your specific needs with a qualified travel health professional before travelling.
Whether you are heading to Southeast Asia for the first time or returning to a destination you know well, travel vaccination requirements in 2026 remain an essential part of trip planning. At our Chiswick, this guide is for general information only. Vaccine requirements and recommendations change regularly. Always confirm your specific needs with a qualified travel health professional before travelling. on Acton Lane, we provide personalised travel health consultations for patients from across West London, including Hammersmith, Brentford, Richmond and Fulham.
This guide explains what to consider, when to book, and which vaccines are commonly required or recommended for popular destinations.
When Should You Book Travel Vaccinations?
Book your travel vaccination appointment as early as possible — ideally six to eight weeks before departure. Some vaccines require more than one dose given over several weeks, and most require time to become fully effective. Yellow fever vaccination, for example, must be administered at least ten days before arrival in a country that requires the certificate.
Even if your trip is sooner than six weeks away, it is still worth attending a travel health consultation. Some vaccines can be administered in accelerated schedules and others take effect within days.
Mandatory vs Recommended Vaccines: What Is the Difference?
Mandatory vaccines are required by law for entry into certain countries. The most common is yellow fever — travellers arriving from countries where yellow fever is endemic must provide proof of vaccination. Saudi Arabia requires evidence of meningitis ACWY vaccination for pilgrims undertaking Hajj or Umrah.
Recommended vaccines are not legally required but are strongly advised based on the health risks at your destination. These are assessed individually during your travel health consultation and depend on your itinerary, accommodation type, planned activities and personal health history.
Vaccines Commonly Required or Recommended by Region
The following provides a general overview. Individual recommendations will be tailored during your consultation at Alisha Pharmacy.
• Europe and Mediterranean: Routine UK vaccines should be up to date. Hepatitis A is recommended for some destinations with lower sanitation standards.
• Southeast Asia: Hepatitis A, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis (for rural or extended stays), rabies (for adventure travel or longer trips), and routine vaccines.
• Sub-Saharan Africa: Yellow fever (often mandatory), hepatitis A, typhoid, meningitis and malaria prophylaxis (where relevant).
• South America: Yellow fever (mandatory for many areas), hepatitis A, typhoid.
• Indian subcontinent: Hepatitis A, typhoid, and consideration of Japanese encephalitis or rabies depending on itinerary.
For up-to-date, destination-specific guidance, the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) fitfortravel.nhs.uk resource is an authoritative reference our pharmacist team uses during consultations.
What Is Covered on the NHS and What Is Private?
Some travel vaccines are available free on the NHS, including hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera and polio boosters, where these are considered necessary for travel to specific destinations. Others — such as yellow fever, rabies, Japanese encephalitis and meningitis ACWY — are typically administered privately and are chargeable.
Our travel health team will confirm which vaccines are available on the NHS for your specific itinerary during your consultation, so you can plan accordingly.
What Happens at a Travel Health Consultation at Alisha Pharmacy?
Your consultation will typically last twenty to thirty minutes. Our pharmacist will review your destination, travel dates, planned activities and accommodation, alongside your personal vaccination and medical history. You will receive a tailored vaccination plan, advice on malaria prevention where relevant, and guidance on food and water safety and travel health essentials.
All vaccinations are administered on-site at our Chiswick travel clinic. We are an approved yellow fever vaccination centre.
Book Your Travel Health Appointment
Alisha Pharmacy’s travel clinic is conveniently located on Acton Lane, serving Chiswick, Hammersmith, Brentford, Kew and Richmond. We welcome walk-in enquiries and bookings. With summer holidays approaching and half-term in late May, appointments fill quickly — we recommend booking as soon as your travel dates are confirmed.
Q: Do I need travel vaccinations for Europe?
Most destinations in Western Europe do not require additional vaccinations beyond your routine UK immunisations. However, some Eastern European and Mediterranean destinations carry a low but real risk for hepatitis A. Your travel pharmacist will advise based on your specific destination and itinerary.
Q: Can I get travel vaccinations at short notice?
Yes. While six to eight weeks is ideal, we can often administer vaccines on an accelerated schedule for last-minute travellers. Contact us as soon as possible and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Q: What is an approved yellow fever centre?
Yellow fever vaccinations can only be administered by centres officially designated by the UK government. Alisha Pharmacy is an approved yellow fever vaccination centre, meaning we can issue the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) required for travel to certain countries.
Q: How much do travel vaccinations cost?
NHS-covered vaccines are free or dispensed at the standard prescription charge. Privately-funded vaccines vary in cost depending on the vaccine and the number of doses required. We will provide a full cost overview during your consultation before any treatment is administered.