These Travel Vaccines are Free on NHS in 2025

The NHS offers a few travel vaccinations free of charge, but which ones are they?

When traveling abroad, it's important to prepare from top to bottom: excursions, financials, entry requirements, and of course, your health.

We're going to take a look at which travel vaccines on NHS are free, as well as which ones are offered and for what reasons.

Which vaccines are free on NHS?

There are currently a few free travel vaccines that the NHS offers. They are:

• Cholera
• Hepatitis A
• Diptheria/Tetanus/Polio (combined)
• Typhoid

Why are these vaccines free?

According to the NHS, these vaccines are free of charge because of the risk that these diseases pose to the general public.

Who are these vaccines free for?

According to the UK government, those residing in the United Kingdom who have "ordinary residence" are eligible for NHS.

NHS, which stands for National Health Service UK, is a publicly funded healthcare system in the United Kingdom that gives universal healthcare to the country's residents.

This system is entirely residence-based, meaning you don't necessarily have to be a British citizen living in the UK to have access, but you do need to be a legal resident who is "properly settled."

More information about who qualifies for NHS can be found here.

Which travel vaccines do I have to pay for on NHS?

There are several additional travel vaccinations available, but they will require you to pay for them. The amount you have to pay varies depending on how many doses you need and which specific vaccination you need.

Travel vaccinations that are not free on NHS include:

• Dengue
• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis B
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Meningococcal Meningitis
• MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella)
• Rabies
• Tick-borne Encephalitis
• TB (Tuberculosis)
• Yellow Fever

Which countries do I need to get a travel vaccination for?

You should always check with an official, government source when it comes to which travel vaccinations are either required or recommended for specific destinations.

This site has an interactive map allowing you to look at current outbreaks, whether or not proof of vaccination is mandatory for entry or exit, and even more details that travelers find useful. It's a fantastic resource and the information found there can be trusted.

With that said, here is some general information about available travel vaccines and when/where they apply to travelers.

Cholera

The cholera vaccination is free through the NHS.

Who needs it?

It's often recommended for aid workers, such as in refugee camps or helping with clean up or support after a natural disaster.

Where is the cholera vaccine required?

Always check an official government source for the most up-to-date requirements. However, Cholera vaccinations are typically recommended in parts of the world that have poor water hygiene and sanitation. This includes areas in Africa, Asia, and South America.

Dengue

The Dengue vaccination is not free through the NHS.

Who needs it?

If you have had Dengue before (or even think you might have), it's generally advised to get a Dengue vaccination depending on where you're traveling to.

Where is the Dengue vaccination required?

Make sure you check official government sites when it comes to vaccine requirements and recommendations. Dengue is more common in countries with tropical climates, including the Caribbean, Central and South America, parts of Asia, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Africa, so it may be recommended in these locations.

Diphtheria

The Diphtheria vaccine is combined with polio and tetanus. This travel vaccination is free on NHS.

Who needs it?

The diphtheria vaccination is considered routine, meaning it is given to all children in the UK. In general, it's a vaccination that needs to be updated every 10 years - especially if you're going to a part of the world where Diphtheria is more common.

Where is the Diphtheria vaccine required?

It's best to be up-to-date on your Diphtheria vaccination before traveling. Diphtheria is more common in Africa, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, South America, Haiti, Eastern Europe, and Russia and may be recommended depending on your specific destination.

Make sure to check with an official government site regarding whether or not the vaccine is mandatory or advised.

Hepatitis A

The Hepatitis A vaccination is free on the NHS.

Who needs it?

This vaccination is recommended if you're traveling to countries where Hepatitis A is common and where the sanitation systems are substandard.

Where is the Hepatitis A vaccine required?

If you're traveling to any of the following locations, the NHS recommends that you consult your GP to see if you should get a Hepatitis A vaccination before your trip:

• Sub-Saharan and Northern Africa
• South and Central America
• Asia
• Eastern Europe
• The Middle East

Hepatitis B

The Hepatitis B vaccine isn't free on NHS.

Who needs it?

The NHS recommends that travelers going to parts of the world where Hepatitis B is common get vaccinated. In addition to that, some activities and lifestyle choices can expose you to Hepatitis B, meaning you're at a higher risk due to how the disease is spread (through blood and body fluids).

Where is the Hepatitis B vaccination required?

Hepatitis B is more common in Asia, South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southern and Eastern Europe, and The Middle East. Check with an official government source to see exactly where the Hepatitis B vaccination is advised.

Japanese Encephalitis

The Japanese Encephalitis vaccination is not free through NHS.

Who needs it?

This vaccine is typically recommended for travelers heading to locations where Japanese Encephalitis is present and who plan on staying for more than a month. This is especially true if your destination has a tropical climate and/or you're traveling during the rainy season.

If your travel plans include a lot of outdoor activities (like cycling) and/or exploring more off-the-beaten-path rural areas (like marshlands), it's also recommended.

Where is the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine required?

Make sure to check with an official government source to see when and where it is required. Japanese Encephalitis is present in several areas of the world. Despite the name, the disease is actually rare in Japan now because of mass immunizations there.

Japanese Encephalitis is still present in parts of Asia, the Pacific Islands, Pakistan, Northeastern China, and Northeastern Australia, so it may be recommended to get vaccinated before traveling to specific parts of these countries.

Meningococcal Meningitis

The Meningococcal Meningitis vaccination is not free on NHS.

Who needs it?

Frequent/long-term travelers who come into close, regular contact with locals where Meningococcal Meningitis is present.

Where is the Meningococcal Meningitis vaccine required?

If you're traveling to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah or Hajj pilgrimages, proof of vaccination is mandatory.

Parts of Africa are also considered high-risk, so this vaccine may be recommended. Make sure to check with an official government site.

MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)

MMR is not a free travel vaccination on the NHS, but it is a routine vaccination for all children in the UK.

Who needs it?

Because it's a routine, standard vaccination in the United Kingdom, the NHS recommends that you (and your family) have the MMR vaccination before traveling.

Where is the MMR vaccine required?

It's generally advised to be vaccinated against MMR.

Polio

The Polio vaccination (combined with diphtheria and tetanus) is free on NHS.

Who needs it?

The Polio vaccination is routine, so the NHS recommends that this vaccine, and all routine vaccinations, are up to date before traveling.

Where is the Polio vaccine required?

While it's recommended before any traveling, there are parts of the world that see higher levels of Polio, such as Afghanistan and Pakistan. To learn whether or not it is required or advised for your destination(s), check with an official government site or source.

Rabies

The rabies vaccination is not free on NHS.

Who needs it?

The rabies vaccination is recommended for all travelers visiting parts of the world where rabies is present - particularly if your travel plans include activities that put you at a higher risk for contracting rabies, such as outdoor activities like running.

Where is the Rabies vaccine required?

Rabies is present all over the world and the UK government provides a list of places where it can be found, and whether or not it is advised.

Tetanus

Tetanus is a combined vaccination (with Polio and Diphtheria) and is free on NHS.

Who needs it?

The Tetanus vaccination is routine, meaning it's advised for any and all travelers.

Where is the Tetanus vaccine required?

Because the Tetanus vaccination is considered standard, the NHS advises all travelers to be up-to-date.

Tick-borne Encephalitis

The Tick-borne Encephalitis vaccination is not free on NHS.

Who needs it?

There are some activities that put you at a higher risk of developing Tick-borne Encephalitis. This includes outdoor activities such as hiking and camping, especially during the warmer seasons (spring and summer).

Because of this, the vaccine is generally recommended for travelers who plan to be outdoors frequently and are traveling to parts of the world where Tick-borne Encephalitis is present.

Where is the Tick-borne Encephalitis vaccination required?

This disease can be found in ticks in Central and Northern Europe, as well as Eastern Russia, parts of China, Japan, and Asia in general.

The official UK government can advise you as to whether or not the vaccine is recommended or required depending on your travel destinations and plans.

TB (Tuberculosis)

A vaccination for Tuberculosis (called the BCG vaccination) is not free on NHS.

Who needs it?

While it isn't a routine vaccine in the UK, it is part of the routine schedule if the patient is at higher risk for developing Tuberculosis.

Where is the Tuberculosis vaccination required?

Check with an official government site when confirming when and where vaccinations are required. With that being said, the TB vaccination is generally recommended to travelers who are going to be spending consistent time with friends, family, or local populations for an extended period where Tuberculosis is more common.

TB is more common in some parts of Africa and South/Southeast Asia.

Typhoid

The Typhoid vaccination is free on NHS.

Who needs it?

The Typhoid vaccine is usually recommended for travelers going to parts of the world where the disease is more common, especially if you'll be mingling with local populations and if sanitation/hygiene conditions are substandard.

Where is the Typhoid vaccination required?

When it comes to Typhoid, high-risk areas include some areas in South/Southeast Asia, as well as South/Central America. Official UK Government websites will be able to give you accurate, detailed information about when and where any vaccination, including Typhoid, is recommended or required.

Yellow Fever

The Yellow Fever vaccine is not free on NHS.

Who needs it?

If you're traveling to areas of the world that have a higher risk of contracting yellow fever, the NHS recommends that you get vaccinated. In some specific circumstances, a Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory. It is important to note, however, that some people cannot receive the Yellow Fever vaccine.

Where is the Yellow Fever vaccination required?

The UK Government will be able to tell you the specific places that a Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory, and what kind of proof/certificate you will need.

The disease is most common in tropical locations in both Africa and parts of Central and South America.