and the traveller’s immune status, but commonly include:3

·       diphtheria, polio and tetanus - as the combined 3-in-1 or Td/IPV booster

·       measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)

·       typhoid

·       hepatitis A

·       hepatitis B

·       cholera

·       Japanese encephalitis

·       tick-borne encephalitis

·       meningococcal meningitis (Meningitis ACWY)

·       rabies

·       tuberculosis

·       yellow fever

Most UK travellers are already vaccinated against diphtheria, polio and tetanus and have had the MMR vaccine within the NHS childhood vaccination schedule, but may be due a booster. People in some ‘at risk’ groups or occupations may also have been vaccinated (eg hepatitis A and B, and influenza).4

Vaccines take time to stimulate the immune response sufficiently for protection (usually at least 7-10 days) and some require a course of vaccinations over several months before full protection is acquired. Travellers should therefore be encouraged to enquire about potential vaccines a couple of months in advance of travelling.3