Why vaccination is important and the safest way to protect yourself

Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent many infectious diseases. 

Vaccination is the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and our children against ill health. They prevent millions of deaths worldwide every year.

Since vaccines were introduced in the UK, diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus that used to kill or disable millions of people are either gone or are now very rarely seen.

Other diseases like measles and diphtheria have reduced to a very low number of cases each year since vaccines were introduced. These cases are often related to travel.

However, if people stop having vaccines, it's possible for infectious diseases to quickly spread again.

Information: The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed vaccine hesitancy as one of the biggest threats to global health.

Travel vaccination advice

If you’re travelling outside the UK, you may need extra vaccinations to protect you against serious diseases found abroad.

Travel vaccines can protect against infections such as yellow fever, typhoid and hepatitis A.

Your routine NHS vaccinations may not cover all infections found overseas.

Book an appointment with your GP or a private travel clinic 6 to 8 weeks before you travel, as some vaccines need further doses and time to work.

You may be at higher risk if you’re:

  • travelling in rural areas
  • backpacking
  • staying in hostels or camping
  • travelling for a long time (for example, not just a package holiday)

A pre-existing health condition can also increase your risk of infection or complications from a travel-related illness.

Check which vaccines are recommended for your destination on the Travel Health Pro website. You can also find travel vaccination advice on the NHS website.

The MenACWY vaccine

The MenACWY vaccine helps protect against life-threatening illnesses like meningitis and sepsis. It's offered to teenagers in school but can be given up to the age of 25 if it's been missed.

It's also available for some people who are at increased risk of getting meningitis because of:

  • a medical condition
  • work
  • travel
  • close contact with someone who's infected

Meningitis can spread very quickly in places like universities and colleges.

Make sure all your vaccinations are up to date before starting university or college, including the MenACWY vaccine and both doses of the MMR vaccine.