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ELIGIBILITY GUIDES ยท UK

Vaccine eligibility: who can have what, and when it is free

Every guide sets out the published UK criteria in one place: minimum age, NHS versus private availability by age group, pregnancy guidance, who should not have it, and how long protection lasts.

Seasonal vaccines

Offered every autumn and winter. NHS eligibility is set each season; everyone else can pay privately.

Routine & family vaccines

Part of the NHS schedule for children and teenagers, with catch-up doses for adults who missed them.

Travel vaccines

Depends on where you are going and what you will do there. Some are free from your GP; most are private.

Yellow fever vaccine

From 9 months for travel to risk areas in Africa and South America. Extra care over 60. A live vaccine, so not given in pregnancy. Private only, at registered centres.

From 9 monthsPrivate onlyNot in pregnancy

Hepatitis A vaccine

From 12 months. For travel to countries with poor sanitation and for people at higher risk. Free from your GP for travel. Not live, so can be given in pregnancy.

From 12 monthsNHS for eligible groupsOK in pregnancy

Hepatitis B vaccine

From birth. Part of the NHS baby schedule since 2017; for adults it is a travel and occupational vaccine. Not live, so can be given in pregnancy.

From birthFree on NHS for some agesOK in pregnancy

Typhoid vaccine

Injection from age 2 (from 1 year after a risk assessment); oral capsules from age 5. For travel to South Asia, Africa and Latin America. Free from your GP for travel.

From 2 yearsNHS for eligible groupsOK in pregnancy

Rabies vaccine

No minimum age. For travellers to remote areas and anyone likely to have contact with animals abroad. Not live, so can be given in pregnancy. Private only for travel.

Any ageNHS for eligible groupsOK in pregnancy

Cholera vaccine (Dukoral)

From age 2. An oral vaccine for travellers to areas with outbreaks or poor sanitation, especially aid workers. Free from your GP for travel.

From 2 yearsNHS for eligible groupsOK in pregnancy

Japanese encephalitis vaccine (Ixiaro)

From 2 months of age. For longer or rural stays in South and East Asia. Two doses before travel. Not live. Private only.

From 2 monthsPrivate onlyPregnancy: ask first

Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine (TicoVac)

From age 1. For walking, camping or working in forested parts of Europe and Asia in spring and summer. Not live, so can be given in pregnancy when needed. Private only.

From 1 yearPrivate onlyOK in pregnancy

Chikungunya vaccine (Vimkunya and Ixchiq)

From age 12 (Vimkunya) or 18 to 59 (Ixchiq). For travel to areas with a current outbreak, or frequent and long-stay travel where the virus circulates. Private only.

From 12 yearsPrivate onlyNot in pregnancy

General information only. These guides reproduce published UK criteria from the UKHSA Green Book, the NHS and product licences. They are not medical advice, and the clinician at your appointment confirms whether a vaccine is right for you.