Holiday alert as Brits told check with GP six weeks before flying

Holidaymakers are advised to make a vital check with their doctor six weeks before flying. This important step can help ensure a safe and healthy trip.

The NHS advises Brits to see a GP or private travel clinic “at least” six to eight weeks before they're due to travel if they need any vaccines. It is recommended that certain jabs are needed before visiting a number of destinations.

Early planning is required as some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity. Medical professionals from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have also previously highlighted the need to seek vaccine advice prior to international journeys.

They recommend verifying whether any immunisations or protective measures are required for your chosen destination.

The UKHSA suggests: "Ideally travellers should consult their GP, practice nurse, pharmacist, or travel clinic at least four to six weeks before their trip for individual advice, travel vaccines and malaria prevention tablets, if relevant for their destination."

Furthermore, travellers should:

• Ensure they have current routine immunisations from childhood
• Obtain any required travel-specific vaccinations
• Take all necessary medications, including malaria prevention drugs.
• Arrange comprehensive travel insurance covering the full trip duration and all intended activities

This guidance follows recent data revealing an uptick in enteric fever cases – including typhoid and paratyphoid infections – in England, Wales and Northern Ireland returning from overseas travel. Some 702 instances were recorded in 2024, representing an eight per cent rise from the 645 cases documented in 2023.

"This represents the highest number of cases recorded annually to date," the UKHSA has said. Brits heading abroad can get a free typhoid vaccination at local GP surgeries, but no jab exists for paratyphoid.

In Britain, the incidence of imported malaria cases remains alarmingly high, despite a slight decrease in numbers – falling to 1,812 in 2024 from 2,106 the previous year. "These figures significantly exceed the levels seen in recent years," the health authority said.

With appropriate antimalarial medication, the potentially fatal disease of malaria is preventable. Travellers can obtain antimalarial tablets from their GP, nurse, pharmacist, or travel clinic before setting off on international journeys.

Regions where malaria is predominantly found include:

• Vast swathes of Africa and Asia
• Central and South America
• The Dominican Republic and Haiti
• Certain Middle Eastern territories
• Some islands in the Pacific

Doctor Philip Veal, a public health consultant with UKHSA, commented to say: "We are seeing high levels of infections such as malaria and typhoid in returning travellers. It is important that travellers remain alert and plan ahead of going abroad – even if you're visiting friends and relatives abroad or it's somewhere you visit often.

"The Travel Health Pro website has information on how to keep yourself and family healthy, including what vaccines to get, any important medication such as anti-malaria tablets, and how to avoid gastrointestinal infections such as typhoid and hepatitis A. If you are pregnant or trying to conceive there are special precautions you should take, so please speak to a healthcare professional before planning your trip."

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Depending on the vaccine in question, it may be available at no cost from your GP. It's best to call or visit your GP surgery or practice nurse to ensure your UK vaccinations are current.

The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS from your GP surgery:

• Polio (given as a combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio jab)
• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A
• Cholera

You'll have to pay for travel vaccinations against:

• Hepatitis B
• Japanese encephalitis
• Meningitis
• Rabies
• Tick-borne encephalitis
• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Yellow fever

If you're only travelling to countries in northern and central Europe, North America or Australia, it is unlikely you will need any vaccinations. The NHS adds: “But it's important to check that you're up-to-date with routine vaccinations available on the NHS.”

For details on the essential vaccinations for your travel destination, visit the Travel Health Pro website here.