How long do travel immunisations last ?

Note: This information is intended as a guide for UK patients but you should always ask your healthcare provider for up to date information. How long travel immunisations last may depend on how the original course was given.

BCG vaccination against TB probably lasts for life and booster are never given.

Diptheria, Tetanus and Polio would normally be booster doses, which last 10 years.

Hepatitis A (as viatim, hepatyrix or havrix mono) gives for protection for up to 1 year. If a booster dose is given 6 months to 1 year after the 1st dose, protection will last 10 years.

Hepatitis B vaccination, if given over 6 months, lasts about 5 years. If given in a shorter period ( 2 months or 3 weeks), cover will only last 1 year and a booster is needed at 1 year for 5 year protection.

Meningitis A+C (meningivac) last between 3 and 5 years. (This is different from the vaccine used at school and in college for protection against meningitis strain C, which gives much longer protection.)

Rabies vaccination, if 3 doses are received, lasts between 2 and 5 years.

Typhoid (as vaccine typhim vi, viatim or hepatyrix) last 3 years.

Yellow Fever lasts 10 years.

Further information

This article published on
08 August 2005

Next review date 8/1/2013

Categorie(s)

Travel Advice
Immunisation
Travel problems

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Not applicable

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