Travelling Abroad? Here’s How to Prepare Your Health Before You Go
Planning a trip abroad is exciting, but it is easy to let travel health preparation slip to the bottom of the to-do list until the last minute. Vaccinations, medication supplies, and general health precautions can make a real difference to how safe and enjoyable your trip turns out to be, and some protections need time to take effect before you fly. At Hubert Figg Pharmacy, our Travel Clinic is here to help you prepare properly, well ahead of your departure date.
Why Travel Health Preparation Matters
Many of the diseases that travel vaccines protect against are rare or absent in the UK, which means our immune systems and routine vaccination schedule have not necessarily prepared us for the health risks present in other parts of the world. Depending on where you are travelling, you may be exposed to diseases spread through contaminated food and water, insect bites, or close contact with others, some of which can be serious or even life-threatening. Beyond vaccinations, factors such as altitude, climate, local healthcare access, and the length and nature of your trip can all affect the health precautions that are appropriate for you. Preparing in advance gives your body time to build immunity where needed and gives you time to plan for other practical considerations, such as medication supplies and travel insurance.
How Far in Advance Should You Plan?
Ideally, travel health preparation should begin at least four to six weeks before departure, since many vaccines take time to become fully effective and some require more than one dose spaced several weeks apart. That said, it is never too late to seek advice, even if you are travelling sooner, as some protection is often better than none, and there may still be useful precautions or last-minute vaccines available. If your trip includes multiple countries or a complex itinerary, allowing extra time is particularly helpful, as your pharmacist may need to consider several different sets of recommendations depending on your route.
Common Travel Vaccines and What They Protect Against
The vaccines recommended for your trip depend heavily on your destination, the length of your stay, your planned activities, and your personal medical history. Vaccines commonly considered for travel include protection against diseases such as hepatitis A, typhoid, and yellow fever, which are more prevalent in certain regions and can be spread through contaminated food or water. Depending on your destination and how you plan to spend your time there, such as rural travel, animal contact, or extended stays, other vaccines like rabies or Japanese encephalitis may also be discussed. Because recommendations vary so much by destination and can change over time, it is important to get advice specific to your trip rather than relying on general assumptions or advice given for a previous journey to a different country.
Malaria Prevention
Malaria is a serious, potentially life-threatening disease spread by mosquito bites, and it remains a risk in many popular travel destinations, particularly across parts of Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. Unlike many other travel-related illnesses, there is no vaccine against malaria, so prevention relies on a combination of avoiding mosquito bites and, where appropriate, taking antimalarial medication. Bite avoidance measures include using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and trousers in the evening, and sleeping under a mosquito net or in air-conditioned accommodation where possible. Whether antimalarial medication is needed, and which type is most suitable, depends on your specific destination and travel plans, so this is something we can discuss with you individually during your consultation.
How Our Travel Clinic Works
Our Travel Clinic consultation starts with a detailed discussion of your trip, including your destination or destinations, how long you will be away, the time of year you are travelling, your planned activities, and your accommodation type, as all of these factors influence the advice and vaccines that are appropriate for you. We will also review your medical history, current medicines, and vaccination record, since some vaccines are not suitable for everyone and previous immunisations may still be providing protection. Based on this assessment, we will explain which vaccines and precautions are recommended for your specific trip, and where appropriate, administer vaccines or provide a prescription for antimalarial medication during your visit.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
To make your consultation as thorough and efficient as possible, it helps to bring details of your full itinerary, including all countries and regions you plan to visit, along with any previous vaccination records you have available. Let us know about any existing medical conditions, allergies, and current medicines, as well as whether you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any immune system concerns, since these can all affect which vaccines and medications are suitable. If you have had any reactions to vaccines in the past, it is helpful to mention this too, so we can take extra care in planning your protection this time.
| Bring to Your Appointment | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Full travel itinerary | Ensures advice is tailored to every country and region you will visit |
| Previous vaccination history | Helps avoid unnecessary repeat vaccines and identify any gaps in protection |
| List of current medicines | Allows us to check for interactions with any recommended treatments |
| Details of allergies or reactions | Helps us select the safest options for you |
Beyond Vaccines: Other Travel Health Considerations
Travel health is about more than just vaccines. Adequate travel insurance that covers medical treatment abroad is essential, particularly for destinations without reciprocal healthcare agreements with the UK. If you take regular medication, it is worth planning ahead to ensure you have enough for your trip, along with a copy of your prescription in case you need to explain your medicines at customs or seek replacements abroad. A basic travel health kit, including items such as plasters, rehydration sachets, and any regular medicines you take, can also be invaluable, particularly in more remote destinations. It is also worth checking whether your destination has specific food and water safety precautions, as traveller’s diarrhoea remains one of the most common travel-related health issues worldwide.
Who Can Use This Service
Our Travel Clinic is suitable for most travellers, though certain circumstances need extra consideration. Pregnant or breastfeeding travellers, those with weakened immune systems, and people with certain chronic health conditions may need a more tailored approach, and some destinations or vaccines may not be suitable in these circumstances. Our pharmacist will discuss your individual situation with you and, where necessary, refer you to a specialist travel medicine service for more complex cases.
Why Choose Hubert Figg Pharmacy?
Preparing for travel health should not add stress to your trip planning. Our pharmacists stay up to date with current travel health guidance and destination-specific risks, offering a convenient, one-stop appointment where you can get tailored advice, vaccines, and antimalarial medication all in one visit. You can find further general travel health guidance on the NHS travel health page and the NHS travel vaccinations page.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How early should I book my travel health appointment?
Ideally four to six weeks before you travel, though it is worth booking as soon as you know your destination, since some vaccines require more than one dose over several weeks.
2. Are travel vaccines available on the NHS?
Some travel vaccines are available free on the NHS, while others are only available privately, depending on the vaccine and your destination. We will explain the options and any costs during your consultation.
3. Do I need malaria tablets for every destination?
No, this depends entirely on your specific destination, the regions you will visit, and the time of year, as malaria risk varies considerably around the world. We will assess this individually for your trip.
4. What if I am travelling to multiple countries?
Let us know your full itinerary, as recommendations can differ between countries, and we will build a plan that covers your entire trip.
5. Can children use the Travel Clinic?
Yes, we can advise on travel health for children, though certain vaccines and medications have specific age restrictions, which our pharmacist will take into account during your consultation.
Book Your Appointment
Don’t leave your travel health preparation until the last minute. Book an appointment with our pharmacist today, or visit our Travel Clinic service page for more information.
A pharmacist reviews the content to help ensure medicines are presented responsibly and that patient-facing health information is accurate, appropriate, and aligned with current clinical guidance.
Last reviewed: 10 September 2026
Written on behalf of Hubert Figg Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.