What is it for? Hepatitis A is a viral liver infection spread through contaminated food and water. Highly prevalent in Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and the Middle East.

How effective is it? A single dose is 94–100% effective within 2–4 weeks. A booster at 6–12 months provides lifelong protection.

Common side effects:

• Injection site soreness, redness or swelling (most common, resolves in 1–2 days)
• Mild headache, fatigue, or low-grade fever
• Serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) are very rare (<1 in 1,000,000 doses)

Contraindications: Known hypersensitivity to a previous dose. Defer if acutely unwell with fever.

What is it for? Hepatitis B is a viral liver infection transmitted through blood, sexual contact, and contaminated needles/equipment. Highly endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, East and Southeast Asia.

How effective is it? ~95% effective after the full 3-dose course. An accelerated schedule (0, 7, 21 days + booster at 12 months) is available for travellers with insufficient time.

Common side effects:

• Injection site soreness, redness, or induration
• Mild fatigue or headache (less common)

Combined vaccine: Twinrix® combines Hepatitis A and B in a single injection — a convenient 3-dose accelerated option if you need both.

What is it for? Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella typhi, spread through contaminated food and water. High risk in South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal), sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of Southeast Asia.

How effective is it? Approximately 60–80% protective after a single injection. Lasts 3 years. Oral typhoid vaccine (Vivotif®) is also available — more doses but similar efficacy. Food and water precautions remain essential even after vaccination.

Common side effects:

• Injection site pain and redness (very common)
• Headache, mild fever, malaise (less common)

Note: Typhoid vaccination does not protect against paratyphoid fever.

What is it for? Yellow Fever is a serious viral haemorrhagic fever endemic in tropical regions of Africa and South America. It is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. Case fatality rate can reach 20–50% in severe cases.

How effective is it? A single dose provides lifelong immunity in >99% of recipients. Protection begins 10 days after vaccination.

International Certificate: Under the International Health Regulations (IHR), an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP / "Yellow Card") is required for entry to many countries in Africa and South America, and is mandatory when travelling from Yellow Fever endemic zones. Kinsealy Medical Centre is a designated Yellow Fever vaccination centre. Your certificate is issued today and becomes valid after 10 days.

Common side effects:

• Mild headache, low-grade fever, myalgia (5–10% of recipients, days 5–10 post-vaccination)
• Injection site soreness
• Serious but very rare adverse events: Yellow Fever Vaccine-Associated Neurotropic Disease (YEL-AND) and Yellow Fever Vaccine-Associated Viscerotropic Disease (YEL-AVD)

Contraindications: Age <9 months, pregnancy (relative — discuss with GP), severe egg allergy, immunocompromised patients. These patients may be issued a medical exemption certificate instead.

What is it for? Meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis groups A, C, W and Y — a serious bacterial infection causing meningitis and septicaemia. High-risk areas include the African "meningitis belt" (sub-Saharan Africa) during dry season, and Hajj/Umrah pilgrims (vaccination mandatory for entry to Saudi Arabia).

How effective is it? Approximately 80–90% effective against covered serogroups. Duration of protection approximately 5 years.

Common side effects:

• Injection site pain and redness (common)
• Headache, fatigue, fever (less common, usually resolve within 2–3 days)

What is it for? Rabies is a universally fatal viral disease transmitted through bites, scratches or saliva from infected animals (dogs, bats, foxes, monkeys). Endemic in most of Asia, Africa, and parts of Central/South America. Over 95% of human deaths occur in Asia and Africa.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): 3 doses simplify post-exposure treatment — only 2 booster doses needed (rather than 5 + rabies immunoglobulin which may be unavailable in many countries). Especially important for: long stays (>1 month), rural or remote areas, children, backpackers, cyclists, veterinary workers.

How effective is it? Antibody response in virtually 100% of recipients. Booster may be needed after 5–10 years depending on risk. Post-exposure treatment is still required even if vaccinated — but the regimen is simpler and does not require immunoglobulin.

Common side effects:

• Local injection site pain, swelling (very common)
• Headache, dizziness, malaise (less common)

If bitten abroad: Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for ≥15 minutes, apply antiseptic, and seek medical care immediately regardless of vaccination status.

What is it for? Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne viral encephalitis (brain inflammation) — the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. Endemic in rural and agricultural areas of South, East, and Southeast Asia; highest transmission during and after monsoon season.

Who should get it? Travellers spending >1 month in rural endemic areas, or shorter trips with significant outdoor/rural exposure (cycling, camping, farming areas). Risk is very low for short-stay urban tourists.

How effective is it? ~96% seroconversion after 2 doses. The full 2-dose primary course must be completed ≥1 week before travel.

Common side effects:

• Injection site tenderness, headache, myalgia (common)
• Hypersensitivity reactions reported — observe for 30 minutes post-injection

What is it for? Dukoral provides protection against cholera (Vibrio cholerae O1) and also provides ~60% short-term protection against ETEC (the most common cause of travellers' diarrhoea). Useful for aid workers, those visiting cholera-endemic areas, or travellers who cannot accept any risk of TD.

How effective is it? 60–85% against cholera; ~60% against ETEC diarrhoea (short-term, up to 3 months). Food and water safety precautions remain essential alongside vaccination.

How is it taken? Each dose is dissolved in a glass of water and taken on an empty stomach. The 2 doses must be taken at least 1 week apart and completed ≥1 week before travel.

Common side effects:

• Generally very well tolerated
• Mild diarrhoea, nausea, or abdominal pain (uncommon)

Tetanus / Diphtheria / Polio (Td/IPV — Revaxis®): A booster is recommended every 10 years or before travel if the last dose was >10 years ago. Polio still circulates in parts of Africa and Asia — a booster within 12 months is required for entry to some countries.

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella — MMR-II® / Priorix®): All travellers should have 2 documented MMR doses. Measles is endemic in many regions and outbreaks are increasingly reported in Europe. MMR is a live vaccine — not for pregnancy or immunocompromised patients.

Varicella (Chickenpox — Varilrix® / Varivax®): Recommended for non-immune adults before travel, particularly those visiting tropical regions where varicella tends to be more severe in adults. Live vaccine — not for pregnancy or immunosuppressed patients.

Influenza (Flu): Recommended annually for all travellers, especially those visiting the southern hemisphere between April and September (when flu season is reversed), or attending large gatherings.

Common side effects (all): Injection site soreness, mild fever or rash (MMR/varicella — usually mild and brief). Serious reactions are very rare.