How long do travel vaccines last?
Some travel vaccines protect you for life, others need a booster every few years. Here's a clear guide to how long each one lasts and when a top-up is due — so you only pay for what you actually need. Bring your records and we'll confirm exactly where you stand.
Medically reviewed by Muhammad Adnan, Superintendent Pharmacist (GPhC 2073652) · based on NHS and NaTHNaC (TravelHealthPro) guidance · last reviewed June 2026.
Travel vaccine validity at a glance
| Vaccine | Typically lasts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | Life | One dose; the ICVP certificate is valid for life. |
| Hepatitis A | ~25 years | 1st dose covers ~1 year; a 2nd dose (6–12 months later) gives long-term cover. |
| Hepatitis B | Likely lifelong | After the full course; routine boosters aren't usually needed for healthy adults. |
| Typhoid (injection) | 3 years | Booster needed if you keep travelling to risk areas. |
| Tetanus / Diphtheria / Polio | 10 years | A combined booster if it's been 10+ years and you're travelling to a risk area. |
| Rabies (pre-exposure) | Long-lasting memory | No fixed booster interval for most; depends on ongoing risk. After a bite you still need prompt treatment. |
| Japanese Encephalitis | ~1–2 years, then ~10 with a booster | A booster at 12–24 months extends protection considerably. |
| Cholera (oral) | ~2 years (adults) | Shorter in young children; booster for continued risk. |
| Meningitis ACWY | ~5 years | Required for Hajj & Umrah; check the certificate window. |
| Tick-borne Encephalitis | ~3 years | After the primary course; boosters keep cover going. |
| MMR | Lifelong | Two doses give long-term protection. |
Durations are typical for healthy adults after the full recommended course and can vary with age, health and the schedule used — we confirm your booster timing individually.
Validity FAQ
Vaccine validity — your questions answered
For most people a single dose of Yellow Fever vaccine gives lifelong protection, and since 2016 the international certificate (ICVP) is also valid for life — you no longer need a booster every 10 years for the certificate. A small number of people (for example some who were vaccinated while pregnant or immunosuppressed) may be advised to have a further dose; we'll confirm this for you.
A single first dose of hepatitis A vaccine protects you for around a year. If you have a second dose 6 to 12 months later, protection extends to around 25 years — effectively long-term for most travellers. If you only had one dose before a past trip, you can usually still complete the course.
The injectable typhoid (Vi) vaccine lasts about 3 years. If you travel regularly to areas where typhoid is a risk, you'll need a booster every 3 years to stay protected.
Yes — protection from most travel vaccines fades over time, and the interval is different for each one (see the table above). The simplest way to know exactly where you stand is to bring your vaccination records to an appointment, or tell us what you've had and when; we'll work out what's still valid and what needs topping up before your trip.
The figures here are typical for healthy adults after the full recommended course. Your own timing can vary with your age, your health and immune system, exactly which schedule you had, and your destination's risk. That's why we always confirm your booster timing individually rather than going purely by the table.
Important: This is general information based on NHS and NaTHNaC (TravelHealthPro) guidance and is not a substitute for individual advice. Your exact booster timing is confirmed at your appointment. Sources: NHS — travel vaccinations · TravelHealthPro.
Not sure if you're still covered?
Bring your vaccination records to our Timperley clinic, near Manchester, and we'll tell you what's still valid and what needs a booster before your trip — no paying for jabs you don't need.