A warning has been issued to ensure that Brits planning a vacation abroad do “at least” one thing four weeks before departure. This important process will help you stay safe and healthy while traveling.
In an update provided by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), health experts explained that people should consult with a health professional before travelling. This is to see if the location you are visiting requires a vaccine or tablet.
Importantly, this should be done “4-6 weeks” before the holidays.
The UKHSA explained: “Ideally, travelers should consult their GP, practice nurse, pharmacist, or travel clinic at least 4-6 weeks before travelling with the traveler, travel vaccine or malaria prevention tablet if they are related to their destination.”
It is also important for travelers.
Make sure your daily childhood vaccines are up to date Date recommended travel related vaccinations with the required medications including malaria prevention tablets, effective travel insurance to cover your travel and planned activities
This advice is because the latest data shows an increase in travel-related bowel fever cases (such as typhoid fever and peritoneal fever) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. There were 702 cases in 2024, an 8% increase from 2023 (645 cases).
“This represents the most cases ever recorded each year,” UKHSA said.
Free typhoid vaccinations are available from GP surgeries for some travelers, but there is no vaccine in the abdominal system.
Furthermore, imported malaria cases remain at a “level of concern” in the UK despite a slight decline in 2024 diagnosis from 2,106 in 2023.
Malaria is potentially fatal, but with proper anti-malaria tablets, it is almost completely preventable. If you know you're going to a country where malaria is known to be a problem, you can get a tablet from your GP, nurse, pharmacist, or a travel clinic before you go.
Malaria is mostly found in tropical regions.
Africa and Asiasiasian Central, the republics of the Americas of the South and South and the Haitiparts of the Pacific Islands of the Middle East
Dr. Philip Veal, UKHSA public health consultant, said: “We see high levels of infections such as malaria and typhoid fever when returning travelers. It is important for travelers to be vigilant and plan before they go abroad, whether they are visiting friends or relatives overseas or in places they visit frequently.
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“The Travel Health Pro website provides information on how to keep yourself and your family healthy, important drug therapy such as vaccines to take, anti-malarial tablets, and how to avoid gastrointestinal infections such as typhoid fever and hepatitis.
“If you're pregnant or are about to get pregnant, consult a healthcare professional before planning your trip.”
To find out which vaccinations are required for the countries you are visiting, visit Travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries.
