Travel advice
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Travel advice
Guidance for British people travelling and living overseas following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). (Updated regularly)
Contents:
• Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice
• Before you go
• When you're abroad
• Returning to the UK
• Latest health advice
Source: www.gov.uk
Find out moreDemonstrating your COVID vaccination status with NHS COVID Pass
People living in England who have had a full course of the COVID-19 vaccine can demonstrate their COVID-19 vaccination status for international travel. A full course is currently two doses of the Moderna, AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccine, or one dose of the Janssen single-dose vaccine.
People can prove their vaccination status through the NHS COVID Pass service. An NHS COVID Pass shows your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination details or test results. This is your COVID-19 status. You may be asked to show your pass to get into some events, where the COVID Pass is being trialled, or to travel abroad.
Always check the entry requirements for the venue or the country you’re visiting.
Get a digital version
You can get a digital version using the NHS App or NHS website. You can download it as a PDF or get it sent to you in an email.
*You must be registered with a GP surgery in England to use the app and will need an NHS login to use this service.
Find out morePaper letter
You can get an NHS COVID Pass letter sent to you in the post. This show that you have been vaccinated against COVID-19. It does not show COVID-19 test results.
You can ask for a letter 2 weeks after having your 2nd dose of the vaccine. You should get it within 5 working days.
You can request this using the link below or by calling 119 if you're travelling in more than 4 weeks' time.
The paper version does not have an expiry date.
*You do not need to be registered with a GP surgery or have an NHS login for this.
Find out moreCannot use the NHS App for proof of vaccination?
If you are unable to use the NHS App for proof of vaccination status, there are other ways of obtaining a printout or letter to prove this via the NHS website*. You can request that this is posted to you by calling 119 or opt to print it at home.
The www.gov.uk website is very clear that GPs cannot provide letters showing COVID-19 status.
*You will need to have registered for an NHS login
If you are planning to travel to any foreign countries, you may need to make an appointment with the practice to discuss your travel arrangements. You will need to inform the practice which countries and areas you are visiting, which will determine what vaccinations are required.
It is important to check to see if you need any vaccinations before travelling and it’s best to book your appointment as soon as possible. You should plan to discuss your requirements with the surgery at least 6 weeks before you intend to travel. This will allow you to attend an appointment to receive your vaccinations in plenty of time as travel vaccines are not stocks vaccines and must be ordered. You should plan to receive your vaccinations at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work.
Please note: Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.
Although you may think travelling within Europe requires no vaccinations, check below as you should consider to be vaccinated against things like Tick-borne Encephalitis, Hepatitis and Typhoid.
Always ensure you have had an up-to-date Tetanus booster as well.
Europe & RussiaYou should ensure that your Tetanus vaccine booster is up-to-date when travelling.
You should also consider vaccinations against Diphtheria, Rabies and Hepatitis B when travelling to places such as Canada, Mexico and the United States of America.
North AmericaIf you are visiting places such as Costa Rica, Honduras or Panama, you should talk to your GP practice about checking your Hepatitis A and Tetanus vaccinations are up-to-date.
It’s a good idea to consider getting vaccinated against Rabies, Diphtheria and Yellow Fever.
Central AmericaTravelling to places like Peru, Brazil and Columbia means that you should check your Tetanus and Hep B vaccines are up-to-date.
You should talk to your GP about vaccines for Yellow Fever, Diphtheria, Rabies and Typhoid too.
South America & AntarcticaWhen travelling to the Caribbean, ensure you have had an up-to-date Tetanus vaccination.
You should talk to your GP about vaccinations against Diphtheria, Hepatitis B and Rabies when you are visiting somewhere like Jamaica, Barbados, Cuba or Saint Lucia.
CaribbeanIf you’re visiting the Seychelles you should consider vaccinations such as Hepatitis A & B.
Travellers going to Egypt or Tunisia should think about those as well, and also consider vaccines for things such as Rabies and Typhoid.
AfricaWhen visiting Saudi Arabia, it’s advised that you are vaccinated against Influenza, Meningococcal Meningitis and Poliomyelitis.
Other places such as United Arab States, Jordan and Bahrain advise you to consider vaccines for Diphtheria and Hepatitis A before travelling.
Middle EastTravellers who intend to visit places such as Afghanistan, Pakistan or Kazakhstan should talk to their GP practice about boosters for Tetanus as well as vaccinations for Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Typhoid, Poliomyelitis and Diphtheria.
Individuals at highest risk should speak to their GP about vaccines for Cholera and Tick-borne Encephalitis.
Central AsiaYou should be vaccinated against Tetanus and Hepatitis B when visiting somewhere like Hong Kong, Bangladesh or the Maldives.
It is advised that those at highest risk should have vaccinations for Cholera, Rabies and Japanese Encephalitis in some cases. Ask your GP for more information.
East AsiaEnsure that your Tetanus boosters are up-to-date when travelling to places such as Australia, New Zealand or Fiji!
You should also consider being vaccinated against Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis, Diphtheria and Hepatitis A & B.
Australasia & PacificIf you are travelling to Europe, here is some advice and guidance that you may find useful.
Taking this advice will ensure that you get the most out of your holiday!
You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you’ll be visiting on these websites:
Some countries require proof of vaccination, which must be documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) before you enter or when you leave a country.
Where do I get my travel vaccines?
Contact us on askmyGP or telephone 01469 572058 to find out whether your existing UK vaccinations are up-to-date. A GP or nurse may be able to give you general advice about travel health and vaccinations, such as protecting yourself from malaria.
They can give you any missing doses of your UK vaccines if you need them.
Other things to consider
There are other things to consider when planning your travel vaccinations, including:
• Your age and health - you may be more vulnerable to infection
• Working as an aid worker - You may come into contact with more diseases
• Working in a medical setting - You may require additional vaccinations
• Contact with animals - diseases can be spread quickly by animals
Always check you're up-to-date with routine vaccinations available on the NHS.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Speak to your GP before having any vaccinations if you’re pregnancy, think you may be pregnant or if you’re breastfeeding.
In many cases, it’s unlikely a vaccine given while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding will cause problems for the baby.
Your GP will be able to give you further advice about this.
People with immune deficiencies
For some people travelling overseas, vaccination against certain diseases may not be advised.
This may be the case if you have a condition that affects your body’s immune system such as HIV, you’re receiving treatment that affects your immune system, such as chemotherapy or if you have recently had a bone marrow or organ transplant.
A GP can advise you further on this.
Which travel vaccines are free?
The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS if your GP practice is signed up to provide vaccination (immunisation) services.
• Polio (given as a combined jab)
• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A
• Cholera
These vaccines are free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country.
Which travel vaccines will I have to pay for?
You'll have to pay for travel vaccinations against:
• Hepatitis B
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Meningitis vaccines
• Rabies
• Tick-borne Encephalitis
• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Yellow Fever
The cost of travel vaccines that are not available on the NHS will vary, depending on the vaccine and number of doses you need. It's worth considering when budgeting for your trip.
