In short: In England, four travel vaccines are free on the NHS if a travel risk assessment shows you need them: hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera, and the combined tetanus, diphtheria and polio booster. Vaccines such as hepatitis B (for travel), rabies, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis and yellow fever are not free and are usually given privately. Routine vaccines such as MMR are free if you are not up to date.

This guide, written by a Ready Health prescribing pharmacist, explains which travel vaccines are NHS-funded, which are private, and how to arrange them before your trip.

Which travel vaccines are free on the NHS?

NHS-funded travel vaccines are those for diseases considered a greater public health risk if brought back to the UK. In England, after a travel risk assessment, the following can be given free of charge at GP surgeries that offer travel vaccination:

Hepatitis A (including combined hepatitis A and typhoid vaccine)
Typhoid
Cholera
Tetanus, diphtheria and polio (given together as the Td/IPV booster)

Not every GP practice provides travel vaccination services, so check with your own surgery. Arrangements differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Which travel vaccines do I have to pay for?

Vaccine	Free on the NHS for travel?	Notes
Hepatitis A	Yes	After risk assessment
Typhoid	Yes	Injection or oral options
Cholera	Yes	Oral vaccine, for specific higher-risk travellers
Tetanus, diphtheria and polio (Td/IPV)	Yes	Booster if needed for your destination
Hepatitis B	No (for travel)	May be NHS-funded for other medical or occupational reasons
Rabies	No	Pre-exposure course
Japanese encephalitis	No	Parts of Asia and the western Pacific
Tick-borne encephalitis	No	Forested parts of Europe and Asia
Yellow fever	No	Only at registered yellow fever centres; certificate may be required for entry
Meningococcal ACWY (for travel)	No	Required for Hajj and Umrah; routinely offered free to teenagers

Malaria prevention tablets are not provided on the NHS for travel. They are prescription-only medicines, so they can only be supplied after an assessment by a prescriber, usually privately.

What about my routine vaccines?

A travel appointment is a good time to check that routine vaccines are up to date, such as MMR (measles, mumps and rubella). Catch-up routine vaccines are free from your GP practice. Measles in particular continues to circulate in many countries.

How do I get NHS travel vaccines?

Contact your GP surgery and ask whether it offers travel vaccinations.
Complete any travel risk assessment form they provide.
A nurse or clinician will advise which vaccines you need and arrange appointments.

The NHS advises getting travel health advice at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel, because some vaccines need more than one dose or take time to work.

What does a private travel clinic offer?

A private travel clinic such as Ready Health can provide a full travel risk assessment and give both NHS-listed and private-only vaccines in one place, as well as advice on malaria prevention, insect bites, food and water safety and travelling with medicines. Some people choose a private clinic for convenience, or because their GP surgery does not offer travel services. Private vaccines are chargeable; you will be told the cost before any treatment.

Frequently asked questions

Is the hepatitis B vaccine free for travel?

No. Hepatitis B vaccine for travel is not NHS-funded, although it may be offered free for some people for medical or occupational reasons or as part of the infant schedule.

Is the yellow fever vaccine free on the NHS?

No. It is only given at registered yellow fever vaccination centres and there is a charge.

Are malaria tablets free on the NHS?

No. Antimalarials for travel are not NHS-funded. Some are prescription-only and need an individual assessment by a prescriber.

How early should I arrange travel vaccines?

At least 4 to 6 weeks before departure if possible. If you are leaving sooner, it is still worth getting advice.

Key takeaways

Free NHS travel vaccines in England: hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera and Td/IPV.
Rabies, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis, yellow fever and travel hepatitis B are private.
Not all GP surgeries offer travel vaccines.
Seek advice at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel.

Sources and further reading

Last reviewed: October 2026 by Shamir Patel, Independent Prescribing Pharmacist, Ready Health. This article is general information and does not replace advice from your own clinician.

Planning a trip from Wigan, Standish, Chorley or Bolton? Book a travel health consultation at Ready Health and a clinician will assess your itinerary and explain your options.

Which Travel Vaccines Are Free on the NHS?