Thailand is usually low hassle for entry. Most travellers choose vaccines to protect their own health, based on where you are going and what you will do.

Book early if you can. Aim for 4 to 6 weeks before travel, and even if you are leaving soon, it is still worth an assessment.

A personalised travel risk assessment matters. Your itinerary, medical history, and previous vaccines change what is sensible.

Do you need vaccines to enter Thailand?

Entry requirements (certificates)

Most travellers do not need a vaccine certificate to enter Thailand.

A yellow fever certificate is only needed if you are arriving from a yellow fever risk country, or you have had a long transit in one. This is about where you have been, not about Thailand itself.

Recommended vs “required”

For most people, Thailand travel vaccines are recommended rather than required.

That means the focus is protecting you from infections linked to food, water, mosquitoes, animals, and gaps in access to medical care.

Step 1: Check your routine UK vaccinations

Before thinking about travel jabs, make sure your routine protection is up to date.

Common examples include MMR, diphtheria tetanus polio boosters, seasonal flu, and COVID 19 where appropriate. If you are unsure, bring any vaccine record you have, including NHS app history if available.

South Ealing Pharmacy can review what you have had and what may be due.

Vaccines most travellers are commonly advised to consider for Thailand

Use this checklist as a starting point. Your final plan depends on your route and risk.

• Hepatitis A
  
  Food and water exposure is common when travelling. Hepatitis A is widely recommended for unvaccinated travellers.
• Typhoid
  
  Worth considering if you will eat adventurously, travel outside main tourist areas, or spend time in smaller towns and rural settings.
• Tetanus booster considerations
  
  If your last dose was a long time ago, a booster may be sensible, especially if you will be far from reliable medical care or plan outdoor activities.

South Ealing Pharmacy offers Hepatitis A Vaccine (£48), Typhoid Vaccine (£30), and Diphtheria Tetanus Polio Vaccine (£36).

Vaccines to consider depending on itinerary, length of stay, and activities

Hepatitis B

Consider Hepatitis B if you may have higher risk exposure. This includes healthcare contact, tattoos or piercings, sexual exposure, contact sports, or longer stays.

South Ealing Pharmacy offers Hepatitis B Vaccine (£42) and Hep A and Hep B Vaccine (£85).

Rabies

Consider rabies vaccine if you will run, cycle, hike, or spend time in remote areas, or if you expect animal contact.

If you are bitten or scratched, wash the wound immediately with soap and running water for several minutes. Apply an antiseptic if you have one. Then seek urgent medical help straight away, even if you have had the rabies vaccine.

South Ealing Pharmacy offers Rabies Vaccine (£84).

Japanese encephalitis (JE)

JE risk is usually linked to rural areas and longer trips, especially if you are outdoors from dusk to dawn. It may also be considered if your itinerary is uncertain and you might end up in higher risk locations.

South Ealing Pharmacy offers Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine (£119).

Chikungunya and dengue vaccines

These are newer conversations in travel health. They may be considered for selected travellers after assessment, depending on age, length of stay, previous infection, and local risk at the time of travel.

Your consultation is the right place to discuss whether you are a candidate and what protection is realistic.

Cholera (usually not needed)

Cholera vaccine is not routinely recommended for most travellers to Thailand. It is usually reserved for people with specific higher risk plans.

South Ealing Pharmacy offers Cholera Vaccine (£48) if it is indicated for your trip.

Not injections, but essential for Thailand health planning

Malaria risk is area specific

Malaria risk varies by region. It is generally lower in large cities and many popular resort areas, but can be higher in some border and forested regions.

If you tell us your exact route, we can advise whether you may need malaria tablets and which option fits your health profile.

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Mosquito bite prevention

Mosquito bites matter in Thailand because diseases like dengue can occur.

Keep it practical.

• Use insect repellent on exposed skin
• Wear long sleeves and trousers when bites are likely
• Use nets or screened rooms when needed
• Consider permethrin treated clothing for heavy outdoor trips
• Check you have a plan for daytime biting mosquitoes too

When to book your travel jab appointment

Aim for 6 to 8 weeks before travel where possible. At least a month is a helpful minimum for many people, and 4 to 6 weeks is often used as a practical target.

This timing helps because your body needs time to build immunity. Some vaccines need more than one dose, spread over days or weeks.

If you are travelling soon, still book. Some protection is better than none, and a clinician can prioritise what will help most before departure.

Example vaccine plans

10 to 14 days (Bangkok plus Phuket or resorts)

Likely basics: routine UK vaccines check, Hepatitis A, consider typhoid depending on food plans.

Consider if: you will do day trips into rural areas, have animal contact, or plan outdoor activities.

Malaria assessment: usually route dependent, often not needed for standard city and resort trips, but confirm your exact stops.

3 to 4 weeks backpacking (north plus islands plus rural trips)

Likely basics: routine check, Hepatitis A, typhoid, consider tetanus booster.

Consider if: longer rural time, uncertain itinerary, frequent outdoor evenings, animal exposure, tattoos or piercings. This is where Hepatitis B, rabies, and JE are more often discussed.

Malaria assessment: more likely to be relevant, depending on border and forest areas.

Long stay, volunteering, or regular animal contact

Likely basics: routine check, Hepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus booster.

Consider if: Hepatitis B and rabies are often sensible for longer stays. JE may be considered if you will be in rural areas or outdoors in the evening.

Malaria assessment: essential if your work or travel includes higher risk regions.

FAQs

Do I need a yellow fever jab for Thailand?

Only if you are arriving from a yellow fever risk country, or you have had long transit through one. Most travellers from the UK do not need it.

South Ealing Pharmacy offers Yellow Fever Vaccine (£85) if you need a certificate.

How many injections will I need?

It depends on your vaccine history and risk. Some travellers need one or two jabs. Others need multi dose courses for things like Hepatitis B, rabies, or JE.

I’m travelling in 2 weeks. Is it too late?

No. Book now. You may still benefit from key vaccines and focused advice, and we can prioritise what matters most before you go.

Are travel vaccines free on the NHS?

Some travel vaccines may be available through your GP on the NHS, while others are usually private. Availability varies by practice. Pharmacies and private travel clinics can often offer faster access.

What if I’m pregnant or have a medical condition?

You may still be able to travel safely, but vaccine choices can change. Bring your medication list and any key medical details so we can advise appropriately.

Book your Thailand travel consultation in Ealing and West London

South Ealing Pharmacy offers a travel consultation that reviews your vaccines, checks your itinerary risks, and helps you plan a clear schedule. We can provide certificates when needed.

Available travel vaccines include HPV Vaccine (£192), Tick Borne Encephalitis Vaccine (£78), Typhoid Vaccine (£30), Hepatitis B Vaccine (£42), Hep A and Hep B Vaccine (£85), Rabies Vaccine (£84), Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine (£119), Cholera Vaccine (£48), Yellow Fever Vaccine (£85), Hepatitis A Vaccine (£48), plus specialty vaccines including Shingles Vaccine (£220), Meningitis B Vaccine (£118), Diphtheria Tetanus Polio Vaccine (£36), and Meningitis ACWY (£72). NHS Flu and NHS COVID 19 Vaccine are also available when eligible.

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