Need Help Understanding Your Travel Vaccines? Read this.

Need Help Understanding Your Travel Vaccines? Read this.

15 / Jul


travel clinic in shoreditch

Your Passport to Healthy Travel

Going on a journey overseas? The thrill of exploring unfamiliar places, tasting exotic dishes, and embracing different ways of life is why we travel. But how we travel is important too – staying healthy during your trip is as important as packing your bags.

So, what do we need to do to stay safe abroad?

At Murrays Pharmacy in Shoreditch, our dedicated travel clinic prepares you thoroughly, ensuring you’re informed, vaccinated, and confident before you board your flight.

Preventing illness beforehand is far easier than treating it abroad. Our goal is to help you focus fully on enjoying your travels, rather than dealing with health problems once you arrive.

Why a Travel Clinic, and why us?

Travel clinics are dedicated health centres offering comprehensive advice and vaccinations specifically designed around travel-related health issues.

At Murrays Pharmacy, our pharmacists are trained travel health specialists who closely track international disease trends, vaccination recommendations, and safety guidelines for travellers.

This expertise allows us to offer precise health guidance based on the very latest global information, making sure you’re suitably prepared no matter where you’re headed.

Personalised Travel Health: One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Travel plans differ widely, and so do the health risks associated with them. A weekend in Paris brings a completely different set of health considerations than volunteering in rural Africa for a month.

Age, lifestyle, and planned activities also impact health needs significantly. A young backpacker trekking across South America faces different health challenges than a retiree embarking on a leisurely Mediterranean cruise.

Our team at Murray’s Travel Clinic in Shoreditch takes the time to understand your personal circumstances – your destinations, activities, and health history.

No generic online checklists here – we provide practical, individualised recommendations designed specifically for your journey, ensuring you’re covered for what you need.

Travel Vaccines in Shoreditch – Why Choose Murrays Pharmacy?

If you’re searching for travel vaccines in Shoreditch, Murrays Pharmacy is your trusted local expert, less than 10 minutes walk from Old Street Tube Station.

At Murrays Pharmacy, our trusted medical expertise comes with a warm welcome. We help you travel well — not just as a patient, but a person with preferences and a unique set of health needs.

Here’s what sets us apart:

📍 Easy to Access, Simple to Book
We’re conveniently located in the heart of Shoreditch, so you can reach us easily in working hours, and without GP delays. Booking months ahead or need a last-minute appointment? We’ll do our best to fit you in at a time that suits you.

🎓 Real Travel Health Expertise
Our pharmacists don’t just give jabs — they specialise in travel medicine. From disease outbreaks to country-specific entry rules, we stay informed so you don’t have to.

🌍 Everything Under One Roof
We offer a full range of travel vaccinations, malaria tablets, bite prevention kits, and health advice, tailored to your trip. Whether you’re heading to Hanoi or hiking Machu Picchu, we’ve got you covered.

👋 A Friendly Face, Every Time
No rushed appointments. We take time to explain what each vaccine does, what to expect, and how to make the most of your trip without unnecessary health risks. Don’t just take our word for it, check out our Google Reviews from real patients we’ve helped.

🔁 Ongoing Support
Need a booster reminder? Got a question after your trip? We’re still here. We’ll help you keep records up-to-date and stay protected for future adventures.

💉We are a designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre. Visit Murrays Pharmacy to get your vaccine and certificate in Hackney.

💡 Want to learn more about a specific vaccine?

Check out our vaccine specific guides, which you might soon recognise, contain EVERYTHING you need to know:

📖The Rabies Vaccine: Everything You Need To Know

📖Everything You Need to Know About The Chikungunya Vaccine

We’re in the process of creating more guides, so this list will change from time-to-time.

When Should I Get My Travel Vaccines?

It’s a question we hear all the time, and the best answer is: Ideally? About 6 to 8 weeks before you go. That gives your body time to build proper protection, especially if the vaccine needs multiple doses.

With Hepatitis A for instance, that first injection offers strong protection in about two weeks. Yellow fever? Ten days minimum before you’re covered (and before the certificate becomes valid for border checks).

Some vaccines aren’t just one-and-done. They come as a course of multiple injections over several weeks. For example, the rabies vaccine is a three-dose series spread over nearly a month. Japanese Encephalitis also needs two doses, spaced out. The earlier you begin, the better your protection.

And there’s peace of mind too. Getting vaccinated in good time means fewer last-minute worries. You can tick it off your list, deal with any minor side effects, and get on with trip prep knowing you’re sorted.

What If I’m Travelling at short-notice?

Life doesn’t always give us two months’ notice. Last-minute holidays, spontaneous trips, work travel…it happens. And that’s OK.

If you’re heading off soon, don’t assume it’s too late. There’s still a lot we can do for you at short notice. You’re always better with some protection than none.

Faster Schedules

Some jabs have an accelerated version.

Hepatitis B, for example, can be done in 21 days if you’re in a rush. Even if we can’t complete the whole course in time, a partial dose still offers some protection, again, better than none at all.

Typhoid? Ideally done in advance, but even if your flight’s in two days, it’s still worth having.

Protection from Dose One

Certain vaccines are highly effective straight away. That first shot of Hepatitis A gives solid protection, with the second just boosting long-term immunity. So yes, even if you’re boarding soon, with certain vaccines you benefit immediately.

If Travel Vaccines Aren’t an Option?

When time really is short and some jabs aren’t possible, we double down on advice.

No Japanese Encephalitis jab? We’ll run through mosquito bite prevention.

Didn’t get the rabies vaccine in time? We’ll explain exactly what to do if you get scratched or bitten abroad.

Knowledge becomes your safety net.

Last-Minute Essentials

Need help with travel health kits? Insect repellent, water purifiers, anti-malarials, rehydration sachets? Everything you need in travel protection, for anywhere you travel.

Final Thought

As soon as your trip is booked, check if you need travel jabs. The earlier, the better — but even the day before you fly, we can help. Call us, pop in, or book online. We’ll sort out what’s possible, explain your options, and make sure you’re as protected as you can be.

(For specific timing questions or unusual situations, see our FAQ section below – we address some common concerns like “What if I’m pregnant?” or “Do I really need all these vaccines?”.)

Here’s a Breakdown of All the Travel Vaccinations We Offer

Vaccine Price
Consultation (travel advice) £10
Cholera £29 per dose (2 doses required)
Diphtheria, Tetanus & Polio £35 (single booster dose)
Hepatitis A (Adult) £45 (single dose)
Hepatitis B (Adult) £40 per dose (multiple doses required)
Hepatitis A & B (Adult, combined) £80 (full course, multiple doses)
Hepatitis A (Paediatric) £45 (single dose)
Japanese Encephalitis £95 per dose (2 doses required)
Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) £45 (single dose)
Meningitis ACWY £45 (single dose)
Typhoid £35 (single dose)
Hepatitis B (Paediatric) £27 per dose (multiple doses required)
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) £180 per dose (3 doses required)
Whooping Cough £70 (single dose)

 

Which travel vaccines do I need for my trip?

That depends on where you’re going, how long for, and what you’ll be doing. Swapping London for another city for a short break? You might only need a few basics. Going full-remote digital nomad in Southeast Asia? You’ll likely need more protection. We’ll go through your itinerary with you and tailor it from there.

Use the NHS Fit For Travel tool to get a quick idea, then book your consultation to tailor the plan to your trip.

Got more questions? Check out our FAQs below. Still not covered? Give our friendly team a call.

Are travel vaccines mandatory?

Most aren’t, but a few are.

You’ll need proof of a yellow fever certificate in parts of South America and Africa. If you’re off to Hajj, or Umrah, Saudi Arabia requires the meningitis ACWY vaccine. We’ll let you know what’s essential for entry, and what’s just smart to have.

Do I have to pay for travel vaccines, or are they free?

At Murrays Pharmacy Travel Clinic, we provide all vaccines in one convenient place, with transparent pricing, which you can see in the table above. Find it cheaper elsewhere? Give us a call and we’ll try our best to match the price.

Can I get travel vaccines if I’m pregnant or have a health condition?

Usually yes, but we’ll always check first. Some vaccines are safe with pregnancy, like hepatitis A or tetanus. Others, we might only give if the risk is really high without it.

If you’ve got a long-term health condition, we’ll factor that in and can chat with your GP if needed. It’s all about keeping you protected safely.

What are the side effects of travel vaccines?

Most people are absolutely fine, maybe a bit of a sore arm, or slightly tired the next day. (No different from travelling back home on the tube, really.) Nothing major.

We’ll let you know what to expect based on which jabs you’re having. Got allergies (like to eggs)? Let us know so we can guide you properly.

Overall, the benefits far outweigh the risks. Side effects usually fade fast — but the protection lasts long after your trip ends.

Do travel vaccines guarantee I won’t get sick?

No vaccine is 100%, but they massively reduce your risk. Think of vaccinations like putting your health in an ISA, where risking the disease is like putting it on a bet. Don’t gamble with your health.

Some (like typhoid) aren’t bulletproof, so we’ll also give you advice on avoiding dodgy food, insect bites, and all the usual travel health hazards.

How do I book an appointment at Murrays Pharmacy Travel Clinic?
Easy! You’ve got three options:

Book Your Appointment

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This article was reviewed and approved by Superintendent Pharmacist : Chittal Ashvin Patel