Immunization against infectious hepatitis (hepatitis A) is available free of charge on the NHS for trips abroad. However, hepatitis B is not routinely available for free and therefore you may be charged for this vaccine when you request it in connection with a trip abroad. A health risk assessment while traveling is also recommended for some people, even when no vaccines or malaria tablets are required. If you plan to travel outside the UK, your health needs during the trip will depend on your individual situation.
To make an appointment for a health risk assessment for travel in Scotland, please contact the NHS health board at your place of residence. Whenever possible, allow sufficient time, at least eight weeks before your trip, to get vaccinated with the nurse, because some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow the body to develop immunity and others involve multiple doses spread over several weeks. If you plan to travel outside the UK, you may need to get vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world. Vaccines are available to protect you against many travel-related infections, such as yellow fever, typhoid fever, and hepatitis A.
If you are only traveling to countries in northern and central Europe, North America or Australia, you are unlikely to need to get vaccinated. However, it must be done at least 8 weeks before your planned trip and we may not be able to schedule an appointment on short notice. The cost of travel vaccines in private clinics will vary, but could be around £50 for each dose of a vaccine. Information on overseas travel during the coronavirus pandemic is available on the fitfortravel website.
If you're traveling abroad to visit friends or family, you may be at increased risk of developing travel-related illnesses, such as typhoid fever or malaria. For example, Saudi Arabia requires proof of vaccination against certain types of meningitis for visitors arriving on Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. In many cases, a vaccine given during pregnancy or breastfeeding is unlikely to cause problems for the baby.
