I booked a trip to Vietnam two years ago and assumed the nurse would just jab me with everything. Wrong. She handed me a printed list, circled three things, and said “the rest you pay for privately.” That moment – standing in a GP waiting room realising I’d left half my budget for jabs – is why I’m writing this. If you’re planning a trip to Africa, Asia, or the Caribbean, here’s exactly what the NHS covers for free, what costs extra, and what I’d skip.
Free NHS Travel Vaccines: What You Actually Get Without Paying
The NHS provides a standard set of travel vaccines at no cost, but the list is shorter than most people think. I’ve had all of these at my local GP surgery in London. Here’s the breakdown.
Hepatitis A
Free. Two doses, six to twelve months apart. Protects for about 25 years. I got mine for a trip to Morocco – no issues, just a sore arm for a day.
Typhoid
Free. Single injection or three oral capsules. The injection lasts three years. I took the oral version for a trip to India – easier to swallow than a needle, but you have to keep the capsules refrigerated.
Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Polio (DTP booster)
Free if you haven’t had a booster in the last ten years. I needed mine renewed before a trek in Nepal. The nurse checked my records, jabbed me, and I was done in five minutes.
Cholera (oral)
Free for people travelling to areas with active outbreaks. I’ve never needed it, but a friend took it for a trip to Haiti – two doses, one week apart, no side effects.
Hepatitis B
Free for people at high risk (healthcare workers, long-stay travellers, or those going to high-prevalence areas). I didn’t qualify for my two-week trip to Thailand, but a colleague got it free for a six-month stint in Ghana.
| Vaccine | NHS Cost | Doses | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Free | 2 | ~25 years |
| Typhoid | Free | 1 (injection) or 3 (oral) | 3 years |
| DTP booster | Free | 1 | 10 years |
| Cholera (oral) | Free (outbreak areas) | 2 | 2 years |
| Hepatitis B | Free (high-risk only) | 3 | Lifetime |
Key point: These are NOT given automatically. You have to ask. The nurse might assume you know. I’ve learned to say “please give me everything I’m entitled to for free” – it works.
Paid NHS Travel Vaccines: The Ones That Cost You (and Where to Get Them Cheaper)
Here’s where it gets expensive. The NHS does NOT cover yellow fever, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis, or BCG (tuberculosis) for most travellers. I paid £65 for yellow fever at a private clinic in Manchester. A friend paid £120 for rabies in London. Prices vary wildly.
Yellow Fever
£60–£80 at NHS travel clinics or private centres. One shot, lasts a lifetime. Required for entry to many African and South American countries. I got mine at a Superdrug travel clinic – booked online, done in 20 minutes. Bring your passport – they issue an International Certificate of Vaccination (the yellow card).
Rabies
£120–£180 for a full course (three doses). I skipped it for my Vietnam trip. Why? Rabies is preventable after exposure if you get to a hospital fast. But if you’re trekking in remote areas (like rural Madagascar or a jungle in Sumatra), it’s worth the cost. I’d only get it if I’m going somewhere with no immediate access to a clinic.
Japanese Encephalitis
£100–£150 for two doses. I’ve never taken it. The risk is very low for short trips to urban areas. But for a three-month backpacking trip through rural Thailand or Vietnam? My travel doctor said “you probably don’t need it, but if you’re worried, get it.” I didn’t. I was fine.
My rule: For trips under two weeks to cities, skip the paid jabs. For long stays in rural areas, pay for the ones that protect against diseases you can’t treat easily (rabies, yellow fever).
When the NHS Says No: Why Your GP Might Refuse a Vaccine
I’ve been refused a vaccine twice. Once for hepatitis B (“you’re not high risk enough”) and once for yellow fever (“we don’t stock it”). It’s frustrating, but there are reasons.
Reason 1: No stock. Many GP surgeries don’t carry yellow fever. I had to go to a designated yellow fever centre – the NHS website has a postcode checker. Use it before you waste a trip.
Reason 2: Risk assessment. The NHS follows strict guidelines. If your destination doesn’t have active outbreaks, they won’t give you cholera or hepatitis B. I’ve learned to check the NHS Fit for Travel website before my appointment – it lists exactly what’s recommended for each country. Print it out and bring it. It speeds things up.
Reason 3: Timing. Some vaccines need multiple doses over weeks. I once booked a trip two weeks before departure and couldn’t get the full hepatitis B course. The nurse said “come back after your trip for the second dose.” I did. Plan at least 8 weeks ahead for multi-dose vaccines.
What I do now: I call my GP six weeks before any trip. I say “I’m going to [country], can you give me everything on the free list?” If they say no to something, I ask why and then decide if I’ll pay for it privately.
Private Alternatives: When Paying £80 Is Better Than Waiting
NHS appointments can be slow. I’ve waited three weeks for a phone triage, then another two for the jab. Private clinics are faster but cost more. Here’s when I’d pay.
Scenario 1: Last-minute trip. A friend booked a flight to Kenya with ten days’ notice. She paid £50 at a Boots travel clinic for a same-day typhoid jab. No appointment needed. I’d do the same if I were in a rush.
Scenario 2: Yellow fever certificate. The NHS doesn’t do it. I paid £65 at a Superdrug clinic. The yellow card is mandatory for entry to many countries – you can’t skip it.
Scenario 3: Rabies for remote travel. If I’m going to rural Madagascar or a jungle in Borneo, I’d pay £150 for the full course. The peace of mind is worth it. But for a city trip to Bangkok? No.
My verdict: Use the NHS for the free stuff. Use private clinics for the expensive, one-off jabs that the NHS doesn’t cover. And never, ever pay for a private hepatitis A shot – it’s free at your GP.
I walked into that GP surgery for my Vietnam trip expecting a full armoury of jabs. I left with three free ones and a £65 yellow fever certificate from Boots. The trip was amazing. I didn’t get sick. But I learned a lesson: know the list before you go. The NHS covers the basics. The rest is on you. Plan ahead, check the Fit for Travel site, and don’t assume the nurse will tell you everything. Ask. Then ask again.