Vaccine For Travelling:
Where, What & How
Why Do I Need Travel Vaccinations?
A vaccination stimulates the body’s natural defences against disease. Most vaccines are administered by injections (a few are administered orally). Modern vaccines cause few side effects or sickness and are generally very well tolerated.
If you are planning a trip abroad, you can reduce your risk of contracting certain illnesses by getting protective vaccinations in advance of travel. If you are travelling outside of Western Europe, North America, Australia, or New Zealand, you are likely to require vaccines.
How Do I Know What Travel Vaccinations I Need?
The travel vaccinations that you require will depend on several things including:
- Where you are travelling to
- Your medical history/ general health
- What activities you are planning
- Type of accommodation
- The purpose of your trip e.g., an aid volunteer will be exposed to more risk of disease than a holiday maker
Luckily, we have compiled a list of recommended vaccinations before travelling to certain areas.
Please note, this is only a guide and may vary depending on your individual situation and travel plans. We recommend that you check out travel vaccination information for more details on the specific area you will be travelling to.
Africa
If you are travelling to Africa, there are some vaccines that we may recommend you get before you travel, depending on where you are planning on visiting. These are:
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Poliomyelitis
- Hepatitis A
- Typhoid
You may need to consider Anti-Malaria Tablets to reduce your chances of contracting Malaria. If you require anti-malaria tablets, these can be prescribed as part of your Travel Health Assessment, subject to clinical suitability.
Additionally, you may want to consider getting Hepatitis B, Cholera, Meningitis, Rabies and Yellow Fever vaccinations before travelling to Africa to provide additional protection against diseases common in that part of the world. Please note we cannot provide a prescription for Yellow Fever.
Central/South America & Caribbean
If you are travelling to Central or South America & The Caribbean, there are some vaccines that we may recommend you get before you travel, depending on your specific travel plans. These are:
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Hepatitis A
- Typhoid
Additionally, you may want to consider getting Polio, Hepatitis B, Meningitis, Rabies and Yellow Fever vaccinations before travelling to Central/South America & The Caribbean to provide additional protection against diseases common in these regions. Please note we cannot provide a prescription for Yellow Fever.
We also advise that you get Anti-Malaria Tablets to reduce your chances of contracting Malaria. If you require, and are clinically suitable for anti-malaria tablets, these can be prescribed as part of your Travel Health Assessment.
Central/South Asia
If you are travelling to Central or South Asia, there are some vaccines that we may recommend you get before you travel, depending on what part you are visiting. These are:
- Tetanus
- Diptheria
- Hepatitis A
- Typhoid
Additionally, you may want to consider getting Polio, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Cholera and Rabies vaccinations before travelling to Central or South Asia to provide additional protection against diseases common in these regions.
It may be necessary to take Anti-Malaria Tablets if you are travelling to a high-risk malaria area. If you require, and are clinically suitable for anti-malaria tablets, these can be prescribed as part of your Travel Health Assessment.
South-East Asia
If you are travelling to South-East Asia, there are some vaccines that we may recommend you get before you travel. These are:
- Tetanus
- Hepatitis A
- Typhoid
- Diphtheria
Additionally, you may be advised to consider getting Polio, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies vaccinations before travelling to South-East Asia to provide additional protection against diseases common in this part of Asia, depending on your individual situation and risk.
- Polio
- Hepatitis B
- Japanese Encephalitis
- Rabies
We also advise that you get Anti-Malaria Tablets to reduce your chances of contracting Malaria, which will be determined by your travel plans. If you require, and are clinically suitable for anti-malaria tablets, these can be prescribed as part of your Travel Health Assessment.
How Far In Advance Do I Need Vaccines For Travelling?
Ideally, you should schedule a travel health assessment 8 weeks before your intended departure date, as you may need to begin your vaccination regimen well in advance.
You will also need adequate time to finish the prescribed vaccine regimen. Many common vaccinations must be administered at least 4-6 weeks before travel. Vaccinations will also take a few weeks to become effective, and some will require more than one dosage.
It is important to begin the process as soon as possible.
Do I Need Proof of Vaccination To Travel?
Some countries demand vaccination proof (for example polio or yellow fever), which must be recorded on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) before entering or leaving a country.
For example, visitors arriving in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages must provide proof of vaccination against certain forms of meningitis.
Even if an ICVP is not required, it is still a good practice to keep a record of your vaccines.
How Much Will It Cost To Get Vaccines For Travelling?
Costs may differ between pharmacies for travel vaccinations. We have compiled an approximate guide of price and dosage for the most common travel vaccinations.
Cholera (oral)
Approximate price per dose: €70
Usual number of dose(s): 2
Diphtheria, Tetanus & Polio (combined)
Approximate price per dose: €43
Usual number of dose(s): 1*
Hepatitis A
Approximate price per dose: €54
Usual number of dose(s): 1**
Hepatitis B
Approximate price per dose: €44
Usual number of dose(s): 3
Hepatitis A + Hepatitis B (combined)
Approximate price per dose: €67
Usual number of dose(s): 1**
Hepatitis A + Typhoid (combined)
Approximate price per dose: €74
Usual number of dose(s): 1**
Japanese Encephalitis
Approximate price per dose: €153
Usual number of dose(s): 2
Rabies
Approximate price per dose: €75
Usual number of dose(s): 3
Tick Borne Encephalitis
Approximate price per dose: €76
Usual number of dose(s): 2 / 3***
Typhoid
Approximate price per dose: €40
Usual number of dose(s): 1
Meningitis ACWY
Approximate price per dose: €69
Usual number of dose(s): 1
*In Ireland, the primary course of diphtheria, tetanus, and polio (DTP) vaccination is included in the routine vaccination programme. If you have already completed the primary course, you may require a booster dose if you have not had this vaccination within the last 10 years. If you have not already gotten a primary course, you may require extra vaccinations.
**Primary course does not include a booster.
***The correct dosage plan will be given at your doctor’s travel health consultation based on your travel dates.
Where Can I Get Vaccinations to Travel?
You can order a Travel Vaccination Assessment with Webdoctor.ie. Once your application has been accessed and you are happy to proceed with the vaccinations recommended for you, your prescription for travel vaccinations will be sent to a participating pharmacy of your choice. You can view the list here.
Where Can I Find More Travel Vaccination Information?
It is essential to get reliable travel health information. More information on your travel destination(s), as well as vaccine and health recommendations, can be found on Fit For Travel. Simply choose your country and follow the instructions to identify the region and travel health guidelines that apply to you.
Repeat Prescription
Travel Health Assessment
How Can I Request A Travel Health Assessment?
Requesting travel vaccine prescriptions couldn’t be easier with Webdoctor.ie! Simply fill in a short and secure medical questionnaire. Then, a travel health assessment will be carried out by one of our 40+ Irish-registered GPs to ensure the treatment is safe and suitable for you.
Once approved, we will send your vaccination prescription to the nearest participating pharmacy of your choice. We will also provide a phone number or web link to book an appointment online and have your vaccinations administered by this participating pharmacy.
Please note that payment for the vaccinations is made directly to the pharmacy when attending your appointment.
How It Works
Step 1
Online Questionnaire
Step 2
Medical Review
